NEW Geoscience Maps for Australia

by Christopher O'Keeffe June 18, 2026

The new AUSTopo 1:250,000 map series brings authoritative, updated topographic coverage of the entire Australian continent into a modern national collection — now available from Mapworld in paper, laminated and waterproof formats.

Australia has a new national topographic map series.

Geoscience Australia has completed the nationwide release of the AUSTopo 1:250,000 Australian Digital Topographic Map Series, replacing decades-old mapping with a modern collection created for contemporary Australia.

This is an important development for anyone who relies on maps beyond the city limits.

The new series covers the entire continent across 516 individual map sheets, from the tropical north to Tasmania, from the east coast to Western Australia, and from the major cities to some of the most remote country on Earth.

At a scale of 1:250,000, one centimetre on the map represents 2.5 kilometres on the ground.

That makes AUSTopo particularly useful for:

• regional travel planning

• remote-area preparation

• environmental work

• land management

• government and infrastructure projects

• education and research

• emergency-management planning

• transport and logistics

• mining and resource operations

• pastoral and agricultural work

• field operations

• broad topographic reference

Mapworld can supply the new AUSTopo maps in three practical formats:

• paper

• laminated

• waterproof and tear-resistant Tyvek

This gives customers the freedom to choose a map suited to the office, planning room, vehicle or field.

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A New National Map Series

For many years, Australia’s familiar 1:250,000 topographic mapping was based on editions published between the mid-1990s and 2012.

Those maps served Australia well.

They became standard references for travellers, government departments, field workers, teachers, researchers, pastoralists, engineers, emergency services and outdoor users.

But Australia has changed.

Roads have changed.

Towns have expanded.

Infrastructure has developed.

Place names and administrative information have been revised.

Mapping standards and geodetic datums have also moved forward.

The new AUSTopo series brings national 1:250,000 mapping into the present.

Geoscience Australia began publishing the redesigned series in 2023 and has now completed the nationwide release.

More than 500 map sheets have been updated as part of the program, with ongoing improvements intended to keep the mapping current.

For the first time in many years, users can access a consistent, modern 1:250,000 topographic map series covering the whole of Australia.

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How Current Are the New AUSTopo Maps?

One of the most important advantages of the AUSTopo series is its currency.

The previous national 1:250,000 printed map series contained editions dating from 1995 to 2012.

The new AUSTopo maps have been published from 2023 onward, with much of the collection carrying 2024 and 2025 edition information.

This represents a significant generational update.

The mapping has been rebuilt from contemporary national topographic data and presented through a modern, consistent cartographic design.

Depending on the location, updated information may include:

• roads and tracks

• towns and localities

• built-up areas

• transport infrastructure

• watercourses and water bodies

• administrative boundaries

• vegetation

• terrain

• place names

• cultural and built features

• regional infrastructure

No printed map should be treated as a live, real-time database.

Road conditions, access restrictions, land tenure, permits and temporary closures can change after publication.

However, the new AUSTopo series provides a substantially more current national mapping foundation than the older 1995–2012 editions it succeeds.

For broad regional planning and topographic reference, that is an important improvement.

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Authoritative Mapping from Geoscience Australia

AUSTopo is produced by Geoscience Australia, the Australian Government’s national geoscience and mapping agency.

That authority matters.

The series provides a nationally consistent portrayal of Australia’s principal topographic features at 1:250,000 scale.

Rather than combining unrelated regional map styles, AUSTopo creates a coherent national system.

The same basic mapping language continues across state and territory borders.

That consistency is useful for organisations working over large areas, including:

• Federal and state government departments

• environmental agencies

• defence and emergency planning

• transport operators

• engineering and infrastructure groups

• universities

• schools

• mining and exploration companies

• agricultural organisations

• national and regional businesses

A project may begin in one state and continue into another.

A transport corridor may cross several map sheets.

A research program may extend across a large region.

A consistent national series makes these transitions much easier to understand.

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What Does 1:250,000 Scale Mean?

Map scale describes the relationship between a distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground.

On an AUSTopo 1:250,000 map:

1 centimetre on the map represents 2.5 kilometres on the ground.

This scale provides a broad regional overview.

