Maps and Resources

USEFUL MAPPING, NAVIGATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES

A good, reliable, and up-to-date map is essential for any walking adventure, whether this is a 20 minute stroll, or a day expedition of several hours!

This listing represents my personal preferences, which I use often.

Hand-held GPS receivers are also useful and some enable loading of maps from the Internet. GPS devices are now available as optional extras with some new cars.

A Pedometer is also useful!

Note: Many maps and books may be purchased from activity / adventure / outdoors / ski/map shops, good booksellers, and through Bushwalking clubs. On-line sales offered by many merchants. Some products are available direct from the publishers.

Many service stations and newsagencies in rural areas also stock local maps.

Many maps and books are available from Information Victoria, local Tourism Bureaux in regional localities, Parks Vic, and DSE offices across the State

Department of Sustainability and Environment - Victoria

Includes free on-line access to the Forest Explorer mapping service, with innumerable features, including the ability to markup / create / save / print PDF maps of selected regions.

Parks Victoria
The custodian of a diverse estate of significant parks in Victoria and of the recreational management of Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers. A huge resource base. Track Notes and Maps free on-line.

Visit Parks Vic Publications for synopses of many books and publications available, of interest to walkers.

Highly recommended are:

"Victoria's National Parks Handbook" and "Greater Melbourne Handbook"

A Parks Vic excellent free 36 page publication is "A Guide to Victoria's Parks, Reserves and Waterways".

LandVic
A division of DSE-Vic. Comprehensive mapping products, including the Spatial Vision series and the Survey and Mapping 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 topographic maps

Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV)

Shop-front sales of maps, walking books, and related titles. Discounts for long service members.

RACV Directory of Country Victoria
Contains comprehensive information about regional Victoria.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) Victoria
Various resources, on-line and shop-front. Some products are available to the general public at RACV shops.

Google Maps. Does not require installation of application software, offering 2D images (free on-line)

Google Earth
Requires installation of application software - 14 MB, offering 3D images (free on-line)

Visit Victoria
Comprehensive information, including facility to create on-line interactive maps

Melway's Directory of Greater Melbourne
Very comprehensive, with many walking tracks shown. Available in standard and large-print editions. Also provides on-line mapping services.

Rooftop Maps
Compiled by Rooftop Mapping Services, Buxton, Victoria. Many excellent detailed maps of Victoria's mountain areas.

Great Dividing Trail Association - Maps
Various maps sold direct to members and non-members, covering the GDTA Trails. See also the entry at Walking Clubs

Memory Map
Excellent hi-tech CD/DVD products - supports GPS navigation and PDA.

Information Victoria
State Government information resources: on-line and shop-front. Provides an enormous range of references, brochures, maps, guides, and tourist information, many free

Bushwalking Victoria
Formerly known as the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs - VicWalk
Proactively represents the interests of all recreational bushwalkers, promotes bushwalking and engages in other activities that add value to the community. Various references available to the general public on-line. See also the entry at Walking Clubs

BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND PUBLICATIONS
Traveller's Guide to the Goldfields
History and Natural HeritageTrails through Central Victoria
Editor:Richard Everest
(Best Shot! Publications)

Books by Tyrone T. Thomas
Many titles covering Bushwalking in Australia, including
40 Bushland and Park Walks in Metropolitan Melbourne
120 Walks in Victoria
60 Walks in Central Victoria's Gold Fields and Spa Country

Books by John Chapman
Many titles covering Australian bushwalking, including
Day Walks - Melbourne
Day Walks - Victoria
Bushwalking in Australia
Extensive on-line references

Books by Glenn Tempest
(Open Space Publshers and Open Space Books)
Various titles, including
Day Walks around Melbourne

Books by Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage
(Boiling Billy Publications)
Various titles, including
4WD Treks close to Melbourne
4WD tracks of the High Country

Books by Nick Underwood
Westate Publishers
4WD Days out of Melbourne

Books by Luke Steenhuis
Published by ABC Maps
Several titles, including
Secret Places of the Upper Yarra Valley - Beauty Spots
Secret Places of the Upper Yarra Valley - Historic Sites
Ghost Towns of the Mountain Goldfields

Bushwalking around Daylesford
Editor: Bob Carseldine
Published by the Bayside Bishwalking Club Inc.and Great Dividing Trail Association Inc.

Books by John and Lyn Daly
Published by Takeawalk Publications
Various titles, including
Take a Walk in Victoria's National Parks

Rail Trails of Victoria and South Australia
Walking, cycling and horseriding trails
Published by Railtrails Australia Inc.

Bicycle Victoria. Bicycle Victoria is a self-funded community organisation, dedicated to getting more people cycling more often. Information about shared walking/cycling trails if provided.

Backpack Victoria. Commercial Website with general information about bushwalking destinations, places to visit, where to stay, things to do, and nightlife, in Victoria.

Australia Adventures. Commercial Website describing bushwalking activities in each State and Territory.

Great Walks . Glossy commrcial magazine, seven isues each year, devoted entirely to bushwalking in Australia. Published by Yaffa Publishing Group. Available in newsaagents, or subscription.

Australia Outdoor Magazine. Large glossy commercial publication, six issues annually. Broad coverage of many and varied outdoor type activities, and includes selected day and longer walk descriptions for Victoria, and other States. Strong focus on equipment. Buy at newsagents or subscribe.

SELECTED MAP RETAILERS
The Map Shop (Victoria)
Melbourne Map Centre|
Guides Galore Bushwalking Books
RECOMMENDED PERSONAL WEBSITES DEDICATED TO WALKING IN AUSTRALIA
Our Hiking Blog. Stories and other information about bushwalking in Australia, by Frank and Sue, from Geelong, Victoria|

Bushwalking in Australia and Overseas. Danny Yee describes in his Website many of his Australian and Overseas bushwalking expeditions.

The Socksite. An extensive listing of Blogs devoted to walking and related activities.

Thanks! I would like to thank the staff of the Healesville, Warburton, and Ferntree Gully Information Centres for their assistance and kindness during my frequent visits!