 a 'mud map'
The term 'mud map' is an old
Australian bush saying.
It dates back to the early years of European settlement
when much of the continent was still unexplored and unchartered by white
men.
To outline directions to each other, outback travellers
used to draw maps in the dirt or in the mud after it had rained. These in
turn became known as 'mud maps'.
In those days it was a lonely life droving and roaming
around the bush and the chance to stop and chat for a while with a friendly
face was something to be enjoyed.
Often while sitting around a campfire fellow travellers
would share stories, trade information and pass on the latest news. This
news may have been the latest gold rush or possibly a recent flood and so
the mud map became the focal point for describing the whole event.
The term mud map has remained in the Australian language
particularly with people from the bush. These days however the maps are
usually hand drawn on paper although you may occasionally see someone squat
down and actually draw a map in the mud.
While maps drawn in this way have largely been replaced by
printed maps, the local knowledge of the area which was so vital in days
gone by must still be passed on by the experienced themselves.
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