Meet the mapmakers recording every remote road in Australia to keep travellers safer
In the Victorian High Country, a team of mapmakers embarks on a mission to chart the nation's most remote and rugged tracks. Their goal is to ensure travellers' safety by meticulously documenting even the most challenging routes. Team leader Rhys Holmes reveals their ambitious plan: "We're on the road with the Map Patrol, capturing tracks that might have changed due to the long snowy season. Today's weather demands caution."
The Map Patrol, conceived by the Australian company Hema Maps in the late 1990s, is a dedicated team that traverses the continent, covering 100,000 kilometres annually to record every road. This meticulous approach is crucial as Australians increasingly rely on mobile phone apps like Google Maps, which often lack coverage in regional areas and fail in remote locations due to limited phone range. Hema mapmaker Brett Madsen highlights a growing safety concern: "We've encountered instances where people have been stranded or misled, leading to deaths and prolonged isolation."
Madsen also criticises the over-reliance on electronic voice directions, suggesting it hinders critical thinking. He warns, "People tend to follow their phones, neglecting to assess the road conditions. This trust in devices is both significant and potentially dangerous."
Despite the rise of 4WD and smartphone sales, the question arises: is there still a place for traditional paper maps? The Map Patrol's journey through a steep gully demonstrates their method. Mapping software records GPS locations every 5 metres, creating a detailed track record. Rhys Holmes explains, "It's like dropping breadcrumbs, connecting them to form a single line. We get latitude, longitude, and elevation."
Beyond geometry, the team meticulously logs track conditions, hazards, camping facilities, and points of interest, which are integrated into Hema's online products and guidebooks. Brett Madsen emphasises the value of firsthand experience: "Driving a road is irreplaceable. We're often asked why we don't use aerial photography and satellite imagery. But you must get out there, get your car dirty, and see it for yourself."
The history of mapping in Australia is rich and diverse. Aboriginal people used songs, stories, and rock art to record the best routes for tens of thousands of years. In the 19th century, surveyors with horses and specialised equipment mapped the initial roads for transportation. Today, Hema's centralised system integrates real-time mapping data, revealing Australians' travel patterns and the areas they avoid.
The interior's vast, uncharted regions pose significant risks to inexperienced travellers without proper maps. Numerous adventurers have faced challenges due to generic navigation apps. Paul Warner from Four Wheel Drive Australia notes the issue: "People blindly follow voice directions, assuming they're viable, which isn't always the case, especially outside cities. Common sense is rare these days."
Jim Armstrong, overseeing WA Police's search and rescue operations, acknowledges the role of technology in safety but emphasises proper usage. He advises, "Watch your surroundings; Google Maps won't alert you to flooded roads or bushfires."
The Map Patrol's vehicles feature both generic and Hema navigation devices, showcasing the stark difference. Brett Madsen explains, "Generic digital maps are designed for urban areas, which make up only 5% of Australia. They're not suited for off-road driving. Our focus is on filling the gaps."
Hema's digital products now account for 50% of sales, but the transition hasn't been smooth. A joint venture with an app developer ended in 2024, leading to the abrupt shutdown of their online map service. A civil case is ongoing, and the company is rebuilding its online platforms.
Hema's origins in Queensland in 1983 were humble. Henry and Margaret Boegheim started laminating nautical charts at home, naming the company after their initials. In 2025, it was sold to businessman and outdoor enthusiast Sam Hayward, who shares a passion for maps as gateways to adventure. He says, "I'm like a kid in a candy shop with maps. It's about aspiration and exploration."
Despite the digital shift, Hema's paper map sales remain stable, around half a million annually. Mr. Hayward is committed to preserving the printed map's romance and practicality, as reflected in his words: "There's nothing like opening a map, gathering around it, and planning your journey. It's a unique experience, unmatched by an iPhone screen."
