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Hema vs Westprint Maps

by Christopher O'Keeffe June 21, 2026

Hema and Westprint are two of Australia’s most respected names in outback mapping—but they approach the country from different directions. Hema is strongest as a broad touring and regional mapping system, while Westprint excels at detailed, route-specific maps enriched with history, practical notes and remote-area context.

When planning a journey through remote Australia, choosing between Hema and Westprint can feel difficult.

Both publishers cover famous outback routes.

Both show roads, tracks, fuel, campsites and remote settlements.

Both are designed for travellers who intend to leave the main highways behind.

Both have earned loyal followings among:

four-wheel drivers
caravan travellers
campers
expedition groups
motorcyclists
remote-area workers
touring clubs
outback historians
travellers preparing for long-distance journeys

But Hema and Westprint are not identical.

Their greatest strengths lie in different areas.

A Hema map will often give you the broader regional picture: the surrounding road network, national parks, touring routes, services and connections to the rest of the journey.

A Westprint map will often concentrate more deeply on one particular track, corridor or outback region, adding historical notes, GPS references, points of interest and practical information specific to that journey.

For many serious trips, the best answer is not Hema or Westprint.

It is Hema and Westprint.

Use one for regional context.

Use the other for detailed route knowledge.

Mapworld carries a large range from both publishers:

This guide explains the differences and recommends the best maps for Australia’s major touring regions and outback tracks.

Hema vs Westprint at a Glance

Feature	Hema Maps	Westprint Maps
Principal strength	Broad regional and touring coverage	Specialist route and outback-region coverage
Best for	State touring, national parks, connected journeys and broad trip planning	Individual remote tracks, heritage routes and detailed route preparation
Product range	State maps, regional maps, atlases, wall maps, 4WD guides and desert series	Folded route maps, heritage maps, specialist atlases and route guides
Mapping style	Clear, modern touring cartography	Practical route mapping with strong historical and descriptive content
Road coverage	Sealed roads, unsealed roads, 4WD tracks and touring routes	Major tracks, minor access routes, side trips and route-specific features
Travel information	Fuel, camps, parks, rest areas, attractions and services	Fuel, water points, camps, historical sites, waypoints and track notes
Typical format	Many regional maps on waterproof and tear-resistant material	Folded paper, with laminated editions available for selected titles
Best approach	Start with Hema for the whole region	Add Westprint for the individual track
GPS support	GPS-surveyed or field-checked mapping on many products	Latitude/longitude grids, waypoints and GPS-referenced routes on many products
Historical content	Included where relevant, but navigation remains central	Often a defining feature of the map

The Main Difference

The simplest way to understand the two publishers is this:

Hema Maps Show the Region

Hema helps you understand how:

towns connect
highways meet outback tracks
national parks relate to one another
fuel stops are distributed
side trips fit into a longer journey
one touring region connects with the next

Westprint Maps Tell the Story of the Route

Westprint often focuses closely on:

one historic track
one remote road corridor
individual junctions
trackside landmarks
wells and water points
exploration history
railway and pastoral history
historical ruins
GPS waypoints
practical notes for that specific journey

This difference is not absolute.

Hema produces highly detailed route and desert maps.

Westprint also produces broad regional maps and atlases.

But it is a useful starting point when deciding which one to buy.

Why Hema Maps Are So Popular

Hema has developed one of Australia’s broadest touring-map systems.

The range extends from national and state maps to highly specialised maps of:

Hema maps are designed around practical travel.

Depending on the title, they may identify:

sealed and unsealed roads
four-wheel-drive tracks
road distances
fuel
roadhouses
camping areas
caravan facilities
national parks
reserves
walking tracks
lookouts
visitor information
cultural sites
permit areas
Indigenous lands
relief and terrain
town and national-park insets

Hema’s greatest advantage is consistency.

A traveller can begin with a national atlas, move to a state map and then add a regional sheet without having to learn a completely different cartographic system each time.

Hema’s Broad Product Ecosystem

Hema is more than a publisher of individual folded maps.

