Cartoon image of 4 figures - Matthew Flinders, Bungaree, Butchella fisherperson and Noongar Elder. They are standing on a tree stump, with a stylised image of the Bunda Cliffs (SA) in the background, with HMS Investigator in the background.
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Matthew Flinders and Bungaree

Matthew Flinders and Bungaree made history by circumnavigating Australia aboard HMS Investigator

Matthew Flinders and Bungaree were navigators who played a key role in mapping the coastline of Australia from 1798 to 1803. Together with the crew of HMS Investigator they were the first people to circumnavigate the continent.

[icon] The animation shows the highlights of their voyages. Watch it together with your students and answer the discussion questions below. 

Discussion questions

A: He circumnavigated Lutruwita (Tasmania) with George Bass in the sloop Norfolk. 

A: Matthew Flinders, Bungaree, the ship’s crew, and Trim.

A: Flinders met Noongar men in Western Australia on his trip from England to Sydney in 1801. Flinders and Bungaree met Butchella people on K’gari, people from Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait, and Yolgnu people in the Northern Territory. 

A: Bungaree helped Flinders to communicate with First Nations Australians along the coast. Even though he couldn’t speak the language of the people he met, he understood cultural protocols which helped to prevent conflict. His knowledge of Country also kept Flinders and the crew safe by helping them to navigate the unfamiliar land and by finding food to eat. 

A: Flinders’ maps helped the British learn more about Australia’s coastline, including safe sailing routes, the location of possible farming areas, and fresh water sources. The journey was valuable for the British, but it was part of colonisation, which had a negative impact on First Nations communities. Although some meetings were friendly, others led to conflict, and the names of many First Nations places were not recognised and replaced with English ones on the voyage. 

Chapters

The chapters contain more information about Matthew Flinders’ and Bungaree’s story. You’ll discover an interactive map about their voyages, images from the Museum’s collection, and more activity ideas for your students!