It was originally planned that the First Fleet convicts and their guards were to settle at Botany Bay.
Upon arrival it was found there was no easy access to fresh water at Botany Bay, while Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) just to the north, had plenty.
Botany Bay was useful as a port, the fort at Bare Island was built to protect Sydney and the port from attack. The fort was built in five years and completed in 1885, work inside the fort did not begin till 1889.
Poor construction materials used in the building of the fort and its many tunnels caused parts of it to crumble even before the complex was finished. Guns were installed, but outdated soon thereafter and it was decommissioned as a fort by 1902.
The Cronulla Beaches, a long set of beaches along the Sydney coast just south of Botany Bay Cronulla Beach Sydney Australia.
Photo: Entrance to Botany Bay
Greater Sydney Map
Map showing Botany Bay and the Cronulla Beaches Greater Sydney Map.
Sydney hotels in the city and surrounding suburbs including Bondi Beach - luxury international hotels to beachside apartments, hostels and bed & breakfasts.
