Norfolk Island First Fleet

Norfolk Island has some of the most important and sought after artefacts belonging to the First Fleet that brought the first European settlers to the east coast of Australia.  HMS ‘Sirius’, captained by John Hunter was the flagship of the First Fleet and played a vital role in supplying the fledgling colony in its early years. 

Tragically, she was wrecked on the reef off the southern coast of Norfolk Island in March, 1790, causing a chain of disasters both on the island and in New South Wales. 

Today the Sirius Museum in World Heritage listed Kingston on Norfolk Island is home to a fascinating collection of artefacts that archeological divers have retrieved from the wreck. 



They tell a story, not just about this valiant little vessel but about the British navy of the time. 

On March 6, Norfolk Island celebrates Foundation Day, remembering the hand-picked group of convicts and marines from the First Fleet who settled the island just six weeks after Captain Arthur Phillip landed at Botany Bay.

It’s a time when First Fleeters descend on Norfolk Island and family reunions take place to celebrate the founding of this little Pacific paradise and the building blocks of their Australian heritage.

Website: www.norfolkisland.com.au or phone 0800 norfolk.