State Library of New South Wales

The State Library of New South Wales' major subject strengths are Australian history, culture and literature, including Aboriginal studies, Antarctic exploration, family history and genealogy, business and management, social sciences, applied science, biography, health and law. The State Library is home to one of Australia’s most significant historical and heritage collections. As well as nearly 11 kilometres of manuscripts – from nine 1788 First Fleet journals through to the archives of contemporary organisations and writers – the Library holds more than one million photographs. From the earliest surviving photograph taken in Australia – in January 1845 – through to digital photographs taken last month, the Library’s unrivalled photographic collections document with powerful clarity the way Australians have lived their lives over two centuries. You can find out more about the State Library's photographic collections on our website: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections More broadly the Library’s collecting reach spans a multitude of platforms: the Library’s mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible the documentary heritage of New South Wales. It holds over 5 million items including books, oil paintings, watercolours, architectural plans, engravings & lithographs, magazines and periodicals, posters, ephemera, sheet music, talking books, maps, CD-ROMs, newspapers, microfilm and microfiche, films and videos, computer software, kits, sound recordings, photographs, coins, postage stamps and other objects. Follow us on Twitter @statelibrarynsw

Statistics

Photos	4,927
Zip size	13.2 GB
Views	90,001,338
Comments	18,835
Faves	231,857
Tags	9,196
Contributors	12,534
Date taken	1825–2025
License	No known copyright restrictions (4,927)

Most seen

Ice cased Adelie penguins after a blizzard at Cape Denison, c. 1912, photograph by Frank Hurley

10,248,320 views
Tattooed lady Betty Broadbent, 4 April 1938

2,419,577 views
Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, Sydney, ca. 1939-ca. 1945 / by Sam Hood

672,804 views
Peggy Bacon in mid-air backflip, Bondi Beach, Sydney, 6/2/1937 / by Ted Hood

366,634 views
Study of a small girl with a prize Scottish terrier dog, c. 1935 / by Sam Hood

321,041 views
Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, 1939-1945, by Sam Hood

297,676 views
Start of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, 1971

286,113 views
Musical stars Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard's wedding, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, 16 September 1935 / photograph by Sam Hood

261,182 views
Police Dog, Tess, 29/1/35 / by Sam Hood

259,413 views
Huskies pulling sledge

250,943 views
Valentina Blinova in L'Oiseau de feu [The Firebird], Ballets Russes, Sydney, 1936-1937 / Max Dupain

247,489 views
Billy and Graham Green from the Salvation Army Camp practise a little deceit, Collaroy Beach, ca. 1940 / photographer unknown

224,522 views