Good navigation skills make every walk more enjoyable — and in remote terrain, they can make all the difference. Whether you're just getting started or want to sharpen your skills, here are the resources we recommend.
Start Here: Essential Apps
Every hiker with a smartphone should have these two apps installed before they head out:
Maps.Me: A free GPS app that works offline and shows your location at all times. Simple, reliable, and comes in handy often on the trail.
Emergency+: A free app that uses your phone's GPS to provide precise location details to emergency services when you call 000. Note: this requires mobile data, so it doesn't replace a PLB or satellite device in remote areas.
AllTrails: A trail discovery and navigation app with over 500,000 routes worldwide, including thousands across Australia. Browse trails by difficulty and length, read recent condition reports from other hikers, and follow your GPS position on the map. Note: downloading maps for offline use requires an AllTrails+ subscription — worth having if you're heading somewhere without reliable signal.
Want to go deeper?
If you'd like to build proper navigation skills, there are a few great ways to do it:
Topographic maps
Most state governments offer free downloadable topographic maps in PDF format. Upload them to your phone before you leave, and you'll always have detailed maps on hand. In this region, we typically reference NSW 9540-1N Huonbrook and 9541-2S Burringbar.
