GPS Navigation

GPS Notes by Boots N’ All Participants:

In 2026, our current update of this page, technology, pricing and licensing conditions have again moved on since our previous 2022 update, and we appreciate Phil Andrew putting in the time and effort to research the current best options for GPS navigation.

Why learn about GPS at all? For a start, there are over 2000 gpx files (and Google Earth kml files for many of these) in our GPX Map Files collection, covering walking tracks and routes from the mundane, close-to-home places (good for practising your skills) to some of Tasmania’s most challenging wilderness locations. Don’t always expect to find a track, but the gpx file might lead you through what might otherwise seem impenetrably rugged and scrubby terrain.

Hand-held GPS or Mobile Phone with GPS?

This discussion started as something of a debate between two schools of thought – those who prefer the wider range of features and on-screen maps available on mobile phones, and those who feel that the rugged construction and different ways of operating make the hand-held GPS a safer option. Of course, you might carry both, and use one for basic navigation, and the other for checking the map!

HAND-HELD GPS UNITS

Accuracy:

Like mobile phones, hand-held GPS devices have improved over time. Current models are ruggedised and have excellent accuracy, even in adverse conditions such as valleys and forests, due to more advanced antenna technology. This is also true for most, but not all, mobile phones. The entry-level Garmin Rugged Handheld eTrex SE is the current equivalent of the ETrex 10 described in our linked page, and can be bought from about $220. Older models can certainly still be used, but many, including earlier Etrex models (pre Etrex 10, 20, 30 series), perform poorly in forest and deep valleys, and even earlier ones suffer from a lack of a USB interface. [they have “serial” interfaces, which are obsolete, and not found on modern computers and laptops.]

Ease of Use:

CLICK HERE for some notes on how one Boots N’ All leader uses the Garmin Etrex 10.
More recent GPS devices such as the Etrex 10 and presumably rival brands such as Magellan, can be simply hooked up to your computer with a USB cable, drop the .gpx file into a particular folder, and the track and waypoints accompanying this email are loaded and ready to use. [gpx files are the most common way of saving and sharing tracks and waypoints, and are usually included on this website to help people prepare for forthcoming walks.]
The more up-market models allow maps to be uploaded and viewed on their screens. However, the screens are quite a bit smaller than those on smartphones! We would need some additional comments from people who are familiar with using uploaded maps on GPS devices, instead of the basic track and waypoint method described in the linked page. If you really need a detailed on-screen map, you are probably better off using a smartphone, perhaps even a retired one in conjunction with a “power bank”, because you don’t even need a SIM card to use satellite navigation.

It is possible to use a hand-held GPS without ever uploading tracks or waypoints. To do this, you to read your position off the GPS and then plot it on a paper map to see where you are.

Other advantages:

·    waterproof and rugged: will withstand being dropped and mistreated, to a good degree.
·    Good battery life (usually 14-24 hours per set) and most use readily available AAs or AAAs
·    Can be used in any weather without risk that a touchscreen might behave erratically when wet or when fingers are very cold.

Disadvantages:

·    Cost might be hard to justify if you are only an occasional walker. See Cost below.
·    Can be complicated to use. See Ease of Use above.
·    Although even the cheaper ones without micro-SD card slots will still accept some uploaded maps, the maps available for Tasmania are not very detailed and are very slow to load and use. [this may have changed in more recent models]
·    Older models do not give good satellite reception in thick forest, and at times in deep valleys.

Cost:

Per above, the Garmin Rugged Handheld eTrex SE can be bought locally from about $220 (mid-2026 pricing).
More expensive models now include on-screen maps and touch screens, and serious walkers on major expeditions are more likely to carry more advanced communicators, with a range of devices that include satellite communicators, although some of these, such as base models in the Garmin Inreach and Spot Gen4 series, do not have actual screens, and rely on an app on an accompanying mobile phone for creating and receiving messages via the satellite device. This moves away from the basic use of a handheld GPS device, and probably could do with a separate article explaining the how and why features.
A good range of all these GPS devices can be bought from outdoors outfitters and Tamar Marine in Launceston, or from on-line sellers.

