<P> The 11 ships of the First Fleet set sail on 13 May 1787 . The leading ship , HMS Supply reached Botany Bay setting up camp on the Kurnell Peninsula , on 18 January 1788 . Phillip soon decided that this site , chosen on the recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks , who had accompanied James Cook in 1770 , was not suitable , since it had poor soil , no secure anchorage and no reliable water source . After some exploration Phillip decided to go on to Port Jackson , and on 26 January the marines and convicts landed at Sydney Cove , which Phillip named after Lord Sydney . </P>
when did the first fleet arive in australia
1788