Map of Australia & New Zealand Shewing The Routes of the Explorers published 1872

Map of Australia & New Zealand Shewing the Routes of the Explorers — Wall Map (1872)

Sailing wakes and camel tracks, riverboats and dry creeks—this 1872 Gordon & Gotch classic draws the twin stories of Australia and New Zealand into one sweeping chronicle of exploration. From the coastal tracks of Cook and Flinders to the inland lines of Sturt, Stuart, Leichhardt, and Burke & Wills, the map threads courage through distance, turning two great southern lands into a living atlas of first routes, hard lessons, and changing horizons.

Why it captivates

• A faithful 1872 portrait compiled from official government surveys and charts available at the time.

• Clear route-lines for key maritime and inland expeditions across Australia and New Zealand.

• Period-authentic Victorian typography, engraving, and decorative linework with refined restraint.

• A statement piece that blends scholarship with strong visual presence.

What you’ll see

• Major exploration routes across Australia & New Zealand, labelled with explorers’ names and paths.

• Coastal ship tracks and circumnavigations marking early maritime discovery.

• Early settlements and colonial regions set against the routes that reached or defined them.

• Period cartouche and borders that frame the geography without crowding detail.

A richer historical frame

Issued in 1872, this map captures an era when the colonial picture of Australasia was still being stitched together—coastlines largely known, interiors newly connected by hard-won tracks and speculative rivers. Gordon & Gotch distilled government surveys into a single reference that is part logbook, part landmark: a visual ledger of how two territories were seen, crossed and argued into clearer shape.

Choose your finish

Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)

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

Laminated (true encapsulation)

Best for: classrooms, libraries, 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, schools, museums—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 Australiana displays
Install: ready to hang; single-hook friendly
Lead time: please allow up to 10 working days for rail mounting

Sizes (W × H)

• 970 × 560 mm — balanced feature with ample route detail

• 1500 × 870 mm — commanding centrepiece for galleries and public spaces

At-a-glance materials

Styling ideas

• Exploration wall: pair with a caption card noting your favourite routes or landfalls.

• Research nook: frame the paper edition and keep a magnifier handy for route annotations.

• Public foyer: select Laminated + Rails for polished, durable display.

• Curated interior: canvas with rails above timber cabinetry for warm, Victorian character.

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Collectors and historians of Australasia’s exploration era

• Educators, libraries & museums teaching maritime and inland discovery

• Interior designers seeking a refined Victorian statement with scholarly depth

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. Built to last. Hang it. Live with it. Keep discovery close.