The Sydney region comprises a variety of nations that are united by a common language.

These nations are the Eora, who live along the coast; the Tharawal to the south; the Dharug to the northwest; and the Gandagara to the southwest.

Within the language groups there are several clans.

The Eora people generally comprise three main clans known as the Cadigal, Wanegal, and the Cammeraygal, and several smaller ones.

The Dharug people, however, are the largest dialect of the Sydney region and consist of the Wangal, Kurrajong, Boorooberongal, Cattai, Bidjigal, Gommerigal, Mulgoa, Cannemegal, Bool-bain-ora, Cabrigal, Muringong and the Dural clans.

A clan typically numbers between fifty to one hundred people.

The British penal colony that has been established at Port Jackson (present-day Sydney) is the traditional land of the Cadigal people.

The penal colony has a population of around one thousand and for the first few years struggles to adapt to the Australian climate.