• The HM Bark Endeavour arrived in Botany Bay on 29 April 1770 under the command of Captain James Cook. • The Endeavour landed at Kurnell - the southern bank of Botany Bay. • Captain James Cook's cousin Isaac Smith was the first European to set foot in Eastern Australia. • Forby Sutherland, a crew member on the Endeavour died while the ship was in Botany Bay and was the first European to be buried in Eastern Australia. • The First Fleet arrived between 18 January 1788 and 20 January 1788 under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. • Captain Cook and other journal keepers initially called it Sting Ray Harbour. • Joseph Banks and Dr Solander due to the great quantity of plants named the bay Botanist Bay. This soon became Botany Bay. • Botany Bay is ten kilometres from Sydney Harbour. • Botany Bay has evidence of aboriginal settlements dating back 5000 years • The Aboriginal people living in the area between Cooks River and Georges River were the Bidjigal clan, on the southern shores of the bay were the Gweagal clan and on the northern shore was the Kameygal clan. There are a series of plaques and monuments on the Kurnell Peninsular dedicated to the original inhabitants and the arrival of the first Europeans to set foot in Eastern Australia.

Captain Cook’s Landing