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All articles tagged 'tips'
Travelling the outback with kids
Many of Australia’s most iconic destinations are in the outback and travelling to these remote locations with a family can...
The Canning Stock Route in Western Australia — part one
Few other three-word 4WD route names evoke stronger thoughts and mental images of remoteness, rugged terrain and general isolation than...
Join the Hema Safe launch event | Sunday 8 September
Safety is one of our core principles here at Hema Maps, and we’re proud to announce that we’re launching a...
How to choose a safe campsite in Australia
We’ve all seen and experienced a badly set up camp – but do not be deterred, there are some simple...
Hema’s guide to outback travel and survival
Words Scott Heiman Pics Scott Heiman and Supplied While travelling in the Australian outback can be dangerous, there are...
Travelling with kids and the new Kids’ Lap Bible — Rose Foster interview
Words Julija Zivanovic Pics Rose Foster and Supplied To celebrate the release of the all-new Kids’ Lap Bible, we...
How to Clean your 4WD after a Beach Trip?
Featuring insights on how to save time and money from expert Dave Darmody (from Australian Offroad Academy). Hint: salt water...
Outdoor Adventure Must-Have: First Aid Kit
If you're heading off on a summer road trip or camping holiday, there are two things you should never...
Safety Tips for Driving at Night
Nighttime driving presents a whole new range of challenges to road tourers including decreased visibility, reduced time to react,...
The Importance of Having Someone Spot Your 4WD Recovery
It can happen at any time. You find yourself in need of an outside set of eyes. Even with reverse...
Educating Kids on the Road
Many families avoid long-term travel while their kids are young or in school, but Melissa from This Is Our Australia...
Family Travel Tips
Investing in the Road TripWhether the kids in the backseat are 6 or 16, the feeling of being ‘dragged along...
What to Do When You Breakdown in the Outback
Having a vehicular breakdown on the highway is an annoyance, but breaking down in the Outback can be fatal. Be...
Staying connected on the road
Communications are vitally important when you head into remote parts of Australia. It's never a good idea to rely solely...
Australian Fishing Calendar
No matter what time of year your holidays happen to fall in, there's somewhere to fish. Steve 'Starlo' Starling shares...
Essential camping food hacks
Top 5 Modern 4WD Electronic Driving Aids Posted on: 19/09/19When it comes to occasional off-roading, weekends at the ski resort,...
Creek Crossing Safety
Creek crossings are easy — once you know how. But get it wrong and a trip of a lifetime could...
Local Lockdown Blues Cures
The border closures brought by COVID-19 have created a sense of restlessness and itchy feet. No longer able to travel...
Hema’s Tips For Sand Recoveries
Got a desert or beach adventure in the plans? Here are some of Hema’s tips to keep you well and...
Underside Caravan Stone Protection
We caught up with Andrew Phillips and the team from The RV Repair Centre to give us the rundown on...
Australia's Top 10 East Coast Touring Towns
Words by James Jackson Discover the best of East Coast Australia with this list of towns to visit along the...
4WD Beaches Australia
In Australia, we are lucky enough to have a wide selection of amazing beaches that allow 4WD access. Here is...
A Lesson in Safe Beach Driving
Driving in sand requires proper technique and good judgement. Do you know all the tips and tricks for the next...
Basic Towing Tips
So, you’ve decided on buying a camper trailer and never towed before? Here are some tips to help you tow...
Beginner Outback 4WD Tracks
The Outback is a pretty special place for us 4WDers. At first glance nothing but salt bush and dust paints...
Driving In Snow
Snow driving isn’t common throughout Australia, but it’s easy enough to seek out if you’re hankering for something different.Snow isn’t...
Snatch Straps Explained
It's always safe to travel with another vehicle, bonus points if your mate has a winch. If not, never fear;...
Small-town Layovers
Australian families have been enjoying an overlanding lifestyle since at least the early 1950s. Popular caravanning owes its origins to...
