Mapping the Great South Land: from Terra Incognita to New Holland and Australia
Mapping the Great South Land featured in the Talbot Family Treasures Wall, Level 4, State Library of Queensland from 20 December 2008 – 22 March 2009.
[Gerard de Jode],
Novae Guineae forma, & situs, 1593,
John Oxley Library,
State Library of Queensland
RBM 801 1593 00000 e
In 1606, the Dutchman Willem Janszoon found the west coast of Cape York and camped in Wik Munkun land. His is the first uncontested European mapping and brief settlement in Australia. Australia was the last vast inhabited area to be explored and the first where scientific methodology and careful documentation were applied. In 1859, Queensland became the last Australian state.
To celebrate 150 years of Queensland and the 75th year of the John Oxley Library, the Talbot Family Treasure Wall displayed rare maps from the State Library of Queensland collection.
Beginning in 1572, these chart Australia’s coast and include maps by Tasman, Cook and Flinders. Illustrated travel accounts by Dampier (1699), Cook’s voyages including Parkinson’s illustrations (1797), and Flinders (1814) also featured in the exhibition. The fame of such maps and books made Australia an "essential destination" for scientists and inspired books like Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.
- View a selection of images from the exhibition
Further information on the Map collection
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Last updated: 7th December 2011
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