Establishing Queensland's borders
Over the last 170 years exploration and surveying has played a crucial role in the development of Queensland, laying the important foundations which exist today. Surveyors and cartographers have left behind a valuable legacy by accurately mapping and surveying vast sections of the state.
On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria signed the letters patent that allowed for the formation of a new colony from New South Wales and this colony was to be called Queensland. Read about the historical events that led up to that day in 1859 and beyond.
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Where possible, borders followed straight lines of latitude and longitude but in areas where natural features existed (e.g. mountain ranges or watercourses). For ease of effort in surveying and administering land, these features were adopted. This is why the beginning of the Queensland and New South Wales border from Point Danger is not a straight line. The border follows the top of ranges and rivers until flat country and a lack of watercourses flowing in the required direction meant that the line of latitude of 29o was adopted as the border.
Surveying Queensland's borders
Traditionally borders were defined by words on paper. To be of any use to colonial administrators, they had to be converted to marks on the ground. Enter the surveyors.
Over 145 years ago, surveyors painstakingly undertook the task of marking the border on the ground. This was in accordance with the Letters Patent of Queen Victoria.
They endured the hardships imposed by subtropical rainforest, waterless deserts, rugged mountain terrain and vast featureless plains. This was while working at extreme distances from civilisation, family and the comforts of home.
It was through their efforts that they left a valuable legacy.
The 3 borders surveyed were: