Shortland spent nearly five years in Australia including time on Norfolk Island where Sirius was wrecked in 1790.

On 9 September 1797, while on his way to Port Stephens in pursuit of some runaway convicts, Shortland entered the estuary of the Hunter River on which Newcastle, New South Wales is situated.

Then his friend, Admiral John Schank, a commissioner of the Transport Board, was able to get Shortland appointed to the troopship Pandour as agent of the troops then going to Egypt.

When they got to the top they displayed the Union Jack, drank a toast to King George III, and gave three cheers.

Three days later they climbed the pillar again, erected a staff, fixed a weather vane, ate a beef steak, and again toasted the king.