Launching and Retrieving
LAUNCHINGPre-Flight ChecksFirst up, make sure everything is in good working order. This includes checking your trailer hitch and safety chains...
Driving Lights
Most 4WDers opt to brighten up the path with aftermarket lighting. 4WD guru Steve Cassano runs you through how to...
4WD Battery Systems
In order to determine your power supply needs, you first need to think about how much electricity you consume when...
Best Car Camping Tents - Where To Sleep
Rooftop tents are a popular way to increase campsite comfort, but as I discovered recently, there’s a lotto consider before...
Hemas Guide To Towing Off Road
The debate surrounding the merits of petrol and diesel engines has been raging for decades. Diesel engines are often lauded...
Are Rear Bar Replacements Worth It?
Does adding an aftermarket rear bar to your 4WD provide value or is it a waste of money?
GPS Trackers for 4WD's & Trailers
Words Tyler Jefferson Pics SuppliedCaravans are an excellent investment in quality family time and relaxation. They’re also a major asset...
Interview with REDARC: Powering your every need
With the many types of power sources out there for camping and 4WDing, it can be daunting to know...
Interview with Tony Crooke from GME
Words Robyn Pitman-Williams Pics SuppliedWhen travelling, CB radios can be handy — even lifesaving! But how do you choose one,...
DIY Sunshades
Words and Pics by Scott HeimanRADIATION SICKNESS REMEDYYour van has insulated walls and automotive door and window seals, so the...
Feral Cats - Pussy Galore
Words David CookNot the James Bond villain, but a much more dangerous enemy, this time to Australia’s small animal life.In...
Being Prepared
Words & Images Ron and Viv Moon Travelling isn’t all happy hour and tourist attractions. People need to consider the...
Hema's Tips For Rear Bar Replacements
Most 4WDs in Australia have a bullbar on the front for protection but oftentimes, the rear has a flimsy, plastic...
17 Things You’ll See In The Outback
Thinking of heading into the Australian Outback?. Remote road trips filled with games of eye-spy can create smiling snapshots and...
11 Reasons to Drive the Gibb River Road
This major artery through The Kimberley in Western Australia is one of Australia’s most beautiful drives. We provide 11...
Treading Lightly in the Outdoors
An appreciation of nature goes hand-in-hand with the camping lifestyle, so how can we ensure we ‘leave no trace’ as...
Cape York Trip Prep Tips
How does one prepare for a bumpy old haul up the old Tele Track? Scott Heiman offers his views on...
Dealing With Dust
Got a dusty adventure in mind? Here’s how to keep the clouds of dirt from taking control. You just can’t...
How To Build a Budget DIY Tourer
Words: Ali Millar Pics: Glenn Wardle (Image: We picked up our roof rack and toolbox secondhand for a bargain.)Here are a...
20 Years on the Tracks
As owner and tour leader at Adrenalin Off-Road, Ben Carceller has plenty of opportunities to see some of the best...
Latest Hema Maps Technical Release Note - Major New Map Update
Latest Technical Release Note - 28th May 2021APPLICATIONS AND RELEASE NUMBERApp Name: CamperX - Your Camping GuideApp Version Number: 1.2.1App Name: 4x4 ExplorerApp...
Hema's Guide to Snatch Straps
In the right hands, snatch straps are a clever and effective way to help a stricken vehicle. It's always safe to...
West of Centre Touring
Words and pics Ron and Viv MoonIt’s a camp I always enjoy. Tucked amongst the low sparse scrub with the...
Upsizing Your Tyres
Written by Dan EverettGet any group of 4WDers together and sooner or later the topic of tyres will come up....
The Dark Art of Reverse Parking a Caravan - How to Reverse a Caravan in Tow
We've yet to meet anyone that loves reversing a caravan into a tight spot. In fact, the vast majority of...
9 Things You Should Know About Water Crossings
(Image: Hema's Top 5 Victorian High Country 4x4 drives - Ingeegoodbee River crossing track.)HOW DEEP CAN YOU GO?Before you leave...
