Flood Map of Brisbane & Suburbs (1974)

Title: Flood Map of Brisbane & Suburbs
Published by: Survey Office, Department of Lands, Brisbane
Date: February 1974
Size: 771 mm (W) × 1000 mm (H)
Format: Historical Flood Map • Single Sheet
Printed in Australia

Produced in February 1974 by the Survey Office of the Queensland Department of Lands, this official flood map documents one of the most significant natural disasters in Brisbane’s history — the January 1974 Brisbane floods.

Created in the immediate aftermath of the event, the map provides a clear, authoritative record of flood-affected areas across Brisbane and its suburbs, showing the extent and impact of inundation following weeks of intense rainfall and the catastrophic flooding of the Brisbane River.

This is a powerful historical and planning document — equally valuable as a research reference, an educational resource, and a striking wall map that tells an important story about Brisbane’s relationship with water, landscape, and urban growth.

🌊 What This Map Shows

• Flood-affected areas across Brisbane & suburbs (1974)

• Extent of inundation resulting from the January 1974 flood event

• Suburban and urban areas impacted by riverine flooding

• Official government mapping produced for analysis and record-keeping

Unlike modern flood models, this map records what actually happened, making it an essential historical reference.

🕰️ Historical Context — The 1974 Brisbane Floods

• One of Brisbane’s most devastating flood events

• Caused by prolonged heavy rainfall and river catchment saturation

• Led to widespread damage across residential, commercial, and industrial areas

• Influenced future flood planning, land-use controls, and river management

This map captures the city at a pivotal moment — before many of today’s flood mitigation measures were introduced.

🎨 Materials, Print Quality & Hanging Options

Archival Canvas

• Printed on 395 gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas

• Subtle canvas texture enhances colour depth while retaining fine line detail

• Matte surface reduces reflections compared with glass-framed prints

Archival Pigment Inks

• Produced using Hewlett-Packard archival, fade-resistant pigment inks

• Ensures crisp typography, stable colour, and long-term durability

• Designed to remain vibrant and legible for many years

Optional Timber Hang Rails (Recommended for Large Formats)

For a clean, frame-free presentation, this canvas map can be finished with natural timber hang rails:

• Top and bottom timber rails provide structure and visual balance

• Bottom rail adds weight, helping the large canvas hang flat and straight

• Prevents edge curl and sag over time

• Supplied with hanging cord — ready to mount on a single wall hook

• Creates a gallery-style finish without glass or bulky framing

Please note:
Canvas maps with timber hang rails are professionally finished.
Allow up to 10 working days for completion prior to dispatch.

This canvas edition is intended for display and reference and is not write-on / wipe-off like laminated versions.

📐 Size & Orientation

• 771 mm (W) × 1000 mm (H)

• Orientation: Portrait

📊 Specifications

🎯 Who It’s For

• 🌊 Flood historians & researchers — primary-source documentation

• 🏗️ Urban planners & engineers — understanding historical flood behaviour

• 🎓 Educators & universities — teaching disaster history and urban geography

• 🏠 Brisbane residents — insight into local flood history

• 🖼️ Collectors of documentary maps — significant Queensland artefact

🤝 Our Commitment

This important Brisbane flood map is reproduced and printed in Australia using archival-grade canvas and Hewlett-Packard pigment inks, then carefully checked and packed to ensure it arrives ready to deliver lasting clarity, historical integrity, and professional presentation.

🛒 Document a defining moment in Brisbane’s history — order the Flood Map of Brisbane & Suburbs (1974) and bring an essential chapter of the city’s story onto your wall.