Freycinet Map of 1811

The Baudin expedition to Australia was intended to be a voyage of discovery that would further scientific knowledge and perhaps eclipse the achievements of Captain James Cook.

Napoléon Bonaparte, as First Consul, formally approved the expedition ‘to the coasts of New Holland’,[2] after receiving a delegation of Nicolas Baudin and eminent members of the Institut National des Sciences et Arts on 25 March 1800.

Both were eventually promoted to Lieutenant, and Louis was later given command of the schooner Casuarina, purchased in Sydney to enable improved inshore surveying.

Because of delays in receiving his instructions and problems encountered in Isle de France (now Mauritius) they did not reach Cape Leeuwin on the south west corner of the continent until early winter 1801.

The expedition was severely affected by dysentery and fever, but sailed from Timor on 13 November 1801, across the Great Australian Bight and reached Tasmania on 13 January 1802.

The expedition then began surveying the south coast of Australia but then Captain Jacques Felix Emmanuel Hamelin in the Naturaliste decided to make for Port Jackson as he was running short of food and water, and in need of anchors.

Publication of the volumes giving the official account of the expedition, Voyage de Découvertes aux Terres Australes, and the associated atlases, was authorised by Napoléon on 4 August 1806.