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Matthew FlindersPrint Page 
The cairn commemorates English navigator Matthew Flinders. It is near the spot where he spent the night in March 1802.
Location
| Address: | Edinburgh Terrace & Whiting Parade, Alan McLellan Lookout, Port Augusta, 5710 |
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| State: | SA |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -32.514236 Long: 137.779745 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Exploration |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 10-March-1802 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 10-March-1802 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Friday 26th May, 1967 |
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Matthew Flinders R.N.
1774 - 1814
As Commander of H.M. Sloop ‘Investigator’ on a voyage to Terra Australia discovered, surveyed and named Spencer`s Gulf, in 1802. Point Lowey, Curlew Point, Mount Brown and Arden were named by him.
Between the most northerly anchorage and the head of the gulf, five exploratory landings were made from the ships cutter, by Captain Flinders, accompanied by Surgeon Hugh Bell, and Boat Party.
They spent the night of Wednesday, March 10, 1802, ashore near this spot, as described by Flinders’ Journal:
“…….our distance above the ship was not so much as five leagues in a straight line, when the setting sun reminded us of looking out for a place of rest. A landing was effected with some difficulty amongst the mangroves on the eastern shore, and from a small eminence of red earth, I saw the ship`s mast heads at S 14 E Mount Brown N 85 E
Next morning we continued the examination upwards; .... but at ten o`clock our oars touched the mud on each side and it was not possible to proceed further."
This monument was erected in 1967 as a memorial to the great navigator and explorer, and to mark this historic landing place where the first Europeans slept ashore on this portion of the coast of South Australia.
It is set on that ‘small eminance of red earth.”
Erected by the Corporation of the City of Port Augusta
