Individually, George Bass and Matthew Flinders were early sea explorers who explored and charted various parts of the Australian coastline, with Flinders being the first to circumnavigate the continent.
Together, Bass and Flinders also charted sections of Australia's coastline, adding valuable information to the maps of the time. In 1798, Bass's explorations along the southern coast of what would later become the colony of Victoria led him to the belief that Van Diemen's Land (later Tasmania) was separate from the mainland. Governor Hunter wished for this theory to be proven conclusively, so he commissioned Bass and Flinders to circumnavigate Van Diemen's Land, which they did between October 1798 and January 1799.
Their exploration was well-received, because it meant that ships sailing to Sydney along usual routes could shave a full week off their journey by travelling through Bass Strait rather than south of Tasmania.
Flinders later became especially important for his complete circumnavigation of the Australian continent. This, too, was vital for the information it provided for future settlement along Australia's coast - particularly in the south.
Matthew Flinders circumnavigated Tasmania with George Bass.
Matthew Flinders and George Bass sailed across the top of Tasmania
William Martin
Matthew Flinders and George Bass
No. Sea explorer Matthew Flinders always had a substantial crew. At one stage, even his brother Samuel travelled with him. He was also known for travelling with George Bass to prove that Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) was an island.
Neither of them was born in Australia, but they both explored Australian waters. Matthew Flinders and George Bass were both born in Lincolnshire, England although they did not meet until they reached Australia.
Matthew Flinders circumnavigated the entire continent of Australia, and was with George Bass when the discovery was made that Tasmania was a separate island.
The ship in which Flinders circumnavigated Australia was named Investigator.Prior to this Matthew Flinders, together with George Bass, circumnavigated Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) in the Norfolk.
Matthew Flinders and George Bass circumnavigated Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) in 1798, thus proving it was an island.
Matthew Flinders wanted to help George Bass prove that Van Diemen's land (Tasmania) was an island, and not joined to the Australian continent.
George Bass was a sea explorer who, together with Matthew Flinders, proved that Tasmania (then Van Diemen's Land) was an island, and not connected to the Australian mainland.
Matthew Flinders, together with George Bass, explored sections of Australia in 1798 and 1799. Between December 1801 and June 1803, Matthew Flinders also circumnavigated the continent of Australia, charting the entire coastline.