About the Map collections
The State Library holds one of the most significant collections of maps in Australia. The estimated size of the collection is around 200,000 maps which includes over 40,000 subdivision plans. The current collection covers Australia, in particular NSW, the Pacific region, Antarctica and extends to the rest of the world.
The collections have developed over the past 150 years with additions being made through acquisitions by the Public Library of New South Wales, the David Scott Mitchell Bequest and the Sir William Dixson Bequest.
Joseph Da Costa E Miranda's world map, 1706 ZML 857
Collection strengths include:
- Rare pre-1800 European maps, charts and atlases relating to exploration and navigation in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Early surveys of Australia and the Pacific including charts by James Cook, Alexander Dalrymple, William Bradley, John Hunter, William Bligh, Matthew Flinders and Phillip Parker King.
- Manuscript and published maps documenting the exploration of inland Australia.
- Comprehensive holdings of nineteenth century maps of Sydney, NSW and the other Australian states.
- Subdivision plans, depicting land sales in New South Wales in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Read the Collection Development Policy: Cartographic Collections (PDF 33KB) for the Library's maps collection.
Contact Maps at the Library
Use our free Ask a Librarian service for reference and research-related questions.
Enquiries related to the management or development of the Map collections will be automatically referred to the Maps Section.
Reproductions of maps available for purchase
The Library Shop has a selection of fine art reproductions of maps Library's collections available for purchase.
