In 1799, Matthew Flinders set off in the Norfolk and headed north from Sydney. He examined Moreton Bay and Hervey Bay. After he returned to England, he was asked by the government to completely map the coastline of Australia.

Flinders was made a commander and given charge of a crew of 88 men aboard the Investigator. During this voyage he named many places including Cape Catastrophe where two of his crew was drowned. They were swamped while returning from the mainland in a small boat. He also discovered and named Gulf St. Vincent, Kangaroo Island, Investigator Straits and Encounter Bay. Here he met up with a French sea captain, Captain Nicholas Baudin. Although Britain and France were at war in Europe, the 2 captains met and exchanged charts and information.