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S
ometimes one discovers something
amazing when one least expects it. Other
times, it takes a second look to realise
that what one was searching for was right in
front of one's nose. The finding of possibly the
most beautiful, and certainly the largest, natural
harbour in the world, Sydney Harbour, occurred
in just such a way.
The first Europeans to see the eastern coast
of Australia, as we may recall from our school
days, arrived in 1770 led by James Cook aboard
HMS Endeavour, and entered what we now
know as Botany Bay – obviously a good arrival
and departure point as this is now the locale of
Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport. Lieutenant
(later Captain) Cook and botanist Joseph Banks
reported back to England and it was decided to
establish a British colony at Botany Bay.
After a journey of three months and 20,000kilometres, the First Fleet of eleven ships, led by
the flagship HMS Sirius, carrying more than 1300
people (many of whom, of course, were convicts)
arrived in 1788. The decision was quickly made by
Captain Arthur Phillip to forego Botany Bay and
instead relocate a few miles further north to what
is now, Sydney Harbour.
Phillip rightly perceived a better option to
be Port Jackson – to give the harbour its official
title – which had been sighted but not explored
by Cook in 1770, and named in honour of the
Admiralty Secretary, Sir George Jackson.
Port Jackson offered better access to fresh
water, better surrounding soil, a safer anchorage,
and because of its deeper water it allowed for
easier loading and unloading of ships without the
need for big wharves. Just eight days after arriving
in Australia, the First Fleet sailed into Port
Jackson on the January 26, 1788.“Just eight days after arriving in
Australia, the First Fleet sailed into Port
Jackson on the January 26,1788.”