State Library of Queensland > Collections > Maps > Early Australian maps

EARLY AUSTRALIAN MAPS

Mappe monde: qui comprend les nouvelles decouvertes faites jusqu'a ce jour, 1748, Call No. MAPS 100 1769 00000 R

The first map of Australia, hand coloured manuscript reproduction (of original?) from Nicholas Vallard's Atlas, 1547, Call No. RBM 804 1547 00000 E

Pars orbis: duorum qui occiduas partes incoluerunt nomina & sedes incertis parentibus, Benedictus Arias Montanus, 1572, Call No. RBM 100 1571 00000 H

Descriptio terrae subaustralis, Petrus Bertius, 1618, Call No. MAPS 180 1618 00000 R

Complete map of the Southern Continent as surveyed by Captain Abel Tasman & depicted by order of the East India Company in Holland in the Stadt House at Amsterdam, 1744, Call No. MAPS 800 1744 00000 R

The State Library of Queensland holds a significant collection of maps documenting the European discovery and exploration of Australia.

What is in the collection?

The historic Australian maps trace the earliest sightings of the continent by Europeans from the early 1570s, through to the first complete map by Matthew Flinders in 1814. The first map documenting the Aboriginal languages and tribal groups of the continent (Tindale 1940) adds to the diversity of the collection. The oldest map depicting a continent in the location of Australia is Pars Orbis 1572. Tasman, Dampier, Cook and Flinders are well represented, as well as the inland explorers such as Burke and Wills.

Did you know?

These maps are acquired by auction, private and public sales and auctions, or donation.
They are part of the Historic Map Collection.
Because of their rarity they are encapsulated in Mylar plastic sheets and shelved flat in drawers.

How do I access items in this collection?

Access at the State Library

All the early Australian maps are available in the John Oxley Library Reading Room on Level 4
Use One Search to find these maps on the catalogue. Use keywords such as cartographic and Australia and Discovery and/or Exploration eg Australia and cartographic and discovery. You can book a computer with your e-services card for up to two hours per day.
Bring your own laptop and access our electronic resources via our wireless service.

Access off-site

Search One Search for maps. You will need to login with your e-services card or QPL account.
Some State Library items are available for loan to other libraries. Contact your local library for information about interlibrary loan and copy services.

Find out more

Ask for more information about Queensland maps at the information desk on Level 4.
Make an appointment with a map specialist if you need more indepth assistance.

Last updated: 19th June 2009

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