Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.
All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.
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Following are a few examples highlighting just some of our research strengths in the fields of European exploration of Australia and the Pacific, Australia's foundation documents including the First Fleet diaries, Indigenous Australians, colonial life, Antarctica, World War I, sport and literature.
This collection includes Sir Joseph Banks' Endeavour journal, papers of William Bligh following the Mutiny on the Bounty, the papers of the first four Governors of New South Wales and many of the major voyages of exploration.
The State Library holds eleven known First Fleet journal manuscripts.They provide a rich insight into the voyage out and daily life and death in the colony, and include early accounts of contact with Indigenous Australians. Find our more about the First Fleet Diaries in Stories
James Fairfax Matthew Flinders Archive
Matthew Flinders, 1774-1814, was amongst the most accomplished navigators and chartmakers of any age. From 1801 to 1803 he circumnavigated mainland Australia in HMS Investigator.
George Augustus Robinson was Chief Protector of Aborigines in Tasmania between 1829 and 1838. In 1838 Robinson was appointed Chief Protector in mainland Australia. His journals and correspondence provide a detailed account of the attitudes and treatment of Aborigines. The papers are also a rich source of information about Aboriginal vocabularies.
World War I diaries and letters
We hold over 350 diaries kept during World War I - an extraordinary archive of the Australian experience of the 'war to end all wars'. These tremendously moving and evocative journals document the war with an immediacy and power that has not diminished in 100 years.
Quong Tart, a wealthy tea merchant and restaurateur, was also a highly respected philanthropist and leader of the Chinese community in New South Wales.
Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914
The Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914, was organised and led by Sir Douglas Mawson. We hold a number of diaries written by members of the Expedition and an extensive photographic archive.
Cables and radio scripts provide an insight into the drama of the 'bodyline' cricket series, 1932-1933 between Australia and England.
Angus and Robertson Business Papers, 1880-1974
Angus and Robertson played a significant role in the history of Australian writing. These records include literary manuscripts and correspondence with some of Australia's most significant authors.
We have thousands of guides to different collections as well as many indexes and specialist catalogues - all designed to help you find what your looking for or discover a hidden gem.
Some of these guides are attached to the online catalogue record and some are available in the Mitchell Library.
