First Fleet of South Australia facts for kids

In 1836, a group of ships sailed from England to the south coast of Australia. These ships carried the very first European settlers who came to set up the new city of Adelaide and the area known as South Australia.

Even though these ships didn't all sail together, people often call them the "First Fleet of South Australia". This is because they all brought the important people who planned and managed the new colony, as well as the first families and individuals who wanted to start a new life there. All these ships were part of the big event when the new province was officially announced.

Who Sailed to South Australia?

After an important meeting in London on June 30, 1834, people learned all about the plans for the new Colony of South Australia. Hundreds of people who wanted to move there started asking questions at the South Australian Association's office in London.

The ships that sailed in 1836 carried people who wanted to emigrate, as well as staff from the South Australian Company (a private business). They also brought people chosen by the British Government to help set up the new British Province of South Australia.

For people who worked in jobs like farming or building, the trip was free! But there were rules: they had to be between 15 and 30 years old, it was better if they were married, and they needed two references from people who knew them.

Other passengers paid for their tickets:

• A basic ticket (called steerage) cost about £15-20.
• A middle-level ticket cost £35-40.
• A cabin class ticket (the most expensive) cost £70.
• Children under 14 paid £3, and babies under 1 year old traveled for free.

The Journey of the First Ships

In January 1836, four ships sailed from England. They were sent by the South Australian Company, ahead of the main group organized by the South Australian Colonization Commission. This Commission was a special group set up by the government to manage the new colony.

These first four ships set up a small settlement at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island in July 1836. But they soon found that farming there was very difficult. So, both the settlement and the Company's activities moved to the mainland of Australia.

Overall, four ships were sent by the South Australian Company. Three others were rented by the Colonization Commission, and two more were rented by private groups. These ships started leaving England from January to June 1836. They arrived on the South Australian coast between July and December of that year. Most of them first landed on Kangaroo Island. The new province was officially announced on December 28 at Glenelg.

It's a bit tricky for historians to make a perfect list of all the first ships. This is because old records weren't always kept well, and some were lost. But the list below is based on the best information we have, showing when each ship arrived in South Australia.