The ship that carried the first convicts to Australia was the HMS Sirius, part of the First Fleet that arrived in Botany Bay in January 1788. The First Fleet consisted of eleven ships transporting convicts, supplies, and personnel to establish a penal colony in New South Wales. The Sirius was the flagship and played a crucial role in the settlement process. This event marked the beginning of European colonization in Australia, leading to significant changes in the region's demographics, culture, and environment, and setting the stage for the development of modern Australia.