The 2026 Hema Maps Explorers Calendar — inspiring adventure, every day
Words Justin Gill and Hema Editorial Team, Pics and Video Joshua Hanger
While Hema Maps has been producing trusted maps, atlases and navigation products for decades, this is the first time we’ve captured our story of exploration in a format that can inspire you every day of the year.
For more than 40 years, Hema Maps has been roaming Australia’s far reaches. From corrugated outback tracks to wild coastal routes, we’ve dedicated ourselves to mapping, recording and sharing the extraordinary places that make this country unique. Our mission has always been simple: to prepare and inspire Australians to explore.
That mission has taken us far beyond the highways and glossy tourist trails. We’ve sought out hidden gorges, winding bush tracks, tiny towns and cultural festivals that celebrate the real heart of Australia. These are the experiences that shape not just our journey, but yours too.
And now, that same spirit of discovery has inspired something brand new for 2026 — the Hema Maps Explorers Calendar.
Not just a calendar
This is more than a way to mark off the months. It’s adventure on your wall. It’s a celebration of Australia’s landscapes, people and adventures. Each month features stunning photography from our community of ‘Alpha’ explorers and the Hema Maps team. These are pictures that don’t just show the obvious postcard landmarks, but which capture those offbeat, breathtaking moments that stick with you.
As part of the Hema Map Patrol, I feel lucky to see these journeys brought to life. It’s humbling to know they can now inspire you, day after day, right from your wall.
Your ‘Big Lap’ — month by month
Here’s where it gets clever. The 2026 Hema Maps Explorers Calendar doubles as a Big Lap guide.
As you move through the year, each month highlights a different region, showing you not only the most spectacular sights but also the best time of year to experience them. This seasonal approach means you’ll always be in the right place at the right time, whether that’s enjoying the wildflowers in WA, escaping to the tropics in the dry season, or exploring the deserts in the cooler months.
We’ve even included suggestions on where to base yourself. By December, you’ll have looped the country not only on paper, but also on the ground, visiting each region in its prime season.
A year of festivals and culture
Travel is about more than landscapes — it’s about people and their stories. So, along with state and national holidays, the calendar features a handpicked list of classic outback festivals and regional events.
Think the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, the quirky Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta, the iconic Birdsville Races, the rugged excitement of the Ord Valley Muster, the vibrant flavours of the Stanley and Tarkine Forage Festival and the Birdsville Big Red Bash — the calendar highlights the best of what regional Australia has to offer.
Other events included range from the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo and Merrijig Rodeo to Ceduna Oysterfest and Back O' Bourke Easter Festival.
These moments prove that outback and regional Australia are alive with colour, community and creativity, and this calendar means you won’t miss them.
A practical tool for dreamers and explorers
The Explorers Calendar isn’t just eye candy. It’s built to be useful as well as inspirational. Inside you’ll find:A detachable A3 fold-out Hema Map of Australia with highways and iconic tracks.A built-in distance chart for planning.Exclusive QR codes linking to online tips and content from Hema’s explorers.Whether you’re plotting your Big Lap, lining up shorter escapes or just dreaming from the comfort of home, it keeps adventure front of mind all year round.
We are honoured to play a role in sharing these stories, and we invite you to carry them with you on your next journey.
Why now?
For decades we’ve gathered the images, stories and insights that make this country so rich. It felt right to finally bring them together in a format that can live on your wall — a constant companion as you plan, dream and count down the months, weeks or days to your next trip.
The 2026 Hema Maps Explorer Calendar is the first of its kind, but it won’t be the last. It marks a new way for us to share the incredible places we’ve been privileged to explore, and a new way to keep inspiring Australians to see their country in fresh ways.
Because adventure isn’t just about where you go. It’s about when you go, who you meet, how you experience it and what you learn. And with Hema Maps, there’s always more to discover.
Check out our video here.
Grab your copy of the 2026 Hema Maps Explorers Calendar here.
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