Australia Road and 4WD Atlas New Spiral Bound – Hema | Mapworld

Its range includes:

Australia road maps
state maps
regional touring maps
4WD maps
national and regional atlases
camping and caravan atlases
wall maps
specialist desert maps
travel guides
GPS and digital navigation products

This makes Hema particularly useful when planning a trip involving several types of road.

A journey might begin on a major highway, continue along a regional road and finish on a remote four-wheel-drive track.

Hema mapping helps place those different stages into one connected travel system.

Hema’s Waterproof Maps

Many of Hema’s current regional and four-wheel-drive maps are printed on waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic material.

Outback New South Wales Map atlas – Hema | Mapworld

This is a major advantage when the map will be used:

on the bonnet
beside the vehicle
at a campsite
in wet weather
in dust
with repeated folding
during a long expedition

Examples include:

The exact material and available finish should always be confirmed on the individual Mapworld product page.

Why Westprint Maps Are Different

Westprint has built its reputation around the difficult routes.

Its maps focus on the roads and tracks that define remote Australian travel:

Westprint maps are often described as heritage maps because they explain far more than the route itself.

Depending on the title, a Westprint map may include:

exploration history
pastoral history
railway history
Aboriginal history and cultural context
historic wells
ruins
former railway sidings
survey markers
notable travellers and road builders
points of interest
practical route notes
GPS coordinates
latitude and longitude grids
camping and fuel information

For travellers who want to understand the country they are crossing, this is a major strength.

Westprint’s Route-Specific Approach

A general regional map must divide its attention between many roads and destinations.

A route-specific Westprint map can concentrate on the journey itself.

That means more space may be devoted to:

minor junctions
access roads
side trips
historic sites
water points
campsites
points of interest
route distances
trackside stories
practical warnings

This is particularly valuable on a remote track where one missed junction or misunderstood access route can lead to a considerable detour.

History Is Part of the Westprint Map

Westprint recognises that many outback roads are more than transport corridors.

They are historic routes through Country.

The Oodnadatta Track follows a landscape shaped by Aboriginal trade, pastoral settlement, telegraph infrastructure and the Old Ghan Railway.

The Gunbarrel Highway and Anne Beadell Highway are inseparable from the work of Len Beadell and the survey teams that created remote roads across Central and Western Australia.

The Canning Stock Route carries the difficult history of stock movement, wells, exploration and encounters with Aboriginal people.

A Westprint map often helps the traveller see these stories in the landscape.

That turns a drive into something more meaningful.

Hema for the Big Picture

Hema is generally the stronger starting point when you need to understand an entire region.

Examples include:

Cape York

The Cape York Hema Map provides broad coverage of the Cape’s road and track network, communities, national parks and touring destinations.

It is a logical choice for a trip involving:

the Peninsula Developmental Road
Old Telegraph Track
Lakefield
Weipa
Cooktown
national parks
multiple side trips

The Kimberley

The Kimberley Hema Map provides regional context across this enormous part of northern Western Australia.

It helps connect:

Broome
Derby
Kununurra
Gibb River Road
Dampier Peninsula
Purnululu
Parry Creek
national parks and remote side routes

Central Australia

The Central Australia Hema Map is designed for broad regional navigation across the centre.

It shows sealed roads, unsealed roads, four-wheel-drive tracks, national parks, Indigenous lands and important travel services.

The Red Centre

The Red Centre Hema Map moves to a larger scale and provides more concentrated coverage around:

Red Centre Map – Maps () atlas – Hema | Mapworld

Alice Springs
Uluru
Kata Tjuta
Kings Canyon
Yulara
major touring routes and attractions

The Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges Hema Map gives strong regional touring coverage and includes detailed insets for important national-park areas.

Flinders Ranges Map atlas – Hema | Mapworld

Westprint for the Track

Westprint becomes particularly valuable when the route itself is the destination.

Canning Stock Route

The Canning Stock Route Westprint Map is dedicated to one of the world’s longest and most remote four-wheel-drive routes.

