13 may 1787-The first fleet leaves england for australia led by captain arthur phillip
18 January 1788-Captain Arthur Phillip reaches Botany Bay but doesn't find it suitable
21 January 1788-Captain Arthur Phillip explores port jackson now commonly know as Sydney Harbour
26 January 1788-Captain Arthur Phillip moves the fleet to sydney cove and raises the flag to claim to land for britain
November 1789 James Ruse is the first ex-convict to get a land grant
1790-famine strikes the colony and nearly half the colony dies
June 1790-The arrival of the second fleet
july 1791-The third fleet arrives
1803-Settlement established in Van Dieman's Land.
1803-Matthew Flinders becomes first explorer to sail around Australia.
1810-Governor Lachlan Macquarie arrives in NSW.At this time there were nearly 12 000 people of British origin in the colonies of NSW and Van Diemen's Land.