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Focus on Five

Canning Stock Route 7th edition – $19.95

Updated for 2026, the Westprint Canning Stock Route Map 7th Edition is an essential companion for anyone planning to explore one of Australia’s most iconic and remote outback journeys. Designed specifically for travellers and 4WD adventurers, the map provides detailed and reliable information covering the entire length of the Canning Stock Route. The map covers the full 1,850-kilometre route from Halls Creek in the north to Wiluna in the south, highlighting important points of interest including wells, campsites, water sources and Aboriginal communities. It also includes historical notes on the surveying and construction of the route by Alfred Canning, along with details of later well restoration work by Snell. Printed on durable waterproof and tearproof synthetic material, this edition has been built to handle harsh outback conditions. Clear mapping and easy-to-follow symbols connect with detailed notes on the reverse, covering points of interest, local flora and fauna, and practical travel information. With updated mapping, GPS-surveyed roads and tracks, detailed 4WD and camping information, plus heritage and visitor notes, the Westprint Canning Stock Route Map is an invaluable resource for navigating one of Australia’s most challenging and rewarding remote regions.

https://meridianmaps.com.au/product/canning-stock-route/

Fleurieu Peninsula Map – from $9.95

This detailed Fleurieu Peninsula map from Carto Graphics is produced at a scale of 1:150,000 and covers the scenic region south of Adelaide. It features detailed road networks and road names, parks and reserves, winery cellar doors, hill shading and a wide range of touring information, making it ideal for both visitors and locals exploring the region. The map clearly highlights the iconic Heysen Trail, Australia’s longest walking trail, along with many other regional attractions and destinations. On the reverse are detailed 1:50,000 scale maps of the McLaren Vale wine region, Deep Creek Conservation Park and the Kuitpo Forest area, providing additional topographic detail for walkers, campers and travellers. Comprehensive indexes for towns, localities, parks, reserves and winery cellar doors make the map easy to use when planning day trips, touring holidays or outdoor adventures throughout the Fleurieu Peninsula region.

https://meridianmaps.com.au/product/fleurieu-peninsula-map/

Central Australia –$15.95

This map of Central Australia is an ideal companion for exploring some of the country’s most iconic outback landscapes and remote touring routes. The main map covers the region surrounding Alice Springs, including Uluru, Kata Tjuta, the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Simpson Desert and popular remote routes such as the Hay River Track. Printed across both sides of the map at a scale of 1:1,500,000, it includes extensive detail on Indigenous lands and permit requirements, national parks, desert regions, fuel stops, camping areas and major points of interest throughout Central Australia. Designed for outback travellers and 4WD explorers, the map combines practical navigation with useful touring information. The reverse side features a comprehensive guide to national parks and reserves, including available facilities such as camping, toilets, showers and BBQ areas. It also includes visitor information centre listings, heritage and exploration notes, outback travel advice, hiking information and details on major desert tracks. Key features include GPS-surveyed roads and tracks, fuel locations, 4WD routes, camping and rest areas, and historic sites, making this map a valuable resource for touring and remote area travel across Central Australia.

https://meridianmaps.com.au/product/central-australia/

Outback Road Builders - Opening Up the Strzelecki Track and the Cooper Basin - $37.50

At just sixteen years of age, Gordon Wootton joined the Engineering & Water Supply Department’s road gang in Burra. It was 1958, the same year the South Australian Government committed to building roads into the remote Cooper Basin to support oil and gas exploration by Delhi Santos. What followed became a remarkable chapter in Australia’s outback history. Gordon and the Burra Gang were responsible for pushing roads north along the Strzelecki Track to Innamincka and across the isolated desert country of the Cooper Basin. From Blanchwater to Mount Hopeless, through the Cobbler Sandhills and along Strzelecki Creek, they helped create the access routes that would open the region to exploration and industry. Working in extreme heat and harsh conditions, facing sandstorms, isolation and rugged living, the road crews developed a strong sense of mateship and resilience. Outback Road Builders is Gordon Wootton’s firsthand account of those pioneering years, capturing the determination, humour and teamwork that defined life on the track. Featuring rare historical photographs, the book offers a vivid insight into the challenges and achievements of building roads into one of the most remote parts of Australia, preserving an important piece of outback history.

https://meridianmaps.com.au/product/outback-road-builders/

Camping & Outdoor Family Activity Guide – $24.95

Engagingly illustrated and packed with ideas, this family-friendly guide features hundreds of outdoor and camping activities designed to help families make the most of time outside — whether camping, visiting a local park or simply enjoying the backyard. Covering everything from what to pack and essential camping equipment through to campfire recipes, outdoor games and practical bush skills, the book is filled with inspiration for all ages. Older kids and teenagers can discover ways to combine technology with outdoor adventure through activities such as geocaching, citizen science projects and documentary filmmaking, while younger children can enjoy sensory play and backyard adventures. There are also ideas for outdoor movie nights, backyard camping experiences and family Olympic-style games. Whether you are planning a family camping holiday or just looking for ways to encourage more outdoor play and less screen time, this book is packed with fun and practical ideas to help the whole family enjoy the outdoors together.

