Karijini the pilot map for Smart Park app

Hiking and outdoor enthusiasts heading to Karijini National Park no longer have to worry about getting lost after the introduction of a new offline maps app.

The WA Parks Foundation, in partnership with BHP and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, released Smart Park last month, with the new interactive maps enabling people to see their location in national parks in real time.

Karijini is the first of the maps to be released and providing the app and the map are downloaded before going out of range, the Smart Park maps uses a mobile device’s built-in GPS capabilities to accurately find its current location.

WA Parks Foundation chairwoman Kerry Sanderson said she recently visited Karijini and tried using the new maps.

“I was amazed at the ability to track my location even from the bottom of some of the most spectacular gorges and rock formations, where I had no network coverage,” she said.

“We intend to create Smart Parkmaps for all of WA’s 101 national parks, but with some of the most ancient, rugged scenery and high visitation in a remote area, Karijini made for a perfect pilot.”

DBCA assistant director of visitor services Rod Annear said Smart Park maps offer an alternative to the traditional park brochure with map.

“The Smart Park maps will be useful and provide confidence for hikers, campers and park visitors, by providing them with as much information as possible, in real time,” he said

“Users will know what facilities, trails and activities are available when preparing their visit, as well as discover where the next lookout, toilet, picnic area or swimming hole is as they adventure through the park.”

The Smart Park maps can be downloaded via the Avenza Maps app from either the Google Play Store or Apple iStore.