We have a large amount of data available as mapping layers for Crystal Waters (which can be found here). Any of this data can be downloaded to your phone or computer to create and use maps. You can use Google Earth to overlay the mapping data onto the Google Earth Aerial imagery and create your own maps, or you can use an App such as Avenza with any (or all) of the mapping data to locate yourself anywhere on Crystal Waters and see what is mapped for that location: for example – Are you on top of a water line or the fibre trench?, Are you in a Madeira Vine or Annual Ragweed patch?, Is there a road, walking track or fire trail nearby?, Where is the nearest fenceline or gate?, Are you on a private lot or on the common land?, Which sections of road were resealed in 2023-24?, etc.
You can also find some basic maps of the property below or on the Google Drive here. For example if you want a printable map of the walking tracks or a map of the fibre lines.
Using the mapping data with Google Earth
Google Earth Pro is free and available for download until June 2027 – this is the most flexible way to use the program. They are gradually switching to a web-based version only, but for now I will stick to the download and describe how to use the mapping data with it.
If you don’t already have it, download Google Earth Pro for Desktop here. Download the mapping data you’d like to have on your map from the Google Drive here. Then you can add any of the mapping data layers by going to File>Open> then navigating to where the files are.
Using Avenza
Avenza is an App available for both Android and iOS systems which enables you to use your device’s inbuilt GPS to locate yourself, even when off-grid. You don’t need mobile or wifi reception to use it and it’s free! However, you do need a connection initially, to download the map layers you want to use. You can find out about it here. Once there, you can follow the “Resources and Support” link to find out how to use it. I will give the basics for setting it up on an Android device below:
- Download the App
- Download the mapping data you’d like to have on your map from the Google Drive here.
- Open the App to the “Library” then open the basemap, or find a basemap that you’d like to use (Follow the “Discover” link or “+”). You can find a basic Topographic map from Getlost Maps – we’re on the Nambour one. I find the supplied basemap is fine.
- Now you need to go to the bottom right corner of the screen and click on the stack of 3 squares (layers) to add your layers – then follow the “+” sign, then “import”, then “From storage locations”, then find your downloaded layers and add them.
- If you’ve added quite a few layers you may need to go into the settings to be able to see them all. Find the Settings in the top right on the home screen, go into “Map view” then tick the “unlimited number of features” box.
- You can go into the “layers” to hide or show different layers or features within each layer.
- Now you can go anywhere on the property and the blue dot will show you where you are and the layers will show you what is in the area. You can also add markers (and add photographs to them) to your map where-ever you go.
- Happy exploring!