https://meridianmaps.com.au/product/ag-campoutdoor-family/

Meridian Musings

I love reading the stories sent in by Wily Wanderer and always come away inspired by his adventures. There’s something fantastic about the spontaneity of his trips and the obvious enjoyment he gets from simply getting out and exploring. It’s not always smooth sailing either — there’s been bad weather, equipment troubles and vehicle issues along the way — but none of it ever seems to put him off. If anything, I sometimes think the challenges only add to the adventure for him. There is another story to inspire in this edition of the Meridian Line

What’s New to the Website

NQR Laminated Maps– “Not Quite Right” Laminated Maps. The maps themselves are perfectly fine — unfortunately the laminate sometimes isn’t. Anyone who has tried feeding a large sheet through a laminating machine will understand that the occasional misfeed can happen, resulting in small creases or imperfections in the laminate. Importantly, this does not affect the integrity, usability or readability of the map.

Because of these cosmetic imperfections, these maps are offered at reduced prices. The NQR Laminated Maps section will only display products when NQR stock is available.

https://meridianmaps.com.au/product-category/not-quite-right-maps/

Seasonal Updates

Please be aware that road and park closures are constantly changing and it is always best to check for changes before you set out.

For more regular updates on closures, please check our Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/MeridianWestprintMapsas we try to include warnings and advice as we become aware of them.Thelatest Desert Parks Bulletin has been uploaded to our website. For this and other Desert Pass updates, please go tohttps://meridianmaps.com.au/deserts-pass-update/

Seasonal road closures in Victoria. generally operate from after the King's Birthday long weekend in June through to the end of October, but the closures may be extended if conditions are not suitable to safely re-open the roads. A full list of closures can be found atList of 2026 seasonal road closures.

What’s On

10 July: Tenant Creek Show in Northern Territory.Great day out for the whole family! Kids entertainment, exhibits, market stalls, side shows and much more!!

https://www.tennantcreekshow.com.au/

10 – 12 July: Queensland Garden in Queensland.Explore the state's largest collection of plants in one location and enjoy free talks, demonstrations, and workshops led by some of Australia's top gardening experts.

https://qldgardenshow.com.au/

Show 10 – 12 July: Art Deco Festival in Leeton in NSW.Immerse yourself in the culture, music, fashion, food, and vehicles of this iconic period.

https://leetonartdecofestival.com.au/

12 July: Winterfest Port Stephens Car Show in NSW. A spectacular showcase of classic and modern cars. Connect with fellow car lovers and experience a day filled with automotive excellence.

https://www.portstephenscarshow.com.au/

16 – 26 July: Jumpers & Jazz in July in Queensland.Winter festival that transforms Warwick into a colourful mix of yarn bombing, jazz performances and creative street art celebrating community creativity and winter warmth with installations, music and a strong local arts focus.

https://jumpersandjazz.com.au/

17 – 19 July: Yowah Opal Festival in Queensland.Celebrate the town’s opal mining history and unique culture with live music, opal and art exhibitions, markets, workshops and more.

https://www.yowahfestival.com/

17 – 19 July: Boulia Camel Races in Queensland. A weekend of camel racing, entertainment and country hospitality, combining colourful races with live music, novelty events and a lively outback atmosphere in the heart of Channel Country.

https://www.bouliacamelraces.com.au/

17 – 19 July: Lightwave in Tasmania.An annual winter arts festival celebrating ‘people and place’ and fostering community connection and collective warmth in the darkness of winter. Lightwave takes the phenomenon of light as a catalyst for the festival’s multi-artform programme with three days of music and art events .

https://lightwavefestival.au/

18 July: Bulls’n’Barrels Bonanza Rodeo in Queensland.a high-energy country rodeo event featuring bull riding, barrel racing and classic rodeo action that attracts competitors and spectators from across the region.

https://www.facebook.com/teccarodeo/

23 - 26 July: Childers Festival in Queensland.One of regional Queensland’s biggest n community festivals, with market stalls, live music, street performers, cultural displays, carnival rides and community events.

https://www.facebook.com/ChildersFestival/

25 – 26: Willunga Almond Blossom in South Australia.Fun of the show rides, side shows, animal nursery, giant games, circus entertainers, camel and pony rides plus when you get hungry and want to slow down, there is a variety of food trucks, live music, market stalls to browse.

https://willungarecpark.com.au/almond-blossom-festival/

25 July: Glenreagh Timber festival in NSW.A fun-filled event packed with family-friendly entertainment, the famous wood chop, captivating live music, mesmerising steam engine & vintage machinery displays, bustling market stalls, mouth-watering food trucks, and delightful encounters with working animals.

https://www.glenreaghtimberfestival.com.au/

Do you have a story?

