THE sheltered bay where Captain James Cook discovered Australia is to get a £1.8m facelift to preserve it as a historically significant site.
The Middlesbrough-born explorer sailed the Endeavour into Botany Bay, landing on April 29, 1770.
New South Wales state premier Bob Carr said the bay, in southern Sydney, needed protecting. "It's not a bad site, but it can be better and we ought to treat our history with respect," he said.
Plans include building a jetty, a cafe, cultural centre and museum. There will also be new signs describing both Aboriginal and European history, as well as a repository for indigenous artefacts, Mr Carr said. The spot is marked by a flagpole and a monument to a naturalist who sailed with Cook on the Endeavour.
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