They could not well have been observed from the deck of a vessel off the coast.* (* See Coote, History of Queensland, 1 7, and Lang, Cooksland, page 17.) A closer inspection of the shore-line was required.

In fact, the rivers were not found by seaward exploration; they were discovered by inland travellers.
The most interesting features of the voyage lay in the meeting with aboriginals in Moreton Bay.

Some of the incidents were amusing, though at one time there seemed to be danger of a serious encounter.

Flinders went ashore to meet a party of the natives, and endeavoured to establish friendly relations with them.

But as he was leaving, one of them threw a spear.