La Perouse

Henry Head, La Perouse

Located on the northern side of Botany Bay, La Perouse was named after Le Compte de Laperouse, a French explorer who arrived here in 1788.La Perouse is located about 14 kilometres south-east of the Sydney CBD.

La Pérouse’s two ships sailed to New South Wales after some of his men had been attacked and killed in the Navigator Islands (Samoa). La Pérouse arrived off Botany Bay on 24 January just six days after Captain Arthur Phillip (1738-1814) had anchored just east of Bare Island, in H.M. Armed Tender Supply. On 26 January 1788, as Arthur Phillip was moving the First Fleet around to Port Jackson after finding Botany Bay unsuitable for a Settlement, La Pérouse was sailing into Botany Bay,anchoring there just eight days after the British had.

The British received La Pérouse courteously, and offered him any assistance he might need. The French were far better provisioned than the English were, and extended the same courtesy; but neither offer was accepted. La Pérouse sent his journals and letters to Europe with a British ship, the Sirius. A scientist on the expedition, Father Receveur, died in February and was buried at what is now known as La Perouse.


Visit the La Perouse museum containing maps, scientific instruments and relics recovered from the French explorers. From the museum, there is a great walking trail to the Endeavour Lighthouse (Henry Head), offering spectacular views across the bay to the site of Captain Cook's landing place.

Bare Island bridge, La Perouse

La Perouse Museum

Monument for memory of Monsieur de La Perouse