Putting WA parks on the map
- No network coverage, no worries, with new downloadable maps on your mobile.
- Karijini National Park first geo-referenced map released in the Smart Park series.
Kerry Sanderson (centre) with Jeremy Edwards, CEO of the East Pilbara Shire, and his wife, Amanda in Karijini National Park
The WA Parks Foundation is making it easier for you to navigate Western Australia’s most popular parks with the release of the first series of Smart Park maps.
In partnership with the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and BHP, the new interactive maps can not only be used offline, but also enable you to see your location in national parks in real time.
WA Parks Foundation Chair, Hon Kerry Sanderson AC said, providing the App and the map is downloaded before going out of range, the Smart Park maps use a mobile device’s built-in GPS capabilities to accurately find its current location, without the need for a connection to a network.
“Western Australia’s second largest national park, Karijini in the Pilbara region, is the first park to be mapped in the Smart Park series to help the increasing number of visitors navigate the 627,422 hectares of remote national park,” she said.
“I recently visited Karijini and trialed the new maps and was amazed at the ability to track my location even from the bottom of some of the most spectacular gorges and rock formations, where I had no network coverage.”
“We intend to create Smart Park maps for all of WA’s 101 national parks, but with some of the mostancient, rugged scenery and high visitation in a remote area, Karijini made for a perfect pilot.”
Parks and Wildlife Service Assistant Director of Visitor Services, Rod Annear, said Smart Park maps offer an alternative to the traditional park brochure with map.
“The Smart Park maps will be useful and provide confidence for hikers, campers and park visitors, by providing them with as much information as possible, in real time,” he said.
“Users will know what facilities, trails and activities are available when preparing their visit, as well as discover where the next lookout, toilet, picnic area or swimming hole is as they adventure through the park.
“These maps are being developed with the people on the ground who really know the parks and can provide comprehensive information on how to navigate trails, reach points of interest and find facilities along the way.”
BHP WA Iron Ore Asset President, Edgar Basto, said the Smart Park maps app will help educate even more people about responsible and safe use of Western Australia’s national parks.
“BHP is pleased to be partnering with WA Parks Foundation to support the Smart Park maps project which will enable an impressive level of detail and streamlined navigation to be shared with the public, while they are exploring some of WA’s beautiful landscapes,” he said.
Hon Kerry Sanderson AC has invited the community to share their thoughts about the pilot map series for Karijini National Park.
“As we roll out the Smart Park maps, we invite you to tell us how to improve the maps to ensure they have the right information for all park users,” she said.
“You can also nominate your favourite national park at the WA Parks Foundation website to help us with the long-term planning of the Smart Park mapping program.”
How to get Smart Park Maps:
- Download the Avenza Maps app from either the Google Play Store or Apple iStore to access your Smart Park maps.
- Search for Karijini National Park in the Avenza store to download. Its free!
- Tell us your thoughts, ideas or feedback or nominate your favourite WA national parks.