Batteries- How Much & What Type?
(Image: Century Overlander 4x4 Battery.) HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?One of the most common questions that prospective camper trailer or caravan owners...
Desert Survival Tips
Rescue services are regularly called out to find lost bushwalkers, campers, tourists and hunters in and around Central Australia. Our...
How Hema Maps Are Made
Have you ever picked up a map and just felt more lost after looking at it than you had beforehand?...
Tips for Driving on Sand
Sand driving requires a certain set of skills that, once attained, will open some of the most enjoyable and scenic...
4WD Storage Ideas
There are so many different types of storage options out there, we thought it was time to show you as...
How GPS Navigation Works
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are quickly becoming the standard navigation devices for all kinds of travel. They're great for planning...
4WDriving and Track Care
How often have you seen a post shared on social media that makes you shake your head in disbelief because...
Remote Area First Aid
(Image: A simple slip and fall in the bush can happen at any time.) If you’ve prepared for the unexpected, then...
Trip Planning - Hema’s New 4x4 Explorer App
Hema’s launch of the new 4x4 Explorer App has seen a number of new innovations, one of which is Trip planning...
Hema U - Online Training Program Schedule - Nov and Dec 2020
Hema is very pleased to announce that following a successful trial, we are rolling out a formal online training program...
A Quick Guide to 4WD Suspension
Standard 4WD vehicle suspension is installed by the manufacturer to suit as wide a range of uses as possible and...
Hema’s Tips for the Big Lap
As border restrictions ease, thousands of Covid weary Australians are looking to hit the road on that great caravanning right...
Natural Navigation Techniques
No matter how well you prepare for your adventures, it's a simple matter of probability that if you go on...
The Importance of Outback Communications
Travelling the outback can throw up all sorts of unexpected situations and being able to communicate with others is extremely...
Packing and Racking
Loading up for a big trip is an individual artform that’s different for every traveller and every trip, but there...
Driving In Mud
Australia’s dry and dusty tracks will quickly turn into slick mudslides after a bit of rain, when this happens it’s...
Easy 4WD Maintenance at Home
There’s no better time to take care of all the basic maintenance jobs that you may have been putting off.
Outback Travel; The Little Things
Basic comforts can mean the world of difference and those flies, they can drive you crazy.When you’re in the outback,...
Outback Navigation and Communication
Accessing technology before you leave is essential insurance out on the tracks.Maps and a means of reliable communication are vital...
Tips for Long Outback Drives
Playing it safe is the smartest option when it comes to remote area travel.BEATING THE CORRUGATIONSCorrugations can shake seven shades...
How to Avoid the Winter Blues
Tips to keep the winter chill away from Anita and Mike Pavey.If you’ve been enviously watching your friends’ further north...
7 Essentials for Serious Four-wheel Drivers
There are plenty of nice-to-have bits of kit to use off the beaten track, but for anyone who wants to...
Getting Equipped
Make sure you’re fully equipped to tackle the High Country before your next foray into Australia’s alpine wonderland. 4WD...
5 Off-Road Lessons You Never Want to Learn
Failing off-road can be a great learning experience, but some 4WD lessons are best avoided at all costs.1. Your winch...
Off-Road Modification
Perhaps you purchased the best 4WD vehicle you could afford, and the plan is to modify it as finances permit....
Towing Weights Explained with Rules and Regulations
Weight is a massively important consideration when towing, we simply cannot over-emphasise the gravity of the matter. It may not...
Best 4WD Driving Lights: Halogen vs HID vs LED
Lights that perform well for the longest time are great bits of gear to have, especially considering that your lighting...
6 Tips for Getting More Out of Your Tyres Off-Road
These tips have been provided by Cooper Tires Australia, the tyre trusted by the Hema Map Patrol for remote mapping...
Can You Travel the Outback with Kids?
The Outback is home to many of Australia’s most iconic journeys and destinations, but traversing it with a family can...
