Overview

Queensland has been surveyed and mapped by its Indigenous peoples since the beginning of human habitation of the Australian continent. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples developed an intimate knowledge of the land and its environment. They developed truly unique forms of Indigenous cartography.

In more recent times, credit must be given for the efforts of early European explorers and surveyors who established our roads, railways and land boundary networks. Present day surveyors, cartographers and spatial scientists have further surveyed and mapped Queensland. They have moulded the social and economic infrastructure from these early foundations for the present day Queensland community.

Today,

Maps and charts intrude into the very fabric of peoples' lives, whether or not they are aware of it. Our society does not build, bury, move or plan, travel, navigate, teach, explicit, conserve or research without a map or chart. ^{Cartography 1997}

Surveying and mapping are fundamental activities that provide a strong information infrastructure to enable a strong economy and a sustainable environment. These professions have ensured that Queensland has prospered through agriculture, mining, tourism and many other industries.

This virtual museum of Lands Surveying and Mapping provides an overview of the historic development of these important functions in Queensland.

This museum has been developed by the Department of Natural Resources and Water. It aims to provide the Queensland community easy access to heritage information about its land, surveying and mapping history.

Audiences from beyond the Queensland community will also gain interest of the progression of the disciplines.  

Due to the historical importance of the surveying and mapping industry to the development of Queensland, the site also provides a valuable resource for a wider range of community interests.  

The site provides a web presence for the Museum of Lands Surveying and Mapping, which houses many historical artefacts and records. 

The Museum of Lands Surveying and Mapping is located on Level 1, Landcentre building, cnr Main and Vulture Streets, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Australia. It is managed and staffed by the Department of Natural Resources and Water and is an arm of the larger statewide Queensland Museum.

The image shows former curator Bill Kitson at the entrance to the Queensland Museum of Lands Mapping and Surveying. Click on the image above to view more images inside the museum.   

Surveying content

Material has been extracted from initial draft compilations authored by Bill Kitson, former Senior Curator of the Museum of Lands Mapping and Surveying. From these initial drafts, a comprehensive book titled "Surveying Queensland 1839-1945, A Pictorial History", has been authored and compiled by Bill Kitson and Judith McKay. The book was published and launched in December, 2006.

Further information and orders can be made through:

Museum of Lands Surveying and Mapping
Level 1 Landcentre
Cnr Mains and Vulture Streets
Woolloongabba
Brisbane. Queensland
Phone: (07) 3896 3000
Email: Kaye.Nardella@nrw.qld.gov.au

Queensland Museum
Wholesale Distribution
PO Box 3300
South Brisbane BC, Qld 4101
Phone: (07) 3840 7645
Fax: (07) 3842 9192
Email: inquirycentre@qm.qld.gov.au

Mapping content

Much of the mapping content for this site was sourced from an unpublished work titled 'Mapping Queensland', by Mr Des Diggles. He was a former staff member of the Department of Natural Resources and Water. His work was largely compiled from the works of Duffy, L. (1971), 'A History of Mapping in the Survey Office, Queensland', Survey Office, Department of Lands, Brisbane.

Feedback

Critical comment of this site is most welcome.
If you wish to comment on any aspect of the content or contribute further information, please contact us via email for consideration.