If you’ve got a trip or tips to share, we’d love to hear from you -rochelle@meridianmaps.com.au.

THE TRIP WE HAD JUST TO HAVE A TRIP- AUGUST 2014

Well, here we go again. My mate and I are going for a 7 to 10 or11 to 12 days over the mountains just for a look see. A drive in the country you might say ! A bigger and longer trip that was planned to go out to The Rock fell through so I thought we’d compromise with a short run out north and west.

It starts when my mate, Rod, comesup from Sydney to Lansdowne to my place in his bright red original Holden SS ,H Q model – a rare beast. So it’s Sunday morning and I’m having a roll up at the local bowling club when suddenly everyone stops and all heads turn as the big SS rolls rumbling into the carpark. There’s still nothing quite like the sound of the oldV8 s.

So the SS is an instant drawcardand everyone knows we’re there, but what they don’t know is where we’re going. And where we’re going the SS just can’t cut it !

We’ve got my old Landcruiser hitched up to a camper trailer. The Cruiser’s been out before, but it’s the first time for the camper and we’re going to see how it goes.

So from my place at Lansdowne we’re taking the back road straight through the Yarrat State Forest to Wingham, and over the ranges on the dirt to Nowendoc. A far cry from slipping up the Expressway at ? mph. We then drop down the Port Stephens Cut into the Dungowan Valley and on to Tamworth. On the way we stop by the Nat Buchanan memorial. There’s no big deal about it. It’s just a marble stone commemorating one of Australia’s great pioneers. An unsung hero and all he gets is a stone on the side of a side road.

The first night’s easy.We didn’t test the camper at all. I have a son in Tamworth andwe were offered a soft bed and a home cooked meal. We’ll have that, thank you. But in the morning we’re off. First thing to see is Mt. Kaputar. 1508 metres above sea level . Amazing. Out here in the flat country – the black soil plains – this range rises to this height ? And the big deal is, you can drive right to the top ! How many places do you go where there’s a barrier across the road, a shitty little car park and a two kilometre walk to get to see what you came to see ? Well, here there’s a roadall the way to the top. It may have helped that, some time back, Kaputar was in contention for the siting of the Anglo – Australian telescope, which now stands at Siding Springs in the Warrumbungles. But also there’s not many places with a 360 ˚ view. We’re not on a cliff top or on the side of a big hill, we’re right on top of the mountain. Without the haze of distance, theoretically from here you can see one tenth of the state of NSW. Astounding !

But then it’s lunch time so we check out the camp grounds. There’s tables and shelters and CLEAN gas barbeques. Another surprise, public press-button gas barbeques that are actually clean enough to use! And the shower and toilet block are clean as a whistle and better quality than you find in most caravan parks. And all this on top of a mountain. Obviouslyall the kangaroos and joeys are helping look after the place pretty good.

Back down the mountain , where the descent is just as breathtaking as the way up, and back onto the plains. South and west of Narrabri, where we camped overnight in the showgrounds,and not far along the road to Pilliga we stop at the Australian Telescope Compact Array. There are six huge telescope dishes and whilst one remains stationary, the rest can be moved along a rail line 5km long to get different angles of sight. They are famous for their discoveries of the cosmos and are used by our own Universities andInternationals alike. The complex boasts information services and picnic facilities, of which we took advantage.

Out on the flat country our next target was the artesian bore baths at Pilliga, and once again set up our you–beaut camper trailer. This is when we decided unanimously, the two of us, what a mongrel thing it really is, The two of us struggled to get the damned thing to fold out off the trailer, Then one of us had to crawl inside like a wombat to put up the braces while the other bloke held it up to stop it from collapsing in on him. We figured it shouldn’t be this difficult and we’d get better at it as time goes on. (Ha!).

The bore baths were great and relaxing and we would have stayed two nights, only there wasn’t much grass and we were on black soil and other campers, travellers, nomads who had access to satellite, tell us there’s rain coming. We reckon this is not going to be a good place in the wet. So we packed up. Putting the you–beaut camp trailer back together was no easier than setting it up!

Our next place of interest was Lightning Ridge where nowadays they have bitumen roads, We’re on earth formed roads through Come-by-chance and on to the Kamilaroi Highway where we turn north just before Walgett on the Castlereighto The Ridge, getting there in time to visit the “big I with the dot “ to get some info and book in to the caravan park. And there was a lot of caravans. “You’ll be right “, she says, “Just go down in that back corner and set up there “. Okay. Away we go. Not much grass but you don’t expect much in Lightning Ridge. It’s supposed to be hot and dusty. So we unfold our you-beaut camperin the corner of the park and set up. All’s well. Until it rains.

Now, it hasn’t rained in Lightning Ridge for 19 months and the locals are out dancing in it. Good for them. When we get up in the morning we sink four inches into the mud through our plastic floor.Lo and behold, the area where we’re camped has been top dressed and it’s turned into baby shit. And the water pooling on the driveways