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A Voyage to Terra Australis
A Voyage to Terra Australis

A Voyage to Terra Australis

Author (British, 1774 - 1814)
Publisher
Date1814
Object numberV00001898
NameBook
MediumInk on paper in leather binding
DimensionsOverall: 48 x 325 x 260 mm, 2.45 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
Description‘A Voyage to Terra Australis' consists of an atlas and two volume narrative. It was written by the explorer Matthew Flinders and recounts his expedition in command of HMS INVESTIGATOR in 1801-1803. Flinders circumnavigated Australia and proved it was one continent separated from the island of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). On his return voyage to England he was imprisoned by the French for seven years on Mauritius, during which time he compiled this narrative. Sadly Flinders was not alive in 1814 to see its publication, passing away on 19 July 1814 in London.HistoryPrior to Matthew Flinders' circumnavigation of the Australian coastline in 1801-1803 cartographic maps and charts of the continent were incomplete and inaccurate. Many believed Australia to be two individual land masses separated by an inland sea. It was also assumed that Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) was attached to the mainland. With the backing of the notable and highly respected Sir Joseph Banks, Flinders was appointed in 1801 to take command of an expedition to 'New Holland for the purpose of making a complete examination and survey' of the southern coast, the north-west coast, the Gulf of Carpentaria and parts westward, Torres Strait and if time permitted 'the whole of the remainder of the north, the west and the north-west'. Flinders' exploration of Australia's coastline and the subsequent publication of 'A Voyage to Terra Australis', a two volume narrative with accompanying atlas greatly enhanced the understanding of Australia's geography. Now respected as one of the greatest maritime explorers of his time, Matthew Flinders provided accurate and detailed charts of Australia and charted substantial areas of its unknown coast. 'A Voyage to Terra Australia' also contains information about the settlement of Port Jackson, the Indigenous Australian population, a summary of earlier voyages of discovery to Terra Australis, details of his imprisonment on Ile de France (Mauritius), records on navigational science and the botany of the continent.SignificanceThis famous book represents Flinders' exploration and charting of Australia's coastline between 1801 and 1803. His work substantially increased the knowledge, detail and accuracy of cartographic maps depicting the continent, so much so that they were still being used well into the 20th century.