what were the first colonists in australia
The first colonies and their governors. When the British first settled Australia at Port Jackson in New South Wales in 1788, they were only interested in the eastern part of the continent which had been claimed as a British colony in 1770 by Captain James Cook. He named it New South Wales.hen the British first settled Australia at Port Jackson in New South Wales in 1788, they were only interested in the eastern part of the continent which had been claimed as a British colony in 1770 by Captain James Cook. He named it New South Wales.