Whats a good map?

[lemmiwinks]

For showing minor (especially dirt) roads in NSW? I've got Hemma Maps "Outback NSW" which I found to be very good, but its only from about Walgett west. I was thinking Hemma Maps "NSW Handy Map" might be a goer, but I don't know how good the detail is. They say they show minor and secondary roads, but how minor I'm wondering.

I was also thinking of getting some forestry maps, particularly Walcha and Glen Innes as I think you can ride through state forests provided your bike is registered yes?

[Humungus]

There was a joint in Toowoomba a few years back called 'Sun Map' Their books were hand drawn & showed every road right down to goat tracks that were no longer used. $10 from memory. I just had a quick google & couldnt find their home site but they are very detailed for back roads.

[Burren Rider]

G'Day Lemmiwinks,

I think you might have passed by out the front of the camping store in Armidale a couple of weeks ago. I don't reckon there are too many Freewinds running around out there though so it could have been.

As for maps, I generally use the NRMA maps for dirt road touring and they are very good, far more detail than you would expect. The forestry maps are great for exploring the more out of the way trails and in theory you should legally be able to ride on any of the tracks marked. The only problem with this is that the maps are a bit old (last surveyed in the '70's I believe) and therefore some of the roads have been closed and others have been fenced off by irrate land owners. Generally though most of them are still accessible on two wheels.

[atgreg]

I find the HEMA maps very good. The whole of NSW map is pretty good but I prefer the region maps eg Vic High Country , NE NSW etc etc. For Outback stuff the HEMA Outback NSW and Outback Qld are fantastic and also look at Westprint maps, excellent detail and lots of historical info on the back. I find the print on the HEMA handymapbook a bit small, could be my ageing eyes , but the sheet maps are fine.

http://www.hemamaps.com.au/

http://www.westprint.com.au/

Greg

[Frank Warner]

Tried a white pages search on map Toowoomba

TOOWOOMBA MAPPING CENTRE
185 Herries St Toowoomba 4350
(07) 4632 3848

Maplebrook Pty Ltd
104 Campbell St Oakey 4401
(07) 4691 2742

Balzer M A & P A
..Frmrs Evanslea-Yarranlea Rd Irongate 4356
(07) 4693 8162

.... possibly 'Sun Map' is there trading name for a product? Whatever ..

I've found no single map will tell all, if youget three maps you'll find tracks on one that don't exist on the otehrs, while one of the others will have tracks that don't occure on teh rest.. the more maps you have the better.

You need to go look in a good map shop - they should have the Geo Science - (they have changed their name again - was NatMap then AusLig ... !!!#@$!@#42) 1:250,000 series topo maps - they have good detail but you need a lot of them to cover Aus .. about 100.

Try
http://www.ga.gov.au/ - you can get an overview of OZ with the boarder of teh maps so you can select what ones you want .. or you could buy the lot on CD for $99.

[lemmiwinks]

Thanks for the tips guys. I was looking on the exlporeoz.com website (which is where I bought my Hemma Outback NSW map) and just assumed they had the full range of Hemma maps. I will try the Hemma site, also maybe NRMA since I'm a member. I've eyed off the toppos before and while you certainly can't fault the detail, as Frank points out, you'd need a lot to cover a decent area.

That could have been me the other day Burren Rider! Funnily enough though, especially in a town the size of Armidale, there is another Freewind! It's identical to mine (except without the scratches from crashing on the way back from the Sapphire Rally ) but he has a top box. Actually, since he works at Dave Robbins Sports Power it was more likely to be him than me. Unless you meant the other camping store near SuperMoto, in which case it was more likely me

[Humungus]

Originally Posted by Frank Warner

Tried a white pages search on map Toowoomba

TOOWOOMBA MAPPING CENTRE
185 Herries St Toowoomba 4350
(07) 4632 3848

.

Herries St is it frank...i picked up the book for my father. I think i have the name confused with Sunmap. Either way it is a good sized book that you choose which area it covers.

It has everything like fire roads & stock routes. All black & white & hand drawn but very detailed. I will get it from my father & paste a few up to show you the detail when i see him next...he still has the book.

[ozadvntr]

Yes,

It was Sunmap as you stated, changed names some time back. The book you mentioned is a Darling Downs centric book, lot's of back roads and tracks and well detailed.

That's how RTO does his Magical Mystery tous with such effect.

Mick

[Humungus]

Originally Posted by ozadvntr

Yes,

It was Sunmap as you stated, changed names some time back. The book you mentioned is a Darling Downs centric book, lot's of back roads and tracks and well detailed.

That's how RTO does his Magical Mystery tous with such effect.

Mick

Thanks mick...do you know if these maps are still avail ? Place still open ?

[slowbike smallpenis]

The C'wealth Topo section or lands office should have plenty - though the scale may be restrictive - why not ask at the local Bushfire Brigade where they get there's from and contact that authority to see if they have any for the region you want to visit. I picked up some for the Shoalhaven region - I had to get 4 all up to show the trails from Wandandian to Nerriga - but they are not pocket size - 1 fits on my desk !

[ozadvntr]

Yes, as stated by Frank, the Shop is in Herries St.

I am sure the maps are still available. You can also get them from some servo's in Toowoomba.

Mick

[Trevor S]

SunMap was a QLD Government Mapping corporation, I don't think it still exists. Some mapping stores where agencies for them.

As to what are the best maps, without a doubt the 1:250,000 series NATMAP (and 1:100,000 if you need a larger scale). Too expensive and cumbersome (on a bike) in any other format then electronic IMO. You can get all of OZ for $100 or so.

I use it exculsively on my desktop for trip planning, along with on my Pocket PC for in the field use on the BMW. Study the legend so you understand what line weights/styles are assigned to what sort of roads.

http://www.gpsoz.com.au/natmap_2003.htm

I use Oziexplorer exclusively on the desktop ad PocketPC. I print out A3 size prints on my A3 colour printer if I want a hardcopy for use in the field.

[woafa]

Lemmi,,
I use the State Forests regional maps, backed up with relavant Topographical maps, in a map case, all shoved down behind the headlight (dont have a GPS).

The SF maps are great for scale, but as was said, you can have access issues if you cross private property. As for riding in SF with rego,, No problems :)

as far as Most rangers and police are concerned, as long as you have rego and pass the 'dickhead' test, little things like mirrors, indicators and aftermarket pipes get overlooked.


daniel

[uber jebus]

Hey sorry to bump this but I went and got that map book from the Toowoomba Mapping Centre today. At least I think its the one you were talking about. Either way it looks really good and I think it will serve me well for the next few years. Of course being hand drawn there are a few little problems. It doesn't distinguish between tar and dirt roads, some of the roads are drawn strangely (not inaccuratly but it can look a tad funny at times) and I found a typo but I'm generally happy with the book. I would recommend it to anyone who rides in the area if they don't know the back roads very well ... like me!

Some extra info: Its called Downs Lockyer 6 - Roads and Street Directory and I found out that if you can't be bothered to go up to Toowoomba you can buy it on the internet for the same price as in the store. Although I don't know good that particular web store is.

http://www.mapsdownunder.com.au/cgi-.../BOBDOW01.html

Anyways thanks guys for the info. I've been looking for for a map like this for ages. Also does anyone know if there is something similar for north of Brisbane?

[FJRthommo]

you can still get sunmap, i was talking to a bloke at kilarney at easter and he said they were near the noosa/cooroy area, i'll have to go digging, he did give me contact details.