It includes:

the full track
minor access tracks
wells
water points
fuel
campsites
GPS references
heritage information

A broad regional map cannot give the Canning Stock Route this degree of concentrated attention.

Anne Beadell Highway

The Anne Beadell Highway Westprint Map follows the route between Coober Pedy and Laverton.

It includes:

Ilkurlka
Emu Junction
Volkes Hill Corner
Maralinga access
Great Victoria Desert routes
permit and contact information
historical notes
GPS references

Oodnadatta Track

The Oodnadatta Track Westprint Map combines road and track information with:

Old Ghan Railway heritage
mound springs
salt lakes
railway sidings
camps
facilities
topographic context

Plenty and Sandover Highways

The Plenty Highway Westprint Map gives focused coverage of the Plenty and Sandover routes.

It includes field-checked roads and tracks, latitude and longitude grids and information specific to the corridor.

Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks

The Birdsville and Strzelecki Westprint Map concentrates on the network connecting:

Birdsville
Marree
Innamincka
Tibooburra
the Strzelecki region
surrounding outback routes

Corner Country

The Corner Country Westprint Map provides specialist coverage of the region where New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia meet.

It is a strong choice for travellers exploring:

Tibooburra
Cameron Corner
Sturt National Park
remote pastoral roads
historic sites
Sturt’s Steps routes

Direct Comparisons by Region

Simpson Desert: Hema or Westprint?

This is one region where both publishers are highly relevant.

Choose Hema When:

You want the Simpson Desert as part of a broader desert-mapping system.

The Hema Great Desert Tracks Simpson Desert Map belongs to the wider Great Desert Tracks series and works well with the Eastern, Central and Western sheets.

Great Desert Tracks Simpson Desert atlas – Hema | Mapworld

Hema is especially useful when your journey also involves:

Birdsville
Oodnadatta Track
Plenty Highway
Central Australia
other desert crossings

Choose Westprint When:

You want a dedicated double-sided Simpson Desert planning map with strong route detail, GPS references and information about major crossings.

The Westprint Simpson Desert Map covers routes including:

French Line
Rig Road
WAA Line
QAA Line
Knolls Track
Hay River Track
Poeppel Corner
Dalhousie Springs
Birdsville
Mount Dare

Mapworld Recommendation

Carry both when the Simpson is the centrepiece of the expedition.

Use Hema for integration with the surrounding desert regions.

Use Westprint for concentrated Simpson Desert route detail and background information.

Canning Stock Route: Hema or Westprint?

Hema Option

The Great Desert Tracks Western Sheet provides broad western-desert coverage.

Great Desert Tracks Western Sheet Map atlas – Hema | Mapworld

It includes:

Canning Stock Route
Gunbarrel Highway
Connie Sue Highway
Great Central Road
Talawana Track
surrounding desert regions

This makes it excellent for understanding how the Canning connects with the rest of the expedition.

Westprint Option

The Canning Stock Route Westprint Map focuses specifically on the route.

It is the better choice for:

individual wells
route waypoints
access tracks
campsite planning
historical context
detailed track preparation

Mapworld Recommendation

Use the Westprint map as the dedicated route map.

Carry the Hema Western Sheet for broader regional context and connecting roads.

Oodnadatta Track: Hema or Westprint?

Hema Option

The Great Desert Tracks Eastern Sheet provides broad coverage across the eastern deserts.

Great Desert Tracks Eastern Sheet Map atlas – Hema | Mapworld

It includes:

Oodnadatta Track
Birdsville Track
Strzelecki Track
Corner Country
Plenty Highway
Sandover Highway
Lake Eyre Basin

Westprint Option

The Oodnadatta Track Westprint Map concentrates on the Oodnadatta corridor itself.

It is particularly strong for:

Old Ghan history
mound springs
railway ruins
campsites
trackside landmarks
detailed road information

Mapworld Recommendation

Choose Westprint when the Oodnadatta Track is the main journey.

Add the Hema Eastern Sheet when the trip continues into the wider Lake Eyre, Birdsville, Strzelecki or Central Australian region.

Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks: Hema or Westprint?

