Visitors to Northern Territory parks can now take an interactive park map with them on their mobile phone to help them stay safe and on track.
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NT Maps on the Go provides users with important information on walking tracks, water stations, lookouts and other points of interest in Territory parks.
One notable omission thus far is the Leliyn (Edith) Falls area, where emergency services have been challenged by the lack of mobile phone coverage during searches for lost bushwalkers in the past.
An Optus tower is to be located in the falls area as part of the Federal Government's Mobile Black Spot Program.
People with any other phone plan, can use service from this tower to make a call to Triple 0, regardless of their carrier.
To access NT Maps on the Go, all visitors have to do is download the free Avenza Maps app onto their mobile phone.
Nitmiluk and Elsey national parks are included in the phone maps.
The Avenza Maps app uses the built-in GPS technology in smartphones or tablet devices to plot real-time locations within a park onto the park map.
The app can be used without a network connection and without roaming charges, once downloaded.
The interactive maps also allow users to measure area and distance, plot photos and drop place mark pins. Users can install the app by searching for 'Avenza' in the App Store or Google online store and find a Territory park map by searching for 'NT Parks and Wildlife' in the app.
Avenza Maps is used around Australia and world-wide by park management agencies. There are 35 interactive maps of Territory parks now available to download for free.
For more information go to www.nt.gov.au/mapsonthego
Parks, Wildlife and Heritage senior director Parks and Wildlife Operations said: "The Avenza Maps app is just one tool available to visitors to ensure they beat the heat when visiting Territory parks during extreme heat conditions.
"While visitors to Territory parks should always carry a physical map with them, the Avenza Maps app is great for anyone who has forgotten their map, or to use as a back-up.
"During the hotter summer months, walkers can easily become disorientated due to heat exhaustion. Having an Avenza Map with you can help ensure you stay on track and don't get lost on your visit to a Territory park.
"The best way to avoid heat-related illness on your bushwalk is to be prepared before you go. Make sure you download the Avenza Maps app while you are still in phone range before you visit a park, then you can take your interactive Territory park map with you in your pocket."
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