Great Barrier Reef Historic Wall Map 1925

Great Barrier Reef — Historic Wall Map (1925)

Ribboned reef lines, sand cays like freckles on turquoise, deep channels stepping off the shelf—this 1925 classic by E.T. Holdaway gathers the entire Great Barrier Reef into one clear, awe-steadying portrait. It turns a wonder so vast it defies scale—even from space—into legible geography you can live with: reefs and passages ordered, coast and coral in conversation, the Coral Sea breathing just beyond the edge.

Why it captivates

• Reef-at-a-glance (1925) — a rare whole-of-reef overview, composed when coastal charting and science were racing ahead.

• Coast–coral dialogue — mainland, islands, cays and outer barrier shown together for instant orientation.

• Calm, room-length legibility — disciplined draughting and restrained labels read beautifully from across the room.

• Scholarly & beautiful — a working reference that doubles as refined décor.

What you’ll see

• Full sweep of the Great Barrier Reef from the Capricorn Group to the Far North, set against the Queensland coast.

• Reef tracts, lagoons, channels and cays drawn with confident early-20th-century linework.

• Islands and coastal towns marked to anchor your eye along the shelf edge.

• Balanced titlework & neatline preserving the period finish.

A richer historical frame

Created in 1925 by E.T. Holdaway, this overview captures the reef at a formative moment for Australian hydrography and natural science—when systematic mapping met growing public fascination. The sheet turns immensity into method: evidence arranged with care, letting you read patterns of reef and sea that usually escape a single glance.

Choose your finish

Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)

Best for: framing under glass in living rooms, studies and coastal spaces
Look & feel: non-glare matte that preserves fine linework and small labels

Laminated (true encapsulation)

Best for: classrooms, visitor centres, offices and shared spaces
Build: sealed edge-to-edge between two 80-micron gloss sheets
Benefit: wipe-clean, durable, moisture-resistant

Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)

What you get: encapsulated print plus natural lacquered timber rails top & bottom with a discreet hanging cord
Where it shines: foyers, museums, schools—polished look with everyday toughness
Install: arrives ready to hang (just add a wall hook)
Lead time: please allow up to 10 working days for professional rail mounting

Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)

Best for: premium interiors, galleries and boardrooms
Print system: pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for long display life
Presence: textured surface adds warmth and museum-style depth

Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)

What you get: canvas fitted with natural timber rails top & bottom, matching cord
Where it shines: statement walls, curated coastal displays, heritage spaces
Install: ready to hang; single-hook friendly
Lead time: please allow up to 10 working days for rail mounting

Sizes (W × H)

• 640 × 1000 mm — tall, portrait presence with generous whole-of-reef detail

At-a-glance materials

Styling ideas

• Coastal gallery wall: canvas with rails above light timber cabinetry; add a caption for favourite islands.

• Visitor foyer or classroom: choose Laminated + Rails for a robust, polished teaching piece.

• Study or lounge: frame the paper edition; pair with shells, driftwood and a warm picture light.

• Collector’s cluster: hang beside regional reef charts to zoom from overview to detail.

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Reef travellers, sailors & divers keeping a beloved coastline in view

• Educators, councils & museums curating coral-reef heritage

• Collectors & interior designers seeking calm, characterful cartography with global wonder

Claim your wall. Choose Paper for crisp, frame-ready clarity. Go Laminated + Timber Rails for tough, ready-to-hang polish. Step up to Archival Canvas + Timber Hang Rails for gallery weight. Printed in Australia with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks.