Episode 1 of the documentary, "A Great Endeavour" looks at Banks’ early privileged life as the son of a wealthy landowner who inherited vast estates, and his developing friendship with Swedish botanist, Daniel Solander, who would accompany him on his journey and adventures to the South Seas on board the Endeavour with Captain Cook.

Botanist Joseph Banks accompanied Captain Cook on his voyages and helped establish the Kew Gardens as a botanical centre in London. He played a pivotal role in the founding of Australia first as a convict settlement and then as a British colony.