Outback Accommodation
TentsThe tent world is the most diverse when it comes to outdoor sleeping quarters, ranging massively in size, quality, price...
Ultimate 4WD Touring Living & Accommodation
Pop-Top Roof Bed Ground Tent Camper Trailer Caravan Aussie Overlanders Aussie Overlanders Gareth and Kirsty are true explorers, with their...
The Map Patrol's Favourite Free Campsites
Australia is home to many amazing free camping areas, so to uncover the best around we asked our resident adventure...
3 Ways to Get Off-Road More Often
Avoid the excuses about why you don’t camp and tour off-road as much as you’d like with these practical tips...
Reducing your touring footprint
We're privileged to experience some of the more remote wilderness areas in the country, and as users of these spaces...
Outback 4WD vehicle preparation tips
Australia’s arid regions are exciting but harsh, so preparing yourself is key to a safe and hassle-free trip. A...
12 Tips for Driving in Snow
1. Observe all local speed limits, no matter what the conditions are. Always keep control of your speed.2. Take care...
Map Patrol 4x4 Accessories
ARB 4x4 Accessories have kitted out every Hema Map Patrol since the first in 1998, and the LandCruiser is no...
10 Most Underrated Camping Accessories
Caravan & Camping Pack Camps Australia Wide 9 Caravan Parks Australia Wide Camping Guide to Australia 1. Cable tiesCable ties...
Australian Coastal 4WD Destinations
Australia is renowned for its eye-popping coastline and riparian environs, and those that are harder to reach are often the...
Top five beach camping tips
Improve your beach camping game with these top five tips for an awesome tripOne: Know the rulesThere are many places...
The 10 Best Free Camping Sites in NSW
Blue Mountains What better way to escape the bustling metropolitan centres of New South Wales than to load up the wagon...
4WD Environmental Issues
Bush Bashing & Track CareStick to 4WD tracks. Literally going off-road and bush bashing is destructive to the vegetation and...
Sharing space with wildlife
Sharing Space with Wildlife Posted on: 17/06/19The more time spent in the great outdoors, the higher the chances of coming...
Minimising Vehicle Impact on Fraser
Fraser Island is a whole new world of natural beauty: sand-rooted rainforest, cleansing lakes of trapped rainwater and ever-changing sand...
What You Need to Camp Without Facilities
Staying at campsites without facilities - or bush camping as it’s known in Australia - are often the most remote,...
Ultimate 4WD Touring Vehicles
LandCruiser Troop Carrier80 Series LandCruiserHolden RodeoNissan Patrol Aussie Overlanders 1989 HJ75RV Toyota LandCruiser Troop CarrierAussie Overlanders Gareth and Kirsty are...
Hardware & Electrical System
The 4x4 accessories are installed, the canopy has been made and fitted, but it’s our LandCruiser 79’s final build stage...
Ultimate 4WD touring vehicle maintenance
LandCruiser Troop Carrier 80 Series LandCruiser Holden Rodeo Nissan Patrol Aussie Overlanders 1989 HJ75RV Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carrier Aussie Overlanders...
4WD Vehicle Packing Tips
Maximise cargo accessibility, safety, and time on the road with these 4WD vehicle-packing tips to simplify trip preparation.1. Heavy items...
Vehicle Preparation
Cape York is perhaps the most revered four-wheel drive location in Australia, with off-roaders everywhere dreaming about undertaking the epic...
The Basic Guide to Camping With Dogs
Your choice of travel companion can make or break a trip. From honeymoon holidays with your soul mate to never-ending...
Tools to take to the Victorian High Country
Exploring Victoria’s Alpine National Park in a 4WD is an extreme experience of nature, so being prepared for the remoteness...
4x4 Off-road Gear You Do & Don't Need
With all kinds of 4x4 accessories and off-road gear available to travellers these days, which pieces of gear are the...
Off-road fuel consumption and carrying
Off-Road Fuel: Consumption and CarryingConsumptionVehicles are rated with a certain fuel consumption figure, which is calculated for good road conditions....
