Port Stephens, New South Wales (1828–1831)
The Admiralty chart that defined one of Australia’s great natural harbours
This elegant British Admiralty chart presents Port Stephens as it was first precisely measured and made safe for navigation. Surveyed in 1828 by William Johns, Master of H.M.S. Rainbow, and engraved by the renowned J. & C. Walker, it was published by the Admiralty in 1831 as an operational harbour plan for the growing colony of New South Wales.
With its broad entrance, sheltered waters and strategic position north of Sydney, Port Stephens was long recognised for its maritime potential. This chart is the document that transformed that promise into navigable reality.
This is not a decorative map.
It is the harbour plan that opened Port Stephens to the world.
⚓ What This Chart Shows
This finely engraved Admiralty sheet captures Port Stephens with harbour-scale precision.
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Port Stephens and its approaches clearly delineated
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Entrance channels and anchorages
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Bathymetric soundings marking depths and hazards
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Coastal relief shown by classic Admiralty hachures
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Inset coastal view of Port Stephens, aiding visual navigation
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Greenwich prime meridian — true Admiralty reference standard
Every detail reflects first-hand survey work undertaken for safe seamanship.
🧭 Why This Chart Works
Most maps show where a harbour lies.
This shows how ships actually used it.
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Surveyed by William Johns, R.N., in active naval service
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True British Admiralty production — the world benchmark for accuracy
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High-resolution harbour hydrography
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Museum-grade engraving by J. & C. Walker
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Primary source for early NSW maritime navigation
This chart captures Port Stephens at the moment it entered Australia’s navigable network.
✨ Premium Finishes
Every Port Stephens (1831) Admiralty Chart is printed in Australia using archival methods to preserve the delicacy of the original engraving.
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| 📜 Paper (160 gsm matte) | Smooth heavyweight archival paper with crisp line definition; ideal for framing under glass. |
| 🧼 Laminated (True Encapsulation) | 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge protection; tear-resistant and wipe-clean. |
| 🖼️ Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte) | Pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for a warm, gallery-grade finish. |
| 🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails | Natural timber rails with hanging cord; ready to hang. Allow up to 10 working days. |
| 🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails | Elegant frameless presentation with lacquered natural timber rails. Allow up to 10 working days. |
📐 Size
1000 mm (W) × 755 mm (H)
A wide wall format that gives Port Stephens’ sweeping harbour and headlands commanding presence.
🎯 Ideal For
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Australian maritime and harbour history collectors
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Port Stephens and NSW heritage interiors
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Museums, libraries and universities
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Yacht clubs and coastal institutions
🤝 Our Commitment
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Printed in Australia with professional colour management
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Archival pigment inks for long-term colour stability
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Premium laminates and canvas for durability
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Natural timber hang rails for refined presentation
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Hand-checked and carefully packed before dispatch
Before resorts and marinas, there was this survey.
Choose your finish and bring Port Stephens’ first true harbour plan onto your wall.
