One of the primary destinations for transported convicts was Australia, specifically the penal colony established at Botany Bay in New South Wales, which began in 1788.

26th January is the official national day of Australia and marks the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships and the raising of the Union flag at Sydney Cove. Australia continues to recognise the ...

The first 736 convicts banished from England to Australia landed in Botany Bay. Over the next 60 years, approximately 50,000 criminals were transported from Great Britain to the "land down under," in ...

Unsatisfied with Botany Bay as a suitable site to establish a colony, on January 21 Phillip led a small party in three boats to explore other options further north.

When it finally reached Botany Bay, however, this insect-ravaged party could find no men to decapitate. Back they trudged to Sydney Cove, only to be ordered out again, to no better advantage. “To our ...

In 1790 King was sent back to Britain to report on the condition of the colony and in his 20-month absence the island was run by Lt Gov. Major Robert Ross who was more strict than King. After the ...