Early Europeans had long believed in the existence of a great southern land, but it was not until 1606 that Dutch explorer William Jansz - in the ship the Duyfken - made it this far south, and confirmed that there was indeed land in the uncharted southern seas.

Throughout the 17th century many others sailed by the land that had become known as New Holland, but seeing little to arouse anything other than a passing interest the land remained uncharted.

In 1770 James Cook sailed along the east coast of Australia, landing at Botany Bay with his crew from the Endeavour. He also passed the entrance of what was to become Sydney Harbour. This was an historically significant moment, as it was because of his positive reports that the First Fleet was sent from England later in that decade. It is still unclear as to why Cook chose to name the land New South Wales, but the name was adopted in an official capacity at that time.

For the Aboriginals, the arrival of Cook and his party was an enormous upheaval. For thousands of years they had lived their lives unaware of the existence of an outside world. Australian Aboriginals had led an isolated and contented life: these nomadic people had hunted, fished and foraged for food, while holding great respect for the land and its bounty.

The arrival of white man caused dramatic changes; disease, destruction and racial hatred soon followed. Within three years of the arrival of the First Fleet the Aboriginal population was reduced by two-thirds through smallpox, influenza, and violent death. A fascinating spiritual and cultural life where beliefs were based on the Dreamtime teachings - that man, animals, nature and the land are bound inseparably- was displaced and regarded as inferior. The Aboriginal culture was very different to that of the early settlers, and lack of knowledge resulted in the Europeans considering them a threat. Today race relations continue to be strained.

It was not until the late 1770s that New South Wales featured in the plans of the British. The American colonies had been used as a penal settlement, however the revolution in 1776, combined with the hostilities in West Africa and the growing penal population in the prison hulks on the Thames, gave rise to the suggestion that New South Wales could serve a similar role.

Britain needed a new 'dumping ground', and a colony in the south was perhaps an ideal solution that could also prove to be strategically - if not commercially - useful. By 1787 the plan had been finalised, and New South Wales was to become a penal colony and Britain's furthest outpost.

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