Australia on the Map is a division of the Australasian Hydrographic Society. It brings together members with an interest in history and generates and supports projects with a historical and history education focus.  The AOTM Division has a special focus on the early Maritime Contact History of Australia and New Zealand, particularly those fascinating parts that are not very well known.

The broad aim is  to help improve the Australians' and New Zealanders' knowledge and understanding of their own early histories.

More specifically:

q       Focus on the period from 1606 onwards.

q       Give due recognition to all relevant navigators of all nationalities in the mapping of the Australian coast.

q       Have an outward looking attitude such as aiming at community involvement, engaging, as far as possible all Australians, regardless of age, creed, gender, socio-economic group or ethnicity.

q       Engage in international promotion of Australia’s history, where it overlaps with that of other countries.

q       Highlight the mariners’ contacts with the land and between them and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, as well as the historical and cultural implications of those contacts

q       Stimulate tourism in Australia through highlighting and promoting heritage tourism opportunities.

The means to be applied will be developed and clarified on this web-site over time.

Australia On the Map is a continuation of the “Australia on the map 1606-2006” initiative that saw Australia commemorate its 400 year documented history in 2006 with events around the nation. The National Steering Committee of the former organisation resolved to merge with the Australasian Hydrographic Society at its invitation, so as part of an established and larger entity they could sustain their focus on the broader vision.