Maps

I still use a Gregorys Australian road atlas that we got in 08. It has great maps of all states, and we used it for two laps of the country so far. We also stop at the local garage and pick up local maps for more detail when necessary. There's nothing like a paper plan view map for orientating yourself in real life.

For our extended 2 year saga in 2018, we will probably update to a newer version of the same atlas, which we use concurrently with the camp's Australia wide book.

I have to agree, electronic toilet paper sucks. What to do if your battery is flat and nature calls? I would take the Camps Australia insert latest number book, it's a good all rounder with maps and info. It's even spiral bound so the pages are easy to rip out for toilet emergencies although the paper is a bit glossy.
I don't think I'm a fan of Bidues either, errr.... what are Bidues? :-)

In my opinion you can't go wrong with Hema maps
And if you search through the ExploreOz shop you will find a great spiral bound map book too



Western Australian Hema Map book


ExploreOz Western Australia map book

Id agree that the Roads and Tracks, described as the ExplorOz Western Australia map book in KiwiAngler's post above is the best.

Paul

We use both electronic and and paper based resources when touring....at times, nothing beats a decent sized map so you get a broader scope of your travel area. We always have Camps Australia Wide with us for the stopover / camping locations but one great addition is the Hema spiral bound book [ Australia EASY READ Road and 4WD Atlas ]...big format, larger maps, good detail, easier to read. Available widely and here in the Exploroz shop too (as Adele pointed out earlier re the water heater deal, check postage costs before deciding who has the best price !).

Hi Wayne, depends where you intend travelling.

If its outback roads then the books mentioned are fine but if its remote travel ie travel on old cut lines or wheels pads or trackless country is intended, then maps at 1:250,000 would be best way to go. These show creek lines, lakes, dunes, outcrops, contour lines etc to give you landmarks as you go.

So far in 20 years of GPS use and over 40 of paper maps and compass, the failure rate for both = 2. Low GPS batteries were user error. One map failure was waterlogging; the other was my son sitting on the compass.

But it's not either/or, except for the most part when you're on foot in the Alps and get socked in by cloud. Hard to beat a GPS then.

I think the navigator of A380's uses a GPS now.
I think the big chart table has gone.

Not all of us travell the black top and stay at caravan parks and in this case you can't go wrong with a paper map . Head into the remote deserts ,shot line offtrack, reference points / landmarks a minimum /non existent so a gps is essential to locate your position . Back in the Early 80s before or when gps technogy was developing' Willem Kempen used a sextant to locate the Simpson . geographical Centre other wise how would he have know his position on this part of the earths surface .As for a gps breakdown there would be another's in the group or personally I always have a few gps as backups as well as paper maps to calutate a DMS. If some maps have error its the end waypoint in D'M''S that counts. I totaly disagree with Micheal H9 post 'electronic toilet paper' obviously he have never been offtrack