Smartphones are now widely used by hikers for navigation, weather checks, and emergency support. When paired with the right apps, they can provide offline topographic maps, GPS positioning, and safety information that is genuinely useful in the bush. Standard mapping apps are not designed for bushwalking, but purpose-built hiking and safety apps can support better planning and situational awareness.
This page is a curated list of safety and trail navigation apps that I personally use and recommend. These apps are tools I have found practical for Australian hiking conditions, covering navigation, weather, emergency response, and general preparedness.
Smartphones do have limitations. Batteries run flat, devices fail, and GPS accuracy can be affected by terrain, vegetation, and weather. For that reason, a smartphone should never be your only navigation or safety method. A paper map and compass, or a dedicated GPS, should always be carried as backup. Two independent navigation methods remain the minimum standard for safe hiking.
Used alongside traditional navigation skills and good planning, smartphone apps can be a valuable addition to your hiking toolkit.
Safety Apps
Good navigation is only part of staying safe outdoors. Being prepared for emergencies, weather changes, and medical issues is just as important. These apps are designed to help you stay informed and respond effectively if something goes wrong.
Emergency Plus
Developed by Australia’s emergency services and government and industry partners. This app uses your phone’s GPS to provide emergency call-takers with accurate location information. It also includes SES and Police Assistance Line numbers for non-emergency situations.
Download: App Store | Google Play
what3words app
A location app that divides the world into 3 × 3 metre squares, each identified by a unique three-word address, which can help emergency services pinpoint your location when you’re unsure of coordinates or landmarks.
Download: App Store | Google Play
BOM Weather
The Bureau of Meteorology’s official app, providing current conditions, forecasts, warnings, and rain radar across Australia.
Download: App Store | Google Play
First Aid App
The Red Cross First Aid app is a free, comprehensive pocket guide covering first aid and CPR, accessible anytime.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Bites and Stings App
An Australian-focused guide to venomous animals and appropriate first aid responses.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Trail Navigation Apps
I always recommend carrying at least two forms of navigation, as apps and battery-powered devices may not always be reliable in the wilderness. Navigation data should also be cross-checked with official maps where possible.
Hiiker App
HiiKER helps you find thousands of hiking and multi-day routes worldwide, with reviews, photos, and accommodation options. Trails can be downloaded for offline use, and planning tools include food, water, and campsite information.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Pocket Earth Pro
Offline-capable, detailed global maps with routing and GPS navigation. Routes can be saved for offline use.
Download: App Store
Gaia GPS
A full-featured mapping and GPS app with multiple map layers, route planning tools, and GPS track recording across mobile and web platforms.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Avenza Maps
Allows offline use of geo-referenced maps, including official and commercial map products, with GPS tracking and waypoint features.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Memory-Map
Turns your phone into an offline GPS using topo, 4WD, street, or marine maps. Once maps are downloaded, no mobile signal is required.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Outdooractive
A route planning and navigation app with downloadable maps and GPS features across mobile and wearable devices.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Top Maps+
Offline topographic maps with GPS tracking, waypoint creation, and navigation support in remote areas.
Download: App Store
Wikiloc
A trail discovery and GPS tracking app with route filters, recording features, and offline navigation tools for premium users.
Download: App Store | Google Play
Tips for using smartphone apps on the trail
Smartphone apps work best when they are prepared and managed properly. A few simple habits can make a big difference on the trail.
Manage battery life: Carry a power bank on longer walks and avoid unnecessary battery drain. Use airplane mode when you do not need reception, as phones searching for signal can lose power quickly.
Prepare apps before you leave: Download maps, routes, and data at home where you have reliable internet. Make sure you know how each app works before relying on it in the field.
Protect your phone: Keep your phone dry and warm. Water, cold temperatures, and condensation all reduce battery performance and can damage devices.
Understand your location tools: Know how to view your GPS coordinates and how to share your location if required. If your phone supports satellite emergency messaging, learn how to access it before an emergency.
Use communication efficiently: When battery or signal is limited, SMS messages are often more reliable and use less power than phone calls.
Smartphone apps should support decision making, not replace awareness of your surroundings or basic navigation skills.
Final note
Smartphone apps can be useful tools for hikers, but they are not guarantees of safety. Good planning, traditional navigation skills, and redundancy remain essential, especially in remote or unfamiliar terrain.
The apps listed on this page are intended to support safer hiking through better information and preparedness. Used correctly and backed up with a map, compass, or dedicated GPS, they can add confidence and capability on the trail without replacing fundamental bushwalking skills.
Qualification: I am nowadays either walking trails only or bikepacking. My days of off-tracking hiking are pretty much over so I have less to no use for paper maps and a compass. I still carry a compass, but the WA paper maps do not seem to be of much use due to their currency.
I also now use my Garmin Fenix 7 over a standalone hiking GPS but again for the above reasons.
On to apps:
I have Emergancy Plus but use Willy Weather rather than BOM’s app. As to navigation apps I prefer Locus Maps (used this one extensively in France) and RidewithGPS. The likes of Gaia and others I have looked at in the context of WA provide nothing more than I can get from the above, too, so I haven’t bothered paying for them.
I note that you have some listed I haven’t looked at before so will indeed check them out.
I have this installed but I find for WA at least that the maps are not that useful for my usage so rarely bother with it. It is there as a ‘just in case’ tool but that is about it.