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Before leaving Rome, Ashby scribbled a brief letter to the BSR’s London-based Secretary, Evelyn Shaw. In it, he explains '[i]t is possible I may not go on to Queensland – there seems less object in it than in S[outh] Australia, Victoria and N[ew] S[outh] Wales.' Also, that Shaw could reach him by letter or telegram at various locations on the following dates:

I leave here [Rome] July 3 or 4, Brindisi 5th at midnight. Next places to catch us are Adelaide, Aug. 8-12: … Melbourne, Aug. 13-19 … Sydney, Aug. 20-26 …  Colombo, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: c/o Thomas Cook and Son. 

Ashby prepared for the trip meticulously. He packed letters of introduction and a memorandum of understanding for meetings with the 'Commonwealth Government people'. He also selected glass lantern slides for his lectures and stored them in a small wooden box for careful transportation. Finally, he included a small camera and extra film to record the journey visually. 
This map charts his route across Australia and the places he photographed in 1914.

Correspondence: Thomas Ashby to Evelyn Shaw, 19 June 1914, BSR Administrative Box 51.