Hema Option

The Hema Great Desert Tracks Eastern Sheet gives the wider desert network in which these tracks sit.

It helps show connections to:

Simpson Desert
Oodnadatta Track
Corner Country
Plenty Highway
Port Augusta
Central Australia

Westprint Option

The Birdsville and Strzelecki Westprint Map provides concentrated track coverage and GPS-compatible route information.

Mapworld Recommendation

Westprint is the stronger dedicated route map.

Hema is the stronger regional companion.

Anne Beadell Highway: Hema or Westprint?

Hema Option

The Great Desert Tracks Western and Central sheets show the Anne Beadell Highway as part of the wider network of western and central desert roads.

This helps explain how the route connects to:

Coober Pedy
Laverton
Great Central Road
Connie Sue Highway
Gunbarrel Highway
Great Victoria Desert

Westprint Option

The Anne Beadell Highway Westprint Map is purpose-built for the route.

It offers:

complete corridor coverage
route-specific notes
permits and contact information
GPS references
Len Beadell history
side-trip detail

Mapworld Recommendation

Westprint is the better primary map for the Anne Beadell Highway.

Carry Hema Great Desert Tracks mapping for broader expedition planning.

Plenty Highway: Hema or Westprint?

Hema Option

The Hema Central Australia and Great Desert Tracks maps show the Plenty Highway within the wider context of Central Australia.

Westprint Option

The Plenty Highway Westprint Map concentrates on the Plenty and Sandover corridors and includes field-checked GPS-referenced road and track information.

Mapworld Recommendation

Use Westprint for the route.

Use Hema for the country around it and the connecting journey.

Kimberley: Hema or Westprint?

The Kimberley is one area where Hema is usually the more natural first choice.

The Kimberley Hema Map provides broad coverage of the region and detailed insets for areas such as:

Purnululu
Dampier Peninsula
Parry Creek

Hema’s regional style works well because most Kimberley journeys involve many roads, parks and side trips rather than one single linear track.

Map of The Kimberley region with detailed information and labels.

Westprint remains useful for routes connecting the Kimberley to the Top End and Gulf, particularly through the Top End and Gulf Atlas and Guide.

Cape York: Hema or Westprint?

For Cape York, Hema is generally the stronger choice.

The Cape York Hema Map is a waterproof regional map designed for the Cape’s combination of:

highways
development roads
four-wheel-drive tracks
communities
national parks
fuel
campsites
river crossings
side trips

Hema’s integrated regional mapping is particularly valuable in Cape York because travellers rarely follow only one road from beginning to end.

Central Australia and the Red Centre

Hema offers two useful levels of coverage.

Central Australia Hema Map

Choose the Central Australia Hema Map for broad regional planning.

Central Australia Laminated Wall Map – Northern Territory – Hema | Mapworld

It is suited to journeys involving:

several states or territories
major outback highways
national parks
long-distance connecting roads
Indigenous lands and permit areas

Red Centre Hema Map

Choose the Red Centre Hema Map when concentrating on:

Red Centre Laminated Wall Map – Hema | Mapworld

Alice Springs
Uluru
Kata Tjuta
Kings Canyon
Yulara
surrounding touring routes

Westprint route maps can then be added where the itinerary continues along:

Plenty Highway
Oodnadatta Track
Anne Beadell Highway
other specialist corridors

Top End and Gulf Country

Hema Strength

Hema provides conventional regional maps suitable for route planning, vehicle use and broad touring.

Westprint Strength

The Top End and Gulf Atlas and Guide adds a different level of depth.

Top End & Gulf Atlas & Guide – Westprint | Mapworld

It includes:

multiple detailed map spreads
major touring routes
points of interest
station profiles
historical information
Indigenous heritage
regional geography

Mapworld Recommendation

Use a Hema regional map for straightforward navigation and quick roadside reference.

Use the Westprint atlas when you want a richer understanding of the Top End and Gulf journey.

Victorian High Country

Hema is generally stronger in the Victorian High Country because it offers both broad guides and detailed regional sheets.

