Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse
The expedition continued to Australia, arriving off Botany Bay on 24 January 1788. There Lapérouse encountered a British convoy (known later as the "First Fleet") led by Captain Arthur Phillip RN, who was to establish the penal colony of New South Wales. While it had been intended that the colony would be located at Botany Bay, Phillip had quickly decided that the site was unsuitable and the colony would instead be established at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson. High winds – which had hindered Lapérouse's ships in entering Botany Bay – delayed the relocation until 26 January (later commemorated as Australia Day).
First Fleet Re-enactment Voyage
At 05:30 on Australia Day (26 January), the Reenactment fleet sailed from Botany Bay. Four hours later, the ships entered Sydney Heads. Their arrival to the moorings off Farm Cove coincided with Prince Charles' speech on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. An estimated 3,000 vessels were on Sydney Harbour to welcome the fleet.