It shows a much larger area than a 1:25,000, 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 topographic map, but naturally contains less fine detail.

A standard AUSTopo sheet generally covers approximately:

• 150 kilometres from east to west

• 110 kilometres from north to south

This makes the series highly useful for understanding:

• regional road networks

• relationships between towns

• broad terrain

• major rivers and watercourses

• mountain ranges

• remote access routes

• regional infrastructure

• national parks and reserves

• large pastoral or project areas

• travel between communities

AUSTopo is ideal when you need to see the wider landscape rather than individual walking tracks, property boundaries or street-level detail.

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What Information Appears on an AUSTopo Map?

Topographic maps are designed to show both natural and constructed features.

An AUSTopo sheet may include:

• contour lines

• spot elevations

• roads

• tracks

• railways

• towns and localities

• buildings and built-up areas

• rivers

• creeks

• lakes

• dams

• vegetation

• mountain ranges

• ridges

• valleys

• administrative boundaries

• geographic place names

• major infrastructure

• latitude and longitude

• map grid information

The exact amount of information varies according to the landscape.

A map covering a major regional centre will look different from a map of desert, pastoral or tropical country.

But the purpose remains the same: to provide a clear regional picture of the terrain and the principal features within it.

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A Complete National Library of 516 Maps

The AUSTopo collection divides Australia into 516 individual 1:250,000 map sheets.

Each sheet is identified by a map name and sheet code.

Examples include:

• Adelaide I5409

• Alice Springs F5314

• Armidale H5610

• Atherton E5505

• Alligator River D5301

• Andamooka H5312

• Ballarat SJ54-08

• Weipa Special SD54-03

The collection extends across:

• New South Wales

• Victoria

• Queensland

• South Australia

• Western Australia

• Tasmania

• the Northern Territory

• the Australian Capital Territory

• offshore and island areas where included in the national index

The sheet system makes it possible to select the exact region required rather than purchasing a general map covering an entire state.

For larger projects or journeys, adjoining sheets can be ordered together to create broader continuous coverage.

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GDA2020: Mapping Australia on the Modern Datum

The new AUSTopo series uses the Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020, commonly known as GDA2020.

A datum is the reference framework used to define positions on the Earth.

Older Australian maps may use AGD66 or GDA94.

AUSTopo’s use of GDA2020 places the series within Australia’s current national geodetic framework.

The maps also use:

• geographical coordinates

• Map Grid of Australia coordinates

• Australian Height Datum elevation information

• Universal Transverse Mercator projection

For professional users, this modern reference system is a significant feature.

It supports clearer alignment between the printed map, contemporary spatial data and modern positioning systems.

As with any map-and-GPS workflow, users should confirm that their device, coordinates and mapping references are using compatible settings.

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Why Printed AUSTopo Maps Still Matter

The AUSTopo collection is available digitally, but printed maps remain extremely useful.

A phone or tablet can show a downloaded map.

A printed map shows the whole sheet at once.

It can be spread across a desk, attached to a wall, marked during a meeting or carried as an independent physical reference.

Printed maps are valuable because they:

• do not need batteries

• do not require mobile coverage

• show a large area at once

• can be shared by several people

• are easy to annotate

• work well during briefings

• provide an independent backup

• are easier to compare side by side

• remain visible in planning rooms

• can be selected in a finish suited to the task

Digital and printed maps should not be seen as competitors.

They work best together.

Digital files provide portability and searchability.

Printed maps provide visibility, context and physical reliability.

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AUSTopo Maps on Paper

The paper format is the most economical and traditional option.

Mapworld prints AUSTopo maps using high-quality, pigment-based inks designed to retain clarity and resist fading.

Paper maps are well suited to:

• office reference

• classroom use

• research

• project files

• travel preparation

• map libraries

• framing

• occasional field use

• customers who prefer a traditional folded map

Paper and waterproof AUSTopo maps are generally supplied folded unless otherwise requested.

This makes them compact enough to store in:

• a vehicle

• backpack

• document case

• office drawer

• field kit

• map cabinet

Why Choose Paper?

Choose paper when:

• cost is important

• the map will be used primarily indoors

• you need a lightweight reference

• the map will be framed

• you require several adjoining sheets

• the map will not be exposed to heavy moisture or rough handling

Paper remains an excellent choice for planning, study and general reference.

