The National Library houses the largest and most actively developing research resource on Asia in Australia, with holdings of over half a million volumes.

Around 186 Chinese newspapers and serials, mostly published 1949-84, plus a small number of government documents of the 1969–77 period, monographs, pamphlets, mimeographed works, and some works published during the Japanese occupation of China.

Books, pamphlets, reprints and single issues of serials, mainly in French, relating to the ancient history, archaeology and culture of Southeast Asia.

About 5000 books, pamphlets and periodicals, over 11,000 paintings, drawings and prints, around 800 maps and over 300 manuscripts mostly published 1770-1900. Largely relating to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific including Antarctica.

Around 6000 titles focusing on Chinese history, especially the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and the 20th century, as well as biography, art, archaeology, literature and philosophy.

Over 32,000 items, including rare books, pamphlets, maps, and ephemera, covering topics such as Oceania, transport, and literature. Compiled by Sir John Alexander Ferguson, it is a key resource for Australian history and bibliography.

Explore the artistic legacy and complex history of Donald Friend through diaries, letters, and personal papers. 

91 charts of Australia and the Pacific produced by the British Admiralty and Hydrographic Service.

A large number of photographs and negatives taken by Loke Wan Tho on his ornithological expeditions to the Pacific, Asia and Europe in the 1950s and early 1960s, as well as papers, books and maps.