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

A historical cartographic record of epic journeys across two great southern lands – published 1872.

This remarkable vintage map, published by Gordon & Gotch in 1872, offers a rare and detailed look at the exploration history of Australia and New Zealand. Compiled from official government surveys available at the time, it meticulously traces the paths of early land explorers, maritime expeditions, and ships that circumnavigated the continent or ventured into its rugged interior.

Fascinating in its detail and elegant in design, this is not just a map—it’s a visual chronicle of heroic feats, speculative geography, and colonial ambition. From the coastline routes of Cook and Flinders to the inland journeys of Sturt, Stuart, Leichhardt and Burke & Wills, this map captures the era’s cartographic understanding of two of the British Empire’s most distant outposts.

An exceptional piece for anyone with a passion for exploration history, early cartography, or Australiana.

Key Features:

• Original publication year: 1872

• Publisher: Gordon & Gotch, Melbourne

• Compiled from: Government maps and survey records available at the time

• Subject:

  • Major exploration routes across Australia and New Zealand

  • Names and paths of key explorers and expeditions

  • Ship routes around the coastlines

  • Early settlements and colonial regions

• Style: Period-authentic design with Victorian-era typography and linework

Available Formats:

Hanging Option

Choose the hang-rail option to receive your laminated or canvas map fitted with wooden rails top and bottom. These come lacquered in a natural timber finish, complete with a hanging cord—ready to display with just a wall hook.

Note: Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery of hang-railed maps, as each one is custom finished by our framer.

Available Sizes:

Why Choose This Map?

Whether you're a collector, historian, educator, or interior designer, this Map of Australia & New Zealand Shewing the Routes of the Explorers is a timeless statement piece. It brings together art, history, and geography in a way few other maps can—telling the story of how these lands were seen, crossed, and eventually mapped.