Examples include:

Victorian High Country north-west sheets
Victorian High Country south-west sheets
Victorian High Country south-east sheets
High Country atlases and guides
large planning maps

The Victorian High Country SW 1:100,000 Hema Map is an example of Hema working at a more detailed regional scale.

Westprint’s strength is more concentrated in desert routes and heritage corridors than in high-country alpine mapping.

Hema Great Desert Tracks Series

The Great Desert Tracks collection is one of Hema’s strongest answers to Westprint’s route-specific range.

Great Desert Tracks Map Pack atlas – Hema | Mapworld

The series includes:

Together, these maps create an interconnected system across much of the Australian desert interior.

Western Sheet

Covers routes including:

Canning Stock Route
Gunbarrel Highway
Great Central Road
Connie Sue Highway
Talawana Track

Central Sheet

Covers routes and regions including:

Central Australia
Tanami Track
Great Victoria Desert
Googs Track
parts of the Oodnadatta and Plenty corridors

Eastern Sheet

Covers:

Birdsville Track
Strzelecki Track
Oodnadatta Track
Corner Country
Lake Eyre Basin
Plenty Highway
eastern desert routes

Simpson Desert Sheet

Provides focused coverage of the Simpson crossing network.

This series is ideal for travellers undertaking an expedition across several famous tracks rather than concentrating on one road.

Westprint Heritage Routes

Westprint’s strongest individual products are its dedicated heritage-route maps.

Important examples available through Mapworld include:

These are excellent choices when the historic route is the central purpose of the trip.

Map Formats Compared

Hema Formats

Many Hema regional maps are available on waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper.

Selected Hema products may also be offered by Mapworld as:

folded waterproof maps
laminated maps
wall maps
atlases
spiral-bound guides

The waterproof folded map is highly practical for active field use.

Westprint Formats

Westprint products are commonly supplied as folded paper maps.

Selected titles are also available laminated through Mapworld.

Westprint’s paper maps are easy to:

fold
store
annotate
carry in a glovebox
include in a route folder

A laminated edition is useful for:

repeated handling
vehicle or caravan display
wipe-clean planning
use with map dots
planning on a bonnet or campsite table

Available finishes vary by title, so check the product page before ordering.

Which Map Is More Durable?

Hema often has the advantage when the standard map is printed directly onto waterproof synthetic material.

This is useful in:

wet conditions
dusty camps
frequent roadside use
repeated folding

A laminated Westprint map can be extremely durable, but it will be:

less flexible
heavier
harder to fold
better suited to a table, wall or vehicle

Choose according to how the map will actually be used.

Which Is Better for GPS Navigation?

Both publishers produce maps designed to work alongside GPS.

Hema maps commonly include:

GPS-surveyed roads and tracks
coordinate grids
field-checked route information
integration with the broader Hema navigation system

Westprint maps commonly include:

latitude and longitude grids
GPS waypoints
named junctions
trackside coordinates
field-checked routes

Neither printed map provides a live position by itself.

The safest method is to use:

printed map
GPS or navigation device
compass where appropriate
current road and access information
reliable communication equipment
adequate emergency planning

Which Is Better for Historical Information?

Westprint is generally the stronger choice when historical context is a major priority.

Its maps often include information about:

explorers
surveyors
road builders
droving
railways
pastoral stations
early communications
heritage sites
Aboriginal history
outback settlements

Hema includes cultural and historical information where relevant, but usually places greater emphasis on navigation, touring infrastructure and regional road coverage.

Which Is Better for Campsites and Services?

Both are strong.

Hema tends to integrate:

campsites
caravan parks
fuel
rest areas
parks
attractions
services

across a broader region.

Westprint tends to focus on the specific services relevant to one track or corridor, including:

fuel range
water points
remote camps
road junctions
station access
trackside facilities

For a multi-region holiday, Hema often gives a more continuous picture.

For one difficult outback track, Westprint may give more concentrated detail.

Which Is Easier to Read?

This depends on the traveller.