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Laminated AUSTopo Maps

Lamination turns an AUSTopo sheet into a durable planning surface.

A laminated map is protected against:

• dirt

• stains

• moisture

• frequent handling

• tearing

• general office wear

It can also be marked with a suitable whiteboard marker and wiped clean.

That makes laminated AUSTopo maps ideal for:

• operations centres

• project rooms

• classrooms

• government offices

• environmental planning

• emergency-management exercises

• mining and exploration offices

• infrastructure projects

• logistics planning

• pastoral management

• regional sales and service planning

Map dots can also be used to identify:

• project locations

• field sites

• towns

• depots

• survey points

• customer locations

• planned stops

• areas of interest

Laminated maps are shipped rolled in durable tubes to avoid permanent fold lines.

Why Choose Laminated?

Choose laminated when:

• the map will be displayed

• it will be handled regularly

• several people will use it

• you want to write on and wipe off the surface

• map dots will be applied

• the map will form part of an operations or planning wall

• durability matters more than compact folding

For office and institutional use, lamination is often the best option.

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Waterproof AUSTopo Maps

For field use, Mapworld can supply AUSTopo maps printed on waterproof and tear-resistant DuPont Tyvek.

Tyvek is made from high-density polyethylene fibres.

It has many of the practical characteristics of paper — it can be folded and carried — but it is far more resistant to water and tearing.

A waterproof AUSTopo map is ideal for:

• four-wheel driving

• remote-area travel

• environmental fieldwork

• geological work

• pastoral operations

• outdoor education

• survey support

• field camps

• vehicle emergency kits

• wet or dusty conditions

• repeated folding and unfolding

Unlike a laminated map, a Tyvek map remains flexible.

It can be folded down and stored without the weight or rigidity of encapsulated laminate.

Why Choose Waterproof?

Choose waterproof Tyvek when:

• the map will be carried in the field

• exposure to rain, mud or dust is likely

• repeated folding is required

• the map needs to be lightweight

• tear resistance is important

• you need a practical vehicle or backpack map

For serious fieldwork, waterproof Tyvek is usually the strongest choice.

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Paper vs Laminated vs Waterproof

Each format has a different strength.

Format	Best For	Main Advantage
Paper	Planning, study, filing and framing	Economical and lightweight
Laminated	Offices, classrooms and operations rooms	Durable, writable and wipe-clean
Waterproof Tyvek	Fieldwork, travel and rugged use	Foldable, waterproof and tear-resistant

Choose Paper If:

You need an affordable printed copy for office, classroom or planning use.

Choose Laminated If:

You want a durable map for display, repeated handling or write-on/wipe-off planning.

Choose Waterproof If:

You need a flexible map that can survive field conditions, moisture and repeated folding.

There is no single best format for every customer.

The right choice depends on where the map will be used.

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Who Uses AUSTopo 1:250,000 Maps?

The new national series has a wide range of professional, educational and recreational applications.

Government and Regional Planning

AUSTopo provides consistent regional context for policy, planning, infrastructure and government operations.

Emergency Management

The maps can support exercises, briefings, regional orientation and broad incident planning.

They should be used alongside current operational information and specialist emergency systems.

Environmental and Land Management

The maps provide regional terrain, watercourse, vegetation, transport and locality context for environmental work.

Mining and Resources

AUSTopo sheets are useful for regional project orientation, field preparation, access planning and displaying the relationship between sites, roads and communities.

Agriculture and Pastoral Work

The maps provide broad geographic context across large rural and remote areas.

Transport and Logistics

At 1:250,000 scale, the maps help users understand major regional routes, towns and transport relationships over large distances.

Schools and Universities

AUSTopo can support geography, environmental science, earth science, research and fieldwork.

Travellers and Outdoor Users

The maps are useful for broad route planning, remote-area preparation and offline regional reference.

For detailed bushwalking, property-level or technical navigation, a larger-scale map may also be required.

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AUSTopo for Remote Australia

The value of AUSTopo becomes especially clear away from major cities.

Much of Australia has limited mobile coverage.

Roads may be separated by long distances.

Settlements are sparse.

