As a consequence, the sufferings of his men were such that it is pitiful to read about them in the official history of the voyage.
From Timor Baudin sailed for southern Tasmania, arriving there in January, 1802, and remaining in the neighbourhood till March.

There was no European settlement upon the island at that time, and Baudin described it as a country "which ought not to be neglected, and which a nation that does not love us does not look upon with indifference."* (* Baudin to the Minister of Marine, manuscripts, Archives Nationales BB4 995 Marine.) A severe storm separated Le Geographe from her escort on March 7 and 8, in the neighbourhood of the eastern entrance of Bass Strait.

Le Naturaliste spent some time in Westernport, making a survey of it, and discovering the second island, which Bass had missed on his whaleboat cruise.

Her commander, Captain Hamelin, then took her round to Port Jackson, to solicit aid from the Governor of the English colony there.

Meanwhile Baudin sailed through the Strait from east to west.