Hema May Be Easier If:

you already use other Hema products
you want clear regional road hierarchy
you prefer modern touring cartography
you need a broad overview
the map will be consulted quickly while travelling

Westprint May Be Easier If:

the route is linear
you want route-specific notes
historical information matters
you need dedicated GPS waypoints
the journey contains many small trackside features

Both should be studied before departure—not first opened when the road becomes confusing.

Which Should a First-Time Outback Traveller Choose?

A first-time remote traveller should usually begin with Hema.

Hema’s broad regional presentation makes it easier to understand:

where the route begins
how it connects to major highways
the nearest towns
alternative roads
fuel and facilities
surrounding national parks
the wider shape of the journey

Add Westprint when the itinerary includes a named remote track such as:

Canning Stock Route
Anne Beadell Highway
Oodnadatta Track
Birdsville Track
Gunbarrel Highway
Plenty Highway

This combination reduces the chance of becoming focused too narrowly on the main track.

Which Should an Experienced Four-Wheel Driver Choose?

Experienced travellers often carry both.

They understand that:

no map can show everything
regional context and route detail are different needs
roads and access can change
GPS screens do not replace the large overview of a paper map
historical information can help identify features on the ground
multiple sources provide useful cross-checking

A specialist Westprint map beside a broader Hema map is one of the strongest printed-map combinations for remote touring.

Do You Still Need a Topographic Map?

Possibly.

Hema and Westprint are touring maps.

They are designed primarily to help travellers understand roads, tracks, services, camps and attractions.

A government topographic map places greater emphasis on:

contours
elevation
detailed hydrography
terrain
minor tracks
geographic features
grid navigation

For demanding fieldwork, off-track travel, search operations or detailed terrain interpretation, add the appropriate map from Mapworld’s Australian Topographic Maps collection.

A strong remote-area map kit may contain:

Hema regional map
Westprint route map
official topographic sheets
digital navigation
compass
emergency communications

Printed Maps and Digital Navigation

Modern travellers frequently use:

Hema Navigator
phone mapping
tablet navigation
GPS
in-vehicle charting systems
satellite communicators

These devices are valuable.

They can also fail through:

flat batteries
damaged screens
overheating
software problems
missing downloaded data
charging failures
incorrect settings

A printed map provides:

regional context
an independent backup
a planning surface
a way to brief passengers
the ability to compare alternative routes
a resource that does not need power or reception

Paper and electronic navigation should support one another.

Neither Map Replaces Current Advice

A printed map shows the best information available when the edition was prepared.

It cannot confirm today’s:

road condition
flood damage
fire closure
permit status
fuel availability
track maintenance
gate access
weather
river crossing depth
seasonal closure

Before travelling, check with:

parks and wildlife authorities
police
local councils
roadhouses
land councils
station owners
community offices
official road-condition services

A mapped road is not a guarantee of access or passability.

Hema vs Westprint: Best Choice by Traveller

Traveller	Recommended choice
General road traveller	Hema
Caravan traveller	Hema
State-wide tour	Hema
National parks and regional attractions	Hema
Cross-country desert expedition	Hema Great Desert Tracks series
Single historic outback track	Westprint
Traveller interested in heritage	Westprint
Canning Stock Route expedition	Westprint plus Hema Western Sheet
Simpson Desert crossing	Hema and Westprint
Oodnadatta Track journey	Westprint plus Hema Eastern Sheet
Cape York trip	Hema
Kimberley regional tour	Hema
Anne Beadell Highway	Westprint plus Hema regional context
Top End and Gulf extended tour	Hema map plus Westprint atlas
Victorian High Country	Hema
Professional or detailed terrain work	Add official topographic maps

A Simple Buying Formula

Use this formula when choosing maps for an outback trip:

1. Choose a National or State Map

This shows how the trip connects to the wider road network.

A Hema state map or national atlas is usually the most practical option.