SMART PHONES WITH GPS

All modern smartphones have an internal GPS chip*. This makes them superb for turn-by-turn navigation when driving, but they are just as useful for wilderness navigation, provided the user has installed suitable maps and software enabling the loading and saving of tracks and waypoints. On that basis, they can be even more useful than hand-held GPS devices, especially if a change of plans during the walk has resulted in visiting an area that was not covered by waypoints and tracks pre-loaded into the device before setting out.
* Recent experience (2021 onwards) suggests that Motorola phones have an inferior GPS chip which gives erratic results in some conditions.
Accuracy:
As mentioned, (most) modern mobile phones have a GPS component which is highly accurate, on a par with the better hand-held GPS devices.
Cost:
As many people these days already have a smartphone, any associated cost will be in relation to maps, software and accessories that assist in protecting the phone and using it under adverse weather conditions.

Advantages:

·   No extra cost, if you already have one. (See How to use a smart phone as a GPS at minimal cost below.)
·   Easy to pull out and see exactly where you are on the map on a beautiful clear colour screen.
·   They do a remarkably good job maintaining satellite reception even in thick forest.
Disadvantages:

·    Not as rugged as hand held GPS receivers, although many smart phones are water resistant or even waterproof. You can readily purchase protective and waterproof cases which are a great help. Phil Dawson uses a Sea to Summit floppy plastic sleeve, from Paddy Pallin, costing $25, to make his smartphone fully waterproof. Phil Andrew purchased a simple waterproof phone case for $12 at BCF in Launceston. The J Burrows Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch is available in the travel section (not the mobile phone section) at Officeworks for $9 and works well.

There are a number of ruggedized Android phones about (in 2026). Telstra sells a couple, but do a web search (limit search to Australia and past year) and read the specifications and reviews carefully. Phil Dawson uses a ruggedised Ulefone, available in Australia. Follow Ulefone link. He offers the following advice;
Samsung sells the XCover and XCover Pro – these are android phones with replaceable battery, MicroSD card slot, IP 68 rated. Ruggedphones.com.au sell a range of rugged phones. Ulefone seems the best – it is IP 69 rated – available from ulefone.com. Various sized batteries are available. I have one with a 10,000 mAh battery which lasts 3 weeks. Smaller and larger battery capacities available. The IP ratings have two numbers. The first indicates solid object protection (0–6), and the second indicates liquid/water resistance (0–9). Most phones are 8 which is ok under water for 30 seconds. 9 is 30 minutes, meaning you can snorkel with it.

·  Battery life can be a concern, though less so with newer phones and their better batteries. Phil Andrew says his phone uses about 1% battery per hour of walking if he is just recording his track, that is, it lasts for days on end. Even if it is used for active navigation with frequent activation of the screen it will only use about 3% per hour and so will still last several days. It is very important that flight mode is turned ON because if the phone is “hunting” for a network, it will use a great deal more battery power. Please note that cell network reception is NOT needed for GPS satellite reception, as they are completely unrelated (so using a retired phone with a power bank is an option if you are worried about scratching, dropping or drowning your expensive smartphone). Most smart phones now do not have removable batteries so for longer trips, it is advisable to carry power banks for extra power, which weigh a lot more than AA batteries. (There are numerous makes and models, for as little as $15 from Officeworks and other retailers. The trade-offs are weight and charging speed and capacity. An entry level model has 5000 mAh capacity, can charge at 10w and weighs about 100 grams. At the top of the Officeworks range are models with 20000 mAh capacity and 20w charging output, but weighing 425 grams. These are still relatively affordable at $79 but the extra weight is always a consideration for extended backpacking trips.

HOW TO USE A SMART PHONE AS A GPS AT MINIMAL COST.

