Australia Day: It's complicated

Coinciding with the fireworks and backyard barbeques a national debate often rages over the history and meaning of Australia Day.

Professor Jane Lydon, Wesfarmers Chair in Australian History at The University of Western Australia, said there are often misconceptions about the history of the day.

“The First Fleet actually arrived on Australian soil on the 18 of January 1788 but didn’t like it– so they moved the whole fleet around the corner to Sydney Cove,” Professor Lydon said. “The French arrived 5 days later, under La Perouse.”