One of the biggest things when travelling anywhere is planning where you are going to go and what route you are going to take to get there. Australia is such a huge country and so many areas that we travel into are considered remote. So it is essential that you have reliable and up-to-date maps and guide books.
There are so many maps, books, smartphone apps and GPS systems available now that it can be really hard to choose the right ones for you. It is also very dependent on what type of travel you are going to be doing. If you are going to be getting off the ‘black top’ and doing any sort of four-wheel driving in out-of-the-way locations then you might want to consider a GPS system that has a topographical map component. If you are doing a ‘Tourist Trail’ local maps and guides are essential.
So which maps and guidebooks are the best? We take a look at the most popular ones.
1. The Big Lap Australia Map
The ever-popular map of Australia sticker map. Choose from UV Vinyl for outside use or removable Fabric for indoor use. The perfect map for using a market or Sharpie to track the roads you’ve travelled and the places you visit. Great for kids and adults to trace their travels!
They measure 40cm x 36.7cm and should fit inside most fold-down tables if that’s where you want to put your map.
2. PAPER MAPS
Looking where to buy road maps of Australia?
As good as map apps, Wiki and the Hema Navigator are, I still like a paper map. They give you a broad perspective of the area and are often more detailed.
HEMA Maps are excellent as they produce highly detailed maps of regional areas. We have all heard a few horror stories about GPS systems sending people down the wrong road. So in the event of this happening, a paper map can come in handy. Hema has a detailed map of Australia for travelling around the country.
I also like to visit the local Tourist Information Centres in places we visit and pick up local tourist maps and guides. These can often provide you with more local knowledge than the bigger maps may provide.
Click here to discover the different Hema Maps for every state and territory
3. Camps Australia Wide Pendium – Limited Edition Box Set
Camps Pendium is your ultimate guide to finding the perfect campsite or
With larger maps and print in a convenient B4 size, CampsPendium even offers pet-friendly spots with all their symbols marked right on the map pages – so you can plan an adventure that everyone will enjoy.
Plus each colour-coded book includes listings of dump points throughout whichever state or territory coordinates with your itinerary; get everything you need while being lightweight enough to fit comfortably on your lap as travel near and far.
Simply choose the state book you need, place the book in the fold-out jacket and you are good to go!
•The book includes new symbols for donations, pets seasonal, generators, gas bottles, glamping, laundry, games rooms, fishing and four-wheel drive access.
• It is backed by almost 30 years of research with over 1.2 million guidebooks sold.
• It is the most trusted and comprehensive resource for freedom and low-cost camping in Australia with every camp site type included.
• Proudly Aussie-owned with every site personally checked – it also includes a FREE App subscription!
Click here for more information and the price for the Camps Pendium Box Set
4. CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE
Camps Australia Wide is one of the top travelling Australia books and has been around for a number of years. It is up to edition 11. It has a very comprehensive list of free and low-cost campsites as well as detailed HEMA maps, GPS coordinates, dump points and so much more. Each book is broken down into sections by state, with maps at the front of the section. Campgrounds are identified by numbers that appear on the map. Each campground has a description and if you purchase the ‘snaps’ edition you will find pictures on most listings.
You can now also get it as an App for your iPad or Tablet. Everything that is included in the book and app has been vetted by the book authors. So you know that the information is accurate, unlike some other apps that contain unverified information submitted by the general public.
Click here for more information and the price for the Camps 11 Australia map book
5. WIKI CAMPS
The Wiki Camps app is arguably the most popular camping app of the many Australian apps available. It is available for download to your phone or tablet and for a mere $7.99 it’s certainly great value. Amongst its many features, it has a comprehensive list of so many campsites and tourist attractions, as well as dump points, rest areas and places where you can fill your water tanks. You are able to create your own travel routes, save favourite spots and upload your own reviews and pictures.
Perhaps the only drawback with Wiki is that some of the reviews may be unreliable as some people’s experience of a campground may be completely different to others. I know we have read a few negative reviews of places and then absolutely loved staying there.
Click here for more information and the price for Wikicamps
6. HEMA NAVIGATOR (GPS)
Perhaps the ultimate GPS system, especially for off-road navigation for your big lap around Australia is the Hema HX-2 Navigator. It is the upgraded version of the HX-1 version. The main differences between the two models are new support for the cloud environment, a new mapping platform and new hardware.
The Hema HX-2 comes with two modes – Drive Mode and Explore Mode. With a 7-inch touch screen that allows you to zoom in for a closer look, it features Australia’s best tracks, trails and places off the beaten track. Plus with 45000+ points of interest including lookouts, campsites &
Click here for more information and the price for the Hema HX-2
STORING YOUR MAPS
Storing maps when travelling, so they aren’t spread everywhere in your car can be a problem. I love this vinyl case that keeps our maps altogether. It’s slim and light so fits anywhere. As it has divided pockets I can keep my maps organised by state or region.
We hope our selection of maps and guidebooks has helped with your planning a lap around Australia or your next camping trip.
Let us know in the comments below what other maps or guidebooks do you use?
Find all the best places to camp with Camps Pendium. 1 guide for each state (7 total) with easy-to-read large text and full-sized photos.
Includes
Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
Still using my Camps Oz 7 and loving it so the 11 is on my xmas list …
They are great books!
Where did you get the folder for your maps please?
Hi Sue
There is one available to store your maps here https://bit.ly/44S8ais
I’m trying to decide between camps 11, camps pendium or big lap bible. Do all of them have list of things to do along the way?
Camps and the BLB have different information. We suggest you have a look at their content and see if it matches what you are looking for in terms of things to do.
I might have to keep my eye out for that camps australia book!
It’s such a great book….the authors do an awesome job of collating all the info and keeping it up to date.
The Camps Australia Wide book is great. I still like to look at a book instead of apps
Yes…me too!