Access conditions can change.

In these regions, a physical map helps users understand the wider landscape.

An AUSTopo sheet can show how:

• roads connect between communities

• tracks relate to larger transport routes

• rivers and ranges shape access

• towns sit within a broader region

• national parks and reserves relate to surrounding country

• adjoining map sheets continue beyond the current area

A waterproof map carried in the vehicle can form part of a sensible remote-area preparation system.

It should always be supported by current road-condition information, access permissions, weather advice, adequate communications and appropriate navigation equipment.

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AUSTopo for Schools and Universities

The new maps are also valuable educational resources.

They can help students understand:

• topographic map symbols

• contour lines

• map grids

• latitude and longitude

• regional scale

• landforms

• settlement patterns

• transport networks

• watercourses

• the relationship between natural and built environments

• GDA2020 and modern Australian mapping

A laminated sheet can become a reusable teaching surface.

Students can identify routes, mark features and practise reading coordinates without permanently damaging the map.

For universities and field courses, waterproof copies provide practical support away from the classroom.

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AUSTopo for Operations and Planning Rooms

A laminated AUSTopo map can be particularly effective in an operations or project environment.

Unlike a general wall map, it focuses on a specific region while retaining broad context.

Teams can use adjoining sheets to create a larger planning wall covering:

• infrastructure corridors

• project areas

• emergency planning regions

• environmental programs

• mining districts

• transport routes

• council or government work areas

• field survey zones

Because the maps form part of one nationally consistent series, adjoining sheets can be used together with a common visual language.

That makes AUSTopo valuable not only as an individual map, but as a modular regional mapping system.

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The Difference Between AUSTopo and Older NATMAP Sheets

The previous national 1:250,000 mapping is generally known through the NATMAP topographic series.

Those maps were published in editions dating from 1995 to 2012 and used the GDA94 datum.

The new AUSTopo series represents the modern replacement.

Key differences include:

Older NATMAP Series	New AUSTopo Series
Editions published mainly from 1995–2012	Published from 2023 onward
GDA94 datum	GDA2020 datum
Older national mapping content	Updated national topographic data
Legacy cartographic layout	Redesigned modern presentation
Historical printed editions	Current national digital and print-ready series
516-sheet national coverage	516-sheet national coverage

The older maps remain valuable for historical comparison and research.

In some situations, an older edition may help show how roads, settlements or mapped features have changed.

But for current general use, the new AUSTopo edition should normally be the preferred starting point.

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How to Find the Correct AUSTopo Sheet

Australia is divided into named 1:250,000 map sheets.

To select the correct sheet, you need to identify the tile covering your area of interest.

The Mapworld AUSTopo collection can be searched using:

• map title

• sheet name

• sheet code

• nearby town

• region

• state or territory

For work close to a sheet boundary, you may need two or more adjoining maps.

This is common when:

• a route crosses a sheet edge

• a project covers a large area

• a national park extends between sheets

• a journey follows a long regional corridor

• a work area sits near a map boundary

Ordering adjoining sheets gives a better picture of the surrounding region.

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Printed in Australia by Mapworld

Mapworld prints AUSTopo maps in Australia using modern large-format printing equipment and pigment-based inks.

This allows the digital national series to become a practical physical product.

Customers do not need to manage large-format files, locate a specialist printer or work out which material is suitable.

Mapworld can supply the chosen sheet in the required finish:

• economical paper

• durable laminated

• flexible waterproof Tyvek

Maps can be ordered individually or as a group of adjoining sheets.

That makes it easier to build a regional collection suited to the customer’s exact needs.

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Important Map-Use Guidance

AUSTopo is a broad regional topographic series.

At 1:250,000 scale, it provides excellent context over a large area, but it is not intended to show every small feature.

For high-detail applications, you may also require:

• a 1:100,000 map

• a 1:50,000 map

• a 1:25,000 map

• current cadastral information

• specialist park or recreation mapping

• current road-condition reports

• official access and permit information

• GPS or GNSS equipment

• emergency communications

Printed maps should be one part of a sensible navigation and planning system.

For remote travel, never rely on a single map or device.

Check current information before departure and carry appropriate backup equipment.

