Imagine...

Imagine you are an Aboriginal person from the Gweagal clan of the Dharawal speaking people, living by a bay known as Kamay, 250 years ago.

Your people have been here for many thousands of years, living and working at one with the land. You know how to care for the land respectfully, you have a strong connection to your culture and a deep knowledge of the environment.

It is beautiful land that provides you with food, shelter and anything else you need. You and your people are happy.

All of a sudden, you see something huge and strange floating towards you through the heads of the bay. You and your family go to have a closer look. Is it a low-lying cloud? A large bird? Can you see people on board, or are you watching enormous possums?

Have a look at what the land looks like today. Picture what it might have looked like 250 years ago, then imagine being there, seeing something like you've never seen before coming towards you across the bay.

Now imagine...

Now imagine you are a British sailor in April 1770.

You are on a major ocean voyage of science and discovery in the Pacific Ocean. You're one of almost a hundred men aboard HMB Endeavour - including officers, sailors, tradesmen, marines and several civilians and their servants.

You sailed from England on 26 August 1768. You've already been to Tahiti to track the Transit of Venus, searched for the fabled Great South Land and spent many months mapping New Zealand. Your captain has chosen to sail home via the eastern coast of New Holland. You've been at sea for a month and the captain is hoping to find a safe place to stop for fresh water, firewood and other essential supplies.

The Endeavour is now sailing through the heads of a wide, calm bay. You have seen smoke from fires all along the coast. What will the inhabitants of this place be like?

Have a look at the replica of the Endeavour. Picture yourself standing on deck on that day 250 years ago as the anchor is dropped and the landing vessels are ready to take you ashore ...

Before the eight days

In order for you to truly understand the differing perspectives of the Aboriginal people and the Europeans during the eight days that the Endeavour was in Kamay Botany Bay, you first need to understand that:

• The Gweagal had been at Kamay for many thousands of years, living on the shores of the bay.

• The Endeavour anchored in the bay to resupply essential provisions for the voyage home to England—the ship had already sailed across 30,000 kilometres of open ocean, over a 20 month period, prior to arriving at Kamay.

You will learn more about the Gweagal, the men on the Endeavour and the first contact between the two cultures as you read on.