<P> On 13 May 1787 , the First Fleet of 11 ships and about 1,530 people ( 736 convicts , 17 convicts ' children , 211 marines , 27 marines ' wives , 14 marines ' children and about 300 officers and others ) under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip set sail for Botany Bay . A few days after arrival at Botany Bay the fleet moved to the more suitable Port Jackson where a settlement was established at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788 . This date later became Australia 's national day , Australia Day . The colony was formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip on 7 February 1788 at Sydney . Sydney Cove offered a fresh water supply and a safe harbour , which Philip famously described as : </P>
<P> On 13 May 1787 , the First Fleet of 11 ships and about 1,530 people ( 736 convicts , 17 convicts ' children , 211 marines , 27 marines ' wives , 14 marines ' children and about 300 officers and others ) under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip set sail for Botany Bay . A few days after arrival at Botany Bay the fleet moved to the more suitable Port Jackson where a settlement was established at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788 . This date later became Australia 's national day , Australia Day . The colony was formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip on 7 February 1788 at Sydney . Sydney Cove offered a fresh water supply and a safe harbour , which Philip famously described as : </P>
when did the first english settlers come to australia
when did the first english settlers come to australia
1788
1788