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Why the New AUSTopo Series Matters

The completion of AUSTopo is more than a routine map update.

It restores a current, nationally consistent 1:250,000 topographic library for the entire continent.

It brings together:

• contemporary national data

• complete Australian coverage

• a modern geodetic datum

• consistent cartographic presentation

• digital accessibility

• practical large-format printing

• paper, laminated and waterproof options

For a country as large as Australia, that matters.

Australia needs maps that can show the relationship between its towns, roads, rivers, ranges, coastlines, deserts and infrastructure.

AUSTopo provides that broad geographic foundation.

Mapworld makes it physical.

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Why Buy AUSTopo Maps from Mapworld?

Mapworld has supplied Australian topographic maps to travellers, government, industry, schools, emergency services and field workers for more than 30 years.

The Mapworld AUSTopo collection offers:

• the new Geoscience Australia 1:250,000 series

• complete national coverage

• hundreds of individual sheets

• the most current available editions

• paper maps

• laminated maps

• waterproof Tyvek maps

• high-quality pigment-based printing

• folded field formats

• rolled laminated maps

• Australia-wide delivery

• help locating the correct sheet

Whether you need one map for an upcoming journey or multiple sheets for a project area, Mapworld can supply the format suited to the job.

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Final Thoughts

Australia has entered a new era of national topographic mapping.

The AUSTopo 1:250,000 series replaces ageing national map editions with a modern collection published from 2023 onward and updated across more than 500 sheets.

It covers the entire country.

It uses GDA2020.

It provides a consistent national design.

It shows the roads, towns, terrain, watercourses, vegetation, infrastructure and geographic features that help Australians understand the land around them.

Choose paper for economical planning, research and general reference.

Choose laminated for offices, classrooms, operations rooms and reusable write-on/wipe-off planning.

Choose waterproof Tyvek for vehicles, fieldwork, remote travel and demanding outdoor conditions.

Digital maps are convenient.

Printed maps provide context.

And when you are working, studying or travelling across a country as large as Australia, having the right map in your hands still matters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is AUSTopo?

AUSTopo is Geoscience Australia’s new Australian Digital Topographic Map Series at 1:250,000 scale. It provides complete national coverage through 516 individual map sheets.

Is AUSTopo available for the whole of Australia?

Yes. Geoscience Australia completed the nationwide release of the AUSTopo 1:250,000 series in March 2026.

How current are AUSTopo maps?

The new series has been published from 2023 onward. More than 500 sheets have been updated since the program began, with ongoing improvements intended to keep the data current.

What does 1:250,000 scale mean?

At 1:250,000 scale, one centimetre on the map represents 2.5 kilometres on the ground.

How much area does one AUSTopo sheet cover?

A standard sheet generally covers approximately 150 kilometres from east to west and 110 kilometres from north to south.

What size are Mapworld’s AUSTopo maps?

A standard printed AUSTopo map is approximately 800 × 500 mm, although special sheets may vary.

What features appear on an AUSTopo map?

AUSTopo maps may show contours, elevations, roads, tracks, towns, buildings, rivers, lakes, vegetation, administrative boundaries, place names and regional infrastructure.

What datum does AUSTopo use?

The new series uses GDA2020, together with Australian Height Datum elevation information and Map Grid of Australia coordinates.

Can Mapworld supply waterproof AUSTopo maps?

Yes. Mapworld can print AUSTopo maps on waterproof and tear-resistant DuPont Tyvek for field and vehicle use.

Are waterproof maps supplied folded?

Yes. Paper and waterproof versions are normally supplied folded unless otherwise requested.

Can AUSTopo maps be laminated?

Yes. Laminated AUSTopo maps are durable, wipe-clean and suitable for use with appropriate whiteboard markers and map dots.

Are laminated maps supplied folded?

No. Laminated maps are shipped rolled in protective tubes to avoid fold lines.

Are AUSTopo maps suitable for bushwalking?

They are useful for broad regional planning, but 1:250,000 scale may not provide enough detail for demanding bushwalking or off-track navigation. A larger-scale topographic map may also be required.

Can I order adjoining AUSTopo sheets?

Yes. Adjoining maps can be ordered together to create broader regional coverage for projects, journeys and planning walls.

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