It was thought that La Pérouse had meant to explore New Caledonia and the Louisiade Archipelago, to pass through Torres Strait, and to explore the Gulf of Carpentaria and the northern coast of New Holland.
Man mente, at La Pérouse ville udforske Ny Kaledonien og Louisiade Arkipelaget, derefter sejle gennem Torres Strait og udforske Gulf of Carpentaria og nordkysten af New Holland.