Banks, then acting as an adviser to the Kew Botanical Gardens near London, England, had previously sailed as botanist with Captain James Cook on his earlier voyage of discovery in the Pacific.
Banks, kes töötas tol ajal Inglismaal Londoni lähedal asuva Kew ’ botaanikaaia nõustajana, oli varem reisinud botaanikuna koos kapten James Cookiga tema esimestel avastusretkedel Vaiksel ookeanil.