Queensland's surveying history

Use an interactive story map to learn how our first surveyors paved the way for land settlement.

Queensland surveying history including the challenges of life in the field, survey tools and the growth of the profession.

Working conditions experienced by Queensland's historical surveyors.

Surveyors faced hardships including sandy blight, nettles, flies and mosquitoes, leeches, prickly pear, extreme weather conditions, excess rainfall and water shortages.

Surveyors used the expertise of Aboriginal people, served in the First World War and worked overseas.

Early surveys include trigonometrical surveys around Brisbane, on the Condamine and to support pastoral expansion throughout the state.

Historical surveying process included drawing plans from field notes, with survey plan and work examined and verified.

The ways of becoming a surveyor in Queensland including examinations, qualifications and progression schemes.

Historical summary of professional bodies for surveyors.