Smartreka mapping series continues to expand
D’Entrecasteaux National Park in WA’s lower southwest is the most recent addition to the WA Parks Foundation’s Smartreka mapping series, bringing the total so far to fifteen.
D’Entrecasteaux National Park. Photo Credit: @DNAsel
There are three maps for the park: one for the northwest and southeast sections, plus an inset map covering Point D’Entrecasteaux.
The other parks included in the Smartreka maps series are Cape le Grande, Cape Range, Fitzgerald River, Francois Peron, Kalbarri, Karijini, Millstream Chichester, Mount Augustus, Purnululu, Stirling Range and Walyunga national parks. Leeuwin-Naturaliste, Walpole-Nornalup and Yanchep national park maps will be completed by September 2022
The innovative Smartreka maps series, with more maps to follow, has been developed with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and in partnership with BHP.
Using built in GPS capabilities on smartphone or tablet to plot real-time location, the maps make it easier to navigate. If downloaded ahead of your trip while network access is available, this can be done without a network connection and without roaming charges.
“Many of our national parks have little or no mobile reception, so we adopted the development of these free, downloadable Smartreka maps as one of our priority projects and we are grateful to BHP for helping fund them,” said the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC CVO, WA Parks Foundation Chair.
Kangaroo in D’Entrecasteaux National Park. Photo Credit: @993anitat
“The Smartreka maps are a practical tool, giving people the ability and confidence to navigate through vast and remote national parks when offline.” she said.
“We are very appreciative of the Parks and Wildlife staff who have been very engaged in the D’Entrecasteaux maps development and update process.”
The maps provide information on access, park facilities, trails, camping and picnic areas, lookouts, parking, swimming and toilets, plus roads, tracks and safety information. Visitors can measure distances and add place-mark pins and photos. Some maps include wheelchair access and Wi-Fi information.
The free, interactive Smartreka maps can be accessed via the free Avenza Map app from either the Google Play Store or Apple iStore. For more details, click here.
D’Entrecasteaux National Park. Photo credit: Margot Harbot, Love To Wander www.lovetowander.co.uk