(Notes by Phil Andrew)
There are a number of mobile phone applications available at the moment which will serve well for navigation in Tasmania. Many of our regular Boots ‘n’ All walkers already use them. Examples include Memory-Map, OziExplorer, Maps.me, Organic Maps, Google Maps, OS Maps, Outdoor Active, Polaris GPS, All Trails, Back Country Navigator XE, Gaia GPS, Australia Topo Maps, Avenza Maps, GPS Waypoints Navigator and several others. All have advantages and disadvantages over one another, but any one of them is a reasonable and workable choice for navigation in Tasmania.
Set the Phone Permissions for the App!
Whichever app you end up choosing to use, it is important to make sure that your phone gives it permission to access the location services at maximal level to obtain the best satellite connection and tracking. You can check this in the Android system by going to Settings>Apps>Your Apps. Scroll down to the navigation app you are using then tap Permissions>Location. If the option “Allow all the time” is shown, select that. If not, select the next best (“Allow only while using the app”). In either case ensure that the “Use Precise Location” option at the bottom of the screen is also selected. It is worth checking these settings from time to time because sometimes system updates can reset them to the default (which may be “Don’t Allow”) without you being aware of it. If this happens you may get very poor tracking.

These apps come at a variety of costs. Understandably, you might be reluctant to outlay a large sum until you are sure you will find the app useful in practice, so it makes sense to begin with those that are available for free. The problem is that, to the best of my knowledge and as of early 2026, there are no free apps that offer the ability to use high quality detailed maps and that also allow you to access these off line when you are out of mobile range. Some allow use of maps offline, but these are not really good enough quality for bushwalking in Tasmania. Others allow use of good quality maps but do not allow offline use, meaning they would not be useful for wilderness walks out of phone range. I have downloaded and tried out all of the above listed apps. I will now share with you my recommendations, from cheapest to most expensive.

At the most basic level, you may already use Google Maps for car navigation and finding businesses etc. The “terrain” view is actually not bad for basic navigation in easier areas, with very up-to-date road and track information, and with 20m contour lines at some zoom levels. These can sometimes be more useful than the TasMap 1:25000 maps, which can be up to 40 years old. You can download map areas of interest for offline use. See “how to” HERE. Just remember that the maps will need to be renewed on your device after 1 month. (You wouldn’t want the map to expire half-way through a major expedition, though!)

Avenza Maps allows access to a range of maps worldwide and it is easy to see those available for your particular area on the Avenza Maps website. Many of these  are free, such as the interestingly named “Get Lost” 1:75,000 series, with 50m contour lines. However, most of these are very basic and would not be adequate for bushwalking in Tasmania. You would need to purchase 1:25,000 maps of Tasmania, (confusingly shown as “by nswtopo” on the website) that correspond with the Tasmanian Government TasMaps 1:25k series, for $2.99 each. There are over 400 of these to cover all of Tasmania, but if you only want to use Avenza in a few selected areas you can try it out quite cheaply. The free version no longer allows the import of custom maps not obtained from the Avenza repository, but allows the import of data in GPX and KML format. It will also export data as GPX or KML files and allows recording of tracks, setting of waypoints (which it calls placemarks), navigating to waypoints or tracks and so on. There are some very good written help files on the website (https://www.avenzamaps.com/help/tutorials/).  Avenza Maps can be a good place to start and will serve you well anywhere in Tasmania, or the world for that matter, just as long as you keep forking out for each map as you need it. (The Pro version is a US $35 annual cost).

However, if you think you will need to use more than about 6 maps it may be better to consider the Polaris navigation system. Polaris GPS is the free version. The basic topographic map only has 20m contour lines however sections of it can be downloaded for offline use. Although you can record tracks and waypoints only 3 can be stored and it does not allow import or export of gpx data. So the free version is quite limited but you can at least get an idea of how it works for no cost before buying the paid version, which is called GPS Waypoints Navigator. A once off payment of $17 will get you a perpetual licence to use the app and access a range of maps not only for Tasmania but anywhere in the world. You will also be able to download quite a number of these maps for offline use. One of these is the Open Topographic map, which although not the TasMaps 1:25K series still has sufficient detail, such as 10m contour lines, and so is usable for bushwalking in Tasmania. The app also allows you to import tracks and waypoints from gpx and kml files, and in turn to export the tracks and waypoints that you record as you walk or ride. For someone who plans to do a lot of walking in many different parts of Tasmania or indeed anywhere else, this is probably the cheapest option. There is a good YouTube video explaining how to use the app here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX2D90rO1LM&t=53s. Both apps are available on the Google Play store, however to my knowledge are unfortunately not available for iPhone..

