The central artwork depicts a historical scene titled "January 1788: Arrival." In the foreground, a group of British soldiers in uniform are gathered on a grassy shore. One soldier is in the process of raising a British Union Jack flag on a pole, while others stand nearby or engage in conversation. To the left, a small rowboat carrying figures glides across the water toward the shore, and two white cranes stand among the reeds near the bank.
In the background, a serene landscape unfolds with rolling hills, dense green trees, and distant ships anchored in the calm harbour. The art style is reminiscent of a detailed watercolor or ink-and-wash drawing, utilizing soft, muted tones of green, brown, and blue to evoke a colonial, pastoral atmosphere. The composition is structured to provide a wide, panoramic view of the arrival, suggesting a sense of exploration and quiet transition.
Integrated into the lower portion of the image is a decorative strip featuring a row of four postage stamps, each labeled "Australia, The First Fleet" and "37c." These miniature illustrations mirror the theme of the larger scene, depicting Indigenous Australians along the coast, wildlife such as kangaroos, and more historical naval imagery. This combination of a primary historical illustration and a border of thematic stamps gives the artwork a commemorative, scrapbook-like appearance.