4WD Lighting
The benefits of additional lighting rigs are obvious; when you’re out there on a pitch-black, overcast night, it’s nice to...
3 Ways to Use Paper Maps in a Digital Age
Rob Boegheim has been at the helm of Hema’s push towards digital navigation as the company's managing director, overseeing the...
Permits & Contacts
These visitor centres and Government offices are able to answer most questions relating to their particular areas. 4WD Pack Atlas...
10 Weird Outback Rock Formations
Australia is full of unique outback landforms and rock formations that drop the jaws and bend the minds of travellers...
Outback main
Preparing for the Outback Posted on: 30/04/20The Outback is a special place for us 4WDers. At first glance nothing but...
The Loneliest 4WD tracks
4WD Tracks & Trails Australia's 5 Most Remote 4WD Tracks Posted on: 29/10/19One of the most appealing prospects of having...
Biggest 4WD Vehicle Recovery Myths
Avoid the fake news and head offroad with confidence after busting these common 4WD recovery mythsWords by James Jackson These tips...
How to Know You're An Experienced Off-Roader
These tips have been provided by Australian Offroad Academy, the 4WD trainers trusted by Hema Maps.When it comes to touring...
Keeping Your 4WD Legal
Owning a 4WD allows you to see some of the most spectacular parts of Australia. You can modify it to...
Top First Aid Kits for Travellers
One of the best ways to keep the weight down in our trailers and tow vehicles is to only pack...
Is Your Vehicle Road Trip Ready?
Whether you're heading on an interstate road trip or an extended off-road adventure, these vehicle prep tips will ensure you...
Camping with Solar Power
Using solar power while you camp and tour off-road can seem like a dark art, but creating a reliable system...
Hema's Guide To Towing Off Road
Once you veer off the black-top and reach the end of the graded-gravel roads, obstacles are made all the more...
The Basic 4WD Vehicle Inspection Checklist
Stay safe while you’re travelling and find out how to inspect your four-wheel drive with our Map Patrol’s expert guide...
Australia's 5 Most Remote 4WD Tracks
One of the most appealing prospects of having an off-road adventure is getting into isolated areas where people are few...
Six Common 4WD Misconceptions
As much as we like to think we're that little bit smarter than average, it never hurts to brush up...
Making money on the road
8 Tips for Making Money on the Road Posted on: 02/07/14Start exploring Australia sooner than you planned and stay out...
Navigation Lingo You Really Need to Know
Think you know where you’re heading? Become a serious explorer with our list of navigation terms that every die-hard traveller...
Navigating on Paper with a Compass
Hone your navigation skills with a compass and map!Navigating with Paper and CompassNavigating your way around Australia ain’t what it...
The Aussie Overlanders - What Makes an Explorer?
Gareth and Kirsty have already begun their mammoth journey from Sydney to London via Africa, and say that it’s a...
Preparing for a Long Road Trip
4WD Adventure Pack Australia Road & 4WD Atlas Australia Road & Terrain Map Caravan & Camping Pack New Gen Explorers...
How to Plan a One-Month Trip in One Day
Want to get the ball rolling on your next epic touring adventure? Stop dreaming and start packing with this crash...
4WD Recovery No Winch No Worries
A set of MaxTrax will keep you sane on sandIt's often assumed that any serious four wheeler should be loaded...
Maintaining the Canvas on your Rooftop Tent
DIY Canvas Care From the fully folded shelter of a soft-floor camper to the pull out awning on your 4WD, most...
Camping Equipment Checklist
Australia Road & 4WD Touring Atlas Camps Australia Wide 10 Caravan Parks 5 Australia Wide Australia Large Map Laminated Tubed...
Finding Secret Travel Spots
Want to escape the beaten track and find elbow room at little-known campsites where the views are your own? With...
Choosing the Right Map
Map DetailThe scale of any map is one of the most important features to be aware of, as it indicates...