The next level option to consider is Back Country Navigator XE, which is available on the Google Play store and the Apple Store. There is a free version which allows use of a number of maps such as OpenStreetMap, and in particular also the topographic base map from the Tasmanian Government ListMap website. It also allows import and export of data in gpx format. Although the free version does not allow offline use of maps, it can be good for learning how to use it around your home or in areas where there is good internet or phone network. Once you are satisfied with the app you can pay the US$15 annual subscription fee and you will be able to download maps for offline use. For a one-year trial, that is quite a good deal.

An alternative option at this price point is Australia Topo Maps. This uses Tas Topo maps similar to GPS Waypoints Navigator with good detail. It allows you to add waypoints and record tracks, and also to export this data. However the free version does not allow importing of data so you would not be able to follow or use externally sourced tracks or waypoints, such as the gpx and kml collection of tracks on the Boots ‘n’ All website [link]. The free version also does not allow downloading of maps for offline use. It is also not available on the Apple Store as far as I am aware, only on Google Play. Because of this it might not be as good a choice as Back Country Navigator XE for some people. Annual subscription is similar, namely AU$25.

Yet another alternative at this level is Outdoor Active, which uses a very good version of Open Street Maps with 10m contour lines as a base map. It can also import and export data as .gpx files. A subscription is required to download maps for offline use and is $48 per year. This could be an excellent option if are willing to pay this amount. Phil Dawson uses this app and finds it to be very good. He comments, The best free tracking app now is OutdoorActive, a company which purchased ViewRanger a few years ago. The free app has open cycle map which has very good up-to-date roads and track. The subscription version has 6 maps covering Tassie, which can be helpful for those areas with lots of different-aged tracks. Other maps cover overseas, so useful if you travel.

If after using these apps, you feel that it is likely you will continue using them for more than a year or two it may be more cost effective to move on to a further option, which is Memory-Map. It is available for both Android and iPhone, however while the iPhone app has improved in recent years it is still not as good as the Android version. The app is free to download and install and includes 1:250K maps for Australia. While these are useful for road driving, they will not be detailed enough for bushwalking. You need to access the online map store from within the app and there, for a $59 outlay for one device, you can download the TasMaps 1:25K topographic maps for the whole of Tasmania and these will be excellent for bushwalking here. Alternatively, you can buy a licence for five devices (3 portable and 2 PCs) for $150, which is actually better value per device (however this does not apply for the iPhone version as there is no native Memory-Map app for Mac OS). The Memory-Map phone app allows all the functions that have been described above for other apps, such as importing and exporting of data, recording of tracks and waypoints, navigating to waypoints and so on. The PC version is also a very powerful mapping program enabling route planning, import-export of routes, tracks, waypoints and maps, and naming of same. If you use an Android device in conjunction with a Windows PC or laptop, this is probably the best value-for-money for those who want to invest in paid mapping and navigation software using 1:25K TasMaps for the whole of Tasmania. Having said that, I don’t actually use it myself, however our Boots ‘n’ All leader colleague, Dr. Phil Dawson, has extensive experience with it and highly recommends it. So if you have questions or need help with it it would be best to contact him and he is happy to advise: pidasms@gmail.com.

Another application which has only been partly investigated by Basil T at time of writing is OruxMaps. The free version can no longer be installed via Google Play Store, which means side-loading the download from their website. For that reason, and because the free version does not easily allow the import of custom maps, we do not recommend it. The paid version, US $7.99 for a perpetual licence, is a better proposition, and still very affordable. It is reputed to be “a highly customisable, feature-dense Android navigation app. You can import GeoTIFFs (custom maps), though you may need to use its built-in tools or a desktop companion to convert the file into an SQLite database or RMAP format for seamless mobile rendering.” We would be happy to hear from anyone who has made good use of this app in the Tasmanian context.

