Matthew Flinders' instructions continue. He is to forward to England interim reports of his discoveries, including works by the naturalist and artists aboard the Investigator. There are also detailed instructions for the plant cabin which should be installed when they reach Port Jackson. This is for the living specimens which are to be returned to England for cultivating. These will be cared for by the naturalist, Robert Brown, and Peter Good, the gardener.

Sir Joseph Banks chose the scientists, naturalists and artists who accompanied Flinders: naturalist Robert Brown, gardener Peter Good, mineralogist John Allen, astronomer John Crosley, natural history artist Ferdinand Bauer, and landscape artist William Westall.

The Investigator was fitted out for scientific observations and collecting, with a greenhouse for live plants that could be brought back to England, a microscope, and a library of books about South Sea voyages. The Admiralty instructed Flinders to allow enough time on land for the scientists and artists to undertake their work. Brown made extensive collections on this voyage.

When Flinders returned to England to obtain a replacement ship for the Investigator, Brown and Bauer decided to remain in New South Wales to continue collecting and illustrating. It was expected that Flinders would return within two years. They finally returned to England in 1805 with specimens of more than 3,000 plant species and 1500 plant drawings. In addition, Brown and Bauer brought back animal, bird and mineral specimens, and numerous natural history drawings and paintings. In the following five years, Brown described more than 2,000 of the species, many of which were previously unknown.

Flinders, Matthew, 1774-1814

Flinders, Matthew, A voyage to Terra Australis ... Adelaide: Libraries Board of South Australia, 1966

The Encounter, 1802: art of the Flinders and Baudin voyages [compiled by] Sarah Thomas Adelaide: Art Gallery of South Australia, 2002

Fornasiero, F. J. Encountering Terra Australis: the Australian voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders Kent Town, South Australia: Wakefield Press, 2004

Good, Peter The journal of Peter Good: gardener on Matthew Flinders voyage to Terra Australis 1801-03 edited with an introduction by Phyllis I. Edwards [North Sydney]: [Library of Australian History], 1981

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-