Topographic maps

We are introducing new 1:250,000 topographic maps, these are called AUSTopo - Australian Digital Topographic Map Series. They are being released systematically and will appear for download on the 1:250,000 ‘dashboard’, see link below.

Our digital maps are available for free download to any device. Once downloaded, maps can be printed by anyone and are suitable for large-format printing – see ‘How to print our maps’ below for instructions.

Below are links to digital versions, via dashboard, of our indexes for 1:50 000, 1:100 000, 1:250 000 and 1:1 million scale Australian topographic maps. These are best viewed in Google Chrome. To use these indexes, click on the link to the relevant map index, zoom or search for an area of interest, then click the desired box outlining map extents and follow the prompt to download the map.

Please note that Geoscience Australia does not have 1:25 000 scale topographic maps in its collection. For availability of these maps please check with your local state/territory mapping agency:

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• New South Wales (NSW)
• Northern Territory (NT)
• Queensland (QLD)
• South Australia (SA)
• Tasmania (Tas)
• Victoria (Vic)
• Western Australia (WA)

1:50 000 Scale Maps – visualisation ‘Dashboard’

• Coverage: Partial coverage, predominantly in northern Australia, along major transport routes, and other selected areas. About 2761 maps have been published to date.
• Currency: 1968 to 2006
• Coordinates: Geographical and UTM
• Datum: AGD66, new edition WGS84; AHD
• Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

1:100 000 Scale Maps – visualisation ‘Dashboard’

• Coverage: Australia is covered by more than 3000 x 1:100 000 scale maps, of which 1600 have been published as printed maps. Unpublished maps are available as compilations (compilations are accurate plots from photogrammetric models using aerial photographs with established control point framework).
• Currency: 1961 to 2008
• Coordinates: Geographical and either AMG or MGA coordinates
• Datum: AGD66, GDA94; AHD
• Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

1:250 000 Scale Maps – visualisation ‘Dashboard’

This dashboard shows both the 1995 – 2012 maps and the updated versions. The release of the updated 1: 250,000 maps is occurring systematically.

1:250,000 AUSTopo - Australian Digital Topographic Map Series

• Coverage: Covers the whole of Australia with 516 maps.
• Map Currency: from 2023
• Coordinates: Geographical and MGA
• Datum: GDA2020, AHD
• Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
• Data Currency: see table below.

1:250,000 NATMAP Topographic Map Series

• Coverage: Covers the whole of Australia with 516 maps.
• Currency: 1995 to 2012
• Coordinates: Geographical and MGA
• Datum: GDA94, AHD
• Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

1:1 Million Scale Maps

• Coverage: Whole of Australia covered with 49 maps (please refer to Status). National coverage first completed in 1975.
• Currency: IMW 1971 to 1983. General Reference Topographic 2008-2011
• Coordinates: Geographical
• Datum: AGD66 (GDA94 compliant at this scale); AHD
• Projection: Lambert Conformal Conic
• Status: The IMW (International Map of the World) are no longer maintained, and printed maps are no longer available. A new series based on the World Aeronautical Charts (WAC) series of maps was completed in early 2011 and is known as the 1:1 million General Reference Topographic Map Series.

How to print our maps

Please search for your local map retailer or a large-format printing business. If you cannot access a printing service locally, some printers provide facilities for customers to electronically upload or send files to be printed and returned to you by post.

To print a full-size topographic map, download the map from our indexes above and use the following specifications when placing your order with a print provider:

• Maps should be printed on a large-format size paper, for example the A1 paper size (59.4 cm x 84.1 cm) or in some cases the A0 paper size (84.1cm x 118.9 cm).
• Maps at 1:250 000 and 1:1 million scale are in PDF and/or GeoPDF format which have embedded print page size.
• Maps at 1:100 000 scale, depending on their currency, could be a PDF, JPG or TIFF. (see below for printing instructions for a TIFF)
• Maps at 1:50 000 scale are TIFF images, and the image size in centimetres must be calculated to determine a suitable paper size. To find the size of the image in centimetres, open the image options to find the pixel dimensions and resolution in dots per inch (dpi) and follow the steps below:
  • To calculate image length, divide pixel length by dpi (this will give you the length in inches).
  • Multiply by the length in inches by 2.54 to convert to centimetres.
  • Calculate image width using the same formula with the pixel width number.
  • Select a paper size larger than the image size and print with the setting ‘print actual size’ for an accurate scale.
  • For example, a TIFF image which is 9393 x 11144 pixels and 400 dpi is calculated to be 59.68 cm x 70.76 cm and therefore should be printed on A0 paper.
• Use 90 to100 gsm paper for maps that will be folded.
• Use 100+ gsm paper if you require greater paper durability for maps that will be stored flat or rolled.

Keep your paper maps away from direct sunlight when not in use, to prevent colours fading.

If you are unable to print our maps, or are having trouble finding a printing service, please contact us for assistance on 1800 800 173 or clientservices@ga.gov.au

Please visit our copyright page for information on how to cite our products.

Map reading guide

The Map Reading Guide is an ideal resource for a wide range of map users and is an excellent and simple introduction to topographic maps which are suitable for anyone with an interest in maps.

NATMAP Digital Maps

The NATMAP Digital Maps 1:250 000 scale georeferenced raster mosaic files cover the whole Australian mainland and Tasmania (1995 – 2012). The files are accessible as either a single mosaic file, mosaic files by UTM zones and streaming map services.

• NATMAP Digital Maps 250K mosaic files
• NATMAP Digital Maps 250K Web Services