2. Choose a Regional Map

Add a Hema regional map for:

Cape York
Kimberley
Central Australia
Red Centre
Flinders Ranges
Great Desert Tracks
Top End
High Country

3. Add a Dedicated Route Map

Choose Westprint when the journey follows:

Canning Stock Route
Anne Beadell Highway
Oodnadatta Track
Birdsville Track
Strzelecki Track
Gunbarrel Highway
Plenty Highway
Corner Country

4. Add Topographic Maps Where Necessary

Use them for detailed terrain, fieldwork or off-track travel.

5. Check Current Conditions

No printed map replaces current official information.

Why Buy Hema and Westprint Maps from Mapworld?

Mapworld carries a deep range of Australian road, touring, four-wheel-drive and topographic maps.

The Hema range includes:

national maps
state maps
regional touring maps
four-wheel-drive maps
Great Desert Tracks maps
atlases
caravan guides
wall maps
waterproof maps

The Westprint range includes:

heritage-route maps
specialist outback maps
track maps
regional touring maps
atlases
guidebooks
paper and selected laminated formats

Mapworld can also help customers combine:

Hema maps
Westprint maps
topographic sheets
road atlases
compasses
GPS products
laminated planning maps

Browse:

Final Thoughts

Hema and Westprint are not competing versions of the same map.

They are different tools.

Hema is usually the better choice when you need:

the wider region
connected touring routes
state or national coverage
parks, attractions and travel services
a waterproof field map
a consistent mapping system across the journey

Westprint is usually the better choice when you need:

one particular remote route
detailed track information
GPS waypoints
heritage and historical notes
trackside points of interest
a deeper understanding of the country being crossed

For a broad touring holiday, choose Hema.

For a dedicated outback track, choose Westprint.

For a serious remote expedition, carry both.

Use the Hema map to understand where the journey sits within Australia.

Use the Westprint map to understand the road beneath your wheels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hema better than Westprint?

Neither is universally better. Hema is generally stronger for broad regional and state touring, while Westprint is particularly strong for individual outback tracks and heritage routes.

What is the main difference between Hema and Westprint?

Hema usually shows a wider touring region. Westprint often concentrates more deeply on one track or remote corridor.

Which is best for the Canning Stock Route?

The Westprint Canning Stock Route map is the stronger dedicated route reference. Pair it with the Hema Great Desert Tracks Western Sheet for regional context.

Which is best for the Simpson Desert?

Both are valuable. Hema integrates the Simpson with the broader Great Desert Tracks network, while Westprint provides dedicated double-sided Simpson Desert route mapping and background information.

Which is best for the Oodnadatta Track?

Westprint is the strongest dedicated Oodnadatta Track map. The Hema Great Desert Tracks Eastern Sheet adds wider Lake Eyre and desert-region context.

Which is best for Cape York?

Hema is generally the best choice because its Cape York map is designed as a complete regional touring reference.

Which is best for the Kimberley?

The Hema Kimberley map is the natural starting point for broad regional travel, the Gibb River Road and national-park touring.

Which publisher has more historical information?

Westprint generally provides more extensive route history, exploration stories and heritage information.

Are Hema maps waterproof?

Many current Hema regional and four-wheel-drive maps are printed on waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic material. Check the individual product description.

Are Westprint maps waterproof?

Westprint maps are commonly printed on paper. Mapworld offers laminated versions of selected titles for greater durability and moisture resistance.

Do both publishers include GPS information?

Many maps from both ranges include coordinate grids, GPS waypoints or field-checked road and track data.

Do I need a topographic map as well?

A topographic map may be necessary for detailed terrain, fieldwork or off-track navigation. Hema and Westprint are primarily touring and route maps.

Can a printed map replace a GPS?

No single navigation tool should be relied upon exclusively. Printed maps and GPS systems work best as complementary resources.

Are mapped tracks always open?

No. Tracks may be closed, flooded, damaged, private, restricted or seasonally inaccessible. Check current official information before travel.

Christopher O'Keeffe

Author

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How to Find the Right Topographic Map Sheet for Any Location in Australia

by Christopher O'Keeffe June 21, 2026

Australia is covered by thousands of individual topographic map sheets. Finding the correct one becomes much easier once you know the location, the scale you need and how to use a topographic map index.

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