Using the Maps collection

This page provides guidance on how to find and use items in the Maps collection.

Finding maps

Maps are usually catalogued by 'place' like country, state, region or other place of interest. Try using a place name in the search AND the type of map, for example:

Canberra AND road
Pilbara AND geology
"Papua New Guinea" AND rainfall

Tip: To limit your search to maps only, use the format filter and select 'Map'.

Search our catalogue

Research guides

Research guides provide step-by-step instructions and suggested resources to assist in requesting and using the following materials:

Accessing maps

Some maps in our collections have not yet been catalogued. Before you visit, check the catalogue or Ask a Librarian.

Requesting material

Log in to the catalogue with your Library card.
Submit an online request.
Maps are delivered to the Special Collections Reading Room three times a day, Monday to Friday.

Delivery and preparation time

Some collection items are not fully arranged or described and need extra time to be prepared before they can be used. For more information, review our collection delivery times.

Oversize maps, globes and fragile items

Some items in the Maps collection are not suitable for delivery to the Special Collections Reading Room. If you have requested an oversize map or a globe, you may need to view the item elsewhere. Please arrange this via Ask a Librarian.
Some fragile maps materials, including some rare atlases, are not available to request. If you can demonstrate a need to access these materials, submit your request to Ask a Librarian.

Download or order copies

You can download a low-resolution copy of available maps, or you can order a high-resolution copy using Copies Direct.

Download a low-resolution copy

Find the item you would like a copy of in our catalogue.
If the record has a thumbnail or digitised image, you can download it directly.
Click on the image or 'View online' to open it in Trove.
Click the 'Download' icon.
Select the file format (JPG or TIF).
Click 'Start download'.

If the map is on more than one sheet, click 'Browse' to view all sheets and download the ones you want following the steps above.

Order a high-resolution copy

If the map isn't available online for download, you can order a copy via Copies Direct

Find the item you would like a copy of in our catalogue
Select 'Order a copy' at the bottom of the catalogue record
Follow the instructions provided by the Copies Direct service

Copyright and publishing

Maps published by a government body remain in copyright for 50 years from the end of the year of publication.
Maps published by a commercial publisher remain in copyright for 70 years from the end of the year of publication.