Queensland's surveying history
Interactive story map
Use an interactive story map to learn how our first surveyors paved the way for land settlement.
Surveying history
Queensland surveying history including the challenges of life in the field, survey tools and the growth of the profession.
Life of the surveyor in the field
Working conditions experienced by Queensland's historical surveyors.
Hardships faced
Surveyors faced hardships including sandy blight, nettles, flies and mosquitoes, leeches, prickly pear, extreme weather conditions, excess rainfall and water shortages.
Surveyors at work
Surveyors used the expertise of Aboriginal people, served in the First World War and worked overseas.
First surveys
Early surveys include trigonometrical surveys around Brisbane, on the Condamine and to support pastoral expansion throughout the state.
Surveying process
Historical surveying process included drawing plans from field notes, with survey plan and work examined and verified.
Becoming a surveyor
The ways of becoming a surveyor in Queensland including examinations, qualifications and progression schemes.
Professional associations
Historical summary of professional bodies for surveyors.