Maps of the Heysen Trail

There are various maps available, including two official guidebooks. The Heysen Trail can also be viewed in Google Maps, and GPX files are available to download to use on a handheld GPS unit.

Official Guidebooks

Two guidebooks have been released by the Department of Environment, Water & Natural Resources. Book One, the Southern Guide, covers Cape Jervis in the south to Spalding in the Mid-North. Book Two, the Northern Guide, covers Spalding in the Mid-North to Parachilna Gorge in the north. These books supersede the previous fifteen strip maps. From time to time, it is necessary to re-route sections of the Heysen Trail.

The guide books may be purchased online in our shop and leading outdoor retailers.

Google Map Interface

View Google map interface showing the Heysen Trail, photos, accommodation options, re-routes, Fire Ban Districts and Tourism Regions, updated 25/02/13 v3.11

Google Earth file

Download the KML file for use in Google Earth, updated 25/02/13 v3.11.

File for GPS Units

Download the GPX file for use with handheld GPS units, updated 25/02/13 v3.11. Use the file as a navigational aid when walking the Heysen Trail (we strongly recommend also still carrying the guidebook or the relevant pages from it).

The GPX file may be too large for some older GPS units. You may want to check the specifications of your GPS unit. It needs to be able to accept:

• 31 tracks (12 main tracks for each guidebook chapter, 19 tracks for alternative routes or spur trails)
• up to 5,000 points per track
• 150 waypoints

If your unit only accepts 20 tracks, the first 11 tracks uploaded will be overwritten. To reduce the number of tracks to 20 you will need to delete or combine some tracks, this can be done via a program like Garmin Basecamp. These files may need some manipulation in order to reduce the amount of data available, as the file may be too large or cumbersome for your GPS unit, or contain a lot of data not relevant to your walk.

Most newer GPS units will accept the GPX file directly when saved into the GPS unit's internal memory when connected via USB, or sometimes the memory card (often the memory card is dedicated to topographic base maps rather than tracks, routes and waypoints.) For older GPS Garmin units use a program like Garmin Basecamp to transfer the GPX file onto your GPS unit.

Useful links:

• Garmin Basecamp (free software for manipulating and loading GPX files onto Garmin GPS units)
• GPSBabel (free/donation software for converting files from KML files to almost any GPS file type)
• GPS Utility (free software for converting file types and manipulating data - pay for full features)
• OziExplorer (software for converting files and manipulating data)

Where to Purchase Maps

Guidebooks and local maps of towns and areas are available from:

• Friends of the Heysen Trail
  www.heysentrail.asn.au/shop
  Selling maps and books about the Heysen Trail, other trails and bushwalking in general.
• The Map Shop
  www.mapshop.net.au
  Selling local and international map products and travel guides.
• Cartographics
  www.cartographics.com.au
  Selling maps, globes, travel guides, digital maps and GPS.
• RAA
  www.raa.net
  The RAA is South Australia's peak motoring body, also selling local maps, road strip maps, tourist advice and an accommodation booking service.