This book is one of the first books to be published on the penal colony established in New South Wales in 1788. It consists of John White's journal, kept while serving as surgeon with the 'First Fleet' to Australia. As surgeon, White's skills ensured that out of almost 1,500 people on the voyage only 34 died. On the establishment of the colony at Sydney, White also helped to build a hospital and pursued his interests in natural history.
He sent his journal back to Britain in November 1788 and it is likely that it was edited prior to publication by his friend Thomas Wilson. The book contains 65 engravings that illustrated the natural history of the area and the development of the colony to a public interested in the progress of the endeavour.