Good Source of Maps/Route Planning

[4xsama]

Hi,

The beloved and I are heading to the Vic High Country over Christmas and I'm looking for a map (believe it or not).

I've had a look online for some good route planners (Camp Around Australia) and also for a shop that sells maps. Were not looking to do any extreme trips - all on public roads/tracks - but for peace of mind I want to plan the routes and have a resource at hand on the trips too. Thus I thought a good old paper map would be cheap and easy to use. Alternately I was going to consider downloading the map onto our tablet and tracking that way. Both options I want to pre-plan the route.

What options are out there ranging from a topographic map (cheap/easy to read & store), guide book (don't know how often I'll be going to the area so a bit of a cost outlay for possibly a one off), downloadable apps to use on a tablet etc.

Depending on the answers the next questions will probably be 1) where is a good map shop - they all seem to have closed, and 2) whats a good tablet holder.

Apologies for such a naive question. We've always used maps (bought a while ago) or gone to the same area (in WA-Pemberton etc) and things have moved on a bit. Guess I need to catch up.

NOTE: We don't have a Hema and I don't really want to buy one - at least not until we have the time to do more extended trips.

Cheers

[martnH]

In my opinion,
Hema map and their device are below average

I will suggest getting a Garmin topo map. Mine has all the 4wd tracks on it and also hiking tracks. My Garmin Oregon 650T also can do off road navigation.

I find Garmin topo map the most comprehensive.

I would also recommend mudmap.


Cheers

[martnH]

I will also recommend here.com

You can also try their app. It's free and really good offline map.

Here is company owned by Nokia.

All the tracks in watagans (if you in nsw) are on Here map.

None on Hema map

[loanrangie]

Ozi explorer android app is pretty cheap and maps are easy to find.

[travelrover]

For good old paper maps you can try these guys;

Online Map Shop - Huge range of maps, atlases, guides and globes. Delivery around Australia (https://www.mapshop.com.au/index.php)

If you are located in sydney there used to be the government map shop in Bridge street. The name has changed but pretty sure it is still around. Just opposite Macquarie place park cnr Loftus Street

[V8Ian]

Jaycar have a good tablet holder at a very reasonable price,

[4xsama]

Jaycar have a good tablet holder at a very reasonable price,

Cheers. Just had a look at the site an they have a good phone holder too. I need one of them.

Abdrew

[laney]

Parks Victoria have maps if you contact them be aware the high country gets very dry that time of year and burns easily I would be checking with parks before going into the high country on fire conditions but my old stomping ground if you haven't been there before you will enjoy it good luck.[thumbsupbig]

[LRT]

Spatial Vision’s VicMap books are a great paper based resource. SV also do some digital platforms as well but I think it’s just PC based.

The VicEmergency app now uses the VicMap system.

WaiveNet - Login (https://www.svmaps.com.au/order.aspx)

[jon3950]

Just get the Hema High Country map, it is perfectly adequate for what you are doing. Where you are planning to go is either well signposted or its obvious where to go.

I have every map known to man of the High Country and this is the one I keep returning to.

You can buy it online from Hema.

Cheers,
Jon

[weeds]

I agree with Jon.....we did the high country Easter this year, I used the paper map for planning and had hema maps running on the iPad.

If I didn’t already have the hema maps app....the paper map is ore than sufficient for the high country.

[AK83]

.... downloadable apps to use on a tablet etc.

....

Check out OSMAnd.
Not sure if it's iOS compatible, most likely is tho.
Download it, then once loaded on the tablet, go into the map download section and look for any maps you're interested in.
I think you get up to 5 maps free, so eg. you may want your home state, and Vic.
OSM is Open Street Maps, the reason for using OSMAnd, is that you download the map data to the device, not rely on connectivity.

There are some map data you may want to purchase in there somewhere, maybe topo data, camp ground details, or whatever(can't really remember).
You don't need top data, it's just nice to have
Point is it's free, for very occasional users.

If you don't mind spending about $25-30, and have an Android tablet, Ozi Android is about as good as it gets. I can help sort you with some basic maps to start with.
There are some free maps for whole of Aus available too. Hema's maps for it are good, cost is up there tho.

[donh54]

Avenza have lots of free topo maps. Paper, books and electronic are also available from Westprint.

[Xtreme]

Just get the Hema High Country map, it is perfectly adequate for what you are doing. Where you are planning to go is either well signposted or its obvious where to go.

I have every map known to man of the High Country and this is the one I keep returning to.

You can buy it online from Hema.

Cheers,
Jon

Agree with Jon re the Hema High Country map as your paper map planner.

If you also want a free mapping app with free offline maps, I'd recommend maps.me. I first used this when touring Europe recently and found it so good that I have continued to use it on numerous local trips. After downloading the app you then download and store the maps for the area you'll be travelling in/through.

I also run OziExplorer on the same 8" Samsung Tablet but use the Maps.me app mostly due to the navigation feature.

The detail that you get when you zoom into an area with Maps.me is amazing. I've just looked at the area around the Howqua and it shows all the huts and tracks that have been mentioned in your other thread, even the walking tracks !

Regarding mounting hardware for your devices, I use and recommend the RAM Mounts. A bit on the expensive side but they won't drop your device while you're negotiating that rough, steep track.

What part of Sydney are you in? If anywhere near Normanhurst you could call in and discuss/look at some of the alternatives.

[AK83]

....

Regarding mounting hardware for your devices, I use and recommend the RAM Mounts. A bit on the expensive side but they won't drop your device while you're negotiating that rough, steep track.

....

Yeah, but(there's always a but!) ..
The suction cups do age, and then whilst mounted on the glass, they let go.
Your device drops without warning and either scare the bejesuz out of 'ya, or it'll drop whilst just sitting parked, and destroy the fragile micro USB connection port and ruin the device(eg. phone charger)!

Don't need to ask me how I know that ;)
In general tho, I used to be a non believer till I scored one from work, and having used RAM hardware now for many years, not really much else is comparable.

[Xtreme]

Yeah, but(there's always a but!) ..
The suction cups do age, and then whilst mounted on the glass, they let go.
Your device drops without warning and either scare the bejesuz out of 'ya, or it'll drop whilst just sitting parked, and destroy the fragile micro USB connection port and ruin the device(eg. phone charger)!

Don't need to ask me how I know that ;)
In general tho, I used to be a non believer till I scored one from work, and having used RAM hardware now for many years, not really much else is comparable.

I've got a couple of screw mount bases so only use the suction one occasionally but imagine they could be a problem on a very hot day in which case, resetting them occasionally should overcome the possible problem. Still the most positive suction type mount I've encountered.

[Scouse]

where is a good map shop - they all seem to have closed, I've always used the Map Centre in Parramatta. It's been a couple of years since I was last in but they're still going:
Home (https://www.mapcentre.com.au/)

[4xsama]

I've always used the Map Centre in Parramatta. It's been a couple of years since I was last in but they're still going:
Home (https://www.mapcentre.com.au/)

I saw this. We're in Ashfield so I might head out this weekend. This and the Sydney shop (NSW Govt?) were the only two.

Cheers,

Andrew