Hawkesbury travel tips: printed maps still matter for road trips and adventures!

One of the most sought-after items in a Visitor Centre are maps. Maps and directions. That’s right, the old school printed maps haven’t been entirely forgotten about and if anything, they are making a comeback in the popularity stakes. And why wouldn’t they? They don’t go flat, they don't rely on a strong data signal and even better there’s no automated voice mispronouncing all the street names. A map also allows you to view and plan your journey on one page, not spread across multiple screens.

Touring maps are crafted for travelers. They include details on tourist drive routes, landmarks, fuel stations, rest stops and other amenities.

Printed maps are dependable navigation tools, giving you reliable directions regardless of signal strength or battery life!

The right map presents your entire itinerary in one view, and it makes spotting alternate routes, gauging distances, and scheduling stops become so much easier. Highlighter anyone?

Maps do more than guide the way - they build valuable skills along the journey. Using a map encourages confidence in reading legends, understanding scale, and navigating the world around you.  Take the opportunity to refresh your own map reading know-how and share the skills with the next generation.

Maps can be a keepsake too, a map becomes a memento preserving cherished travel memories for years to come.

While we're not suggesting everyone rushes out to stock a library of street directories in their glove box. We do want you to know that the maps available at the Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre are for anyone that prefers to fold a map than to download one.

We stock a range of Hema touring maps covering most Australian states, as well as popular City-to-City routes like Sydney to Melbourne and Sydney to Brisbane. For travelers planning the ultimate road trip we also carry the full map of Australia (ideal for travelers doing the “lap” of our sunburnt country, as a whole or in sections). Prices start at $16, which honestly is probably far less than the fuel you’d use driving around lost with the way fuel prices are these days! And better yet, no postage – just call in to purchase. However, if you can’t call in, we can post to you.

Another popular map is the “Map of Big Things”. Used by some like a bingo card of destinations they’ve been and plan to go to next, it helps families plan and navigate to destinations unknown and often roads that are less travelled. The big thing map covers over 200 big things Australia wide everywhere from the Big Pineapple to the Big Merino, the Big Prawn to the Big Bogan (yep, there is a big Bogan, showcasing one town’s sense of humour). It would make a great gift for families that like to travel.

The Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre stocks a local range of topographic maps for the avid bushwalkers or others that like to know the lay of the land they explore.

Prefer folding maps over swiping screens?  Call in and see us, we are open 7 Days, 9am to 4pm.