Finally mention should be made of OziExplorer. It does similar things to Memory-Map. Many of us use this app. I have done so for over 25 years, so have good knowledge of it. The Android version costs $32 to buy and the perpetual licence allows you to use it on any of your Android devices – phone, tablet etc (there is no iPhone version that I am aware of). However, the included maps are extremely basic and so for bushwalking you will need to purchase maps separately.  1:25,000 TasMaps are $2.00 per map or $250 for the whole state, 414 maps as a bundle, click here: https://tasmapshop.au/products/digital-complete-state-1-25000-coverage. These maps are now quite outdated and though still very useful (in fact preferred by many of us) they have been officially replaced by the newer 1:50,000 maps. These are $5.95 each or $330 for the whole state, 75 maps – click here: https://tasmapshop.au/collections/1-50-000-topographic-maps . For mapping enthusiasts it is possible to scan paper maps, and use a calibration process to import such maps into the software. This can sometimes be of interest in locating roads and tracks that officially no longer exist. The PC version of OziExplorer costs $130 (perpetual licence) and although you can manage without this (see below), it will allow you to exchange information easily between your computer and your phone. As you can see this is among the more expensive of the available options, especially if you are doing a lot of walking and need access to many maps, but if, like some BNA people, you have held the licence for many years, the “per annum” cost might justify the initial outlay when compared with the other apps already described.

Notes about TasMaps downloadable formats from Phil D:
TasMaps sells each 1:50000 map as a geotiff which requires conversion to use in MemoryMap and OziExplorer, as a geoPDF which imports straight into Avenza Maps (paid version), and as a KMZ, which opens in Google Earth, but not Google Maps. I believe there is a way to navigate in the Google Earth app. I have asked TasMap for more information as I can’t find anything about KMZ maps online, only tracks.

Planning Walks on your Computer

Applications such as Memory-Map and Ozi Explorer have computer-based versions which make it easy to create and modify tracks and waypoints which can then be uploaded to your phone as gpx files. Several of the apps described above do not include a computer-based version to allow easy exchange of data between phone and computer. However, by accessing the Tas. government ListMap,  you can use a very good topographical map of Tasmania to plot your route at home on your computer before your walk and then export the data in gpx or kml format to your device to use in the field. You can also import your track back into ListMap when you get back for more detailed analysis and to share with others.

Another option is GPX Studio. This is a web based application, completely free of charge (https://gpx.studio/) that allows you to plot and export routes, just as ListMap does. However in some ways this app is perhaps a little more straightforward to use and also has very good help files available.

Alternatively, you can draw a custom route in Google Earth and export it as a KML file. You will need to use the Google Earth Pro desktop application for the built-in drawing and exporting tools, as follows:
Open Google Earth Pro on your computer.

1. Navigate to the location where you want to draw your route.
2. Click the Add Path button (the icon that looks like three dots connected by lines) in the top toolbar.
3. In the dialog box that appears, name your route (e.g., “Ben Lomond traverse”).
4. Without closing the dialog box, click on the map to start drawing your route point-by-point. You can click and drag to trace lines smoothly.
5. Click OK in the dialog box when you have finished drawing the route.
6. Your new route will appear in the “Places” panel on the left side of your screen. Right-click on the route’s name.

Select Save Place As… and choose KML from the file type dropdown menu. (KMZ is also an option, but KML files are more like GPX files in structure, and easier to convert in readiness to upload to your device. There are several free online tools to do such conversions. GPS Visualizer [link] is one of the better known options.) Choose a location on your computer and click Save.

We hope this has been of some help to you. If you have any questions or comments, or if you need help or advice about any of the above, please feel free to email me on pandrew.tas@gmail.com or Phil Dawson on pidasms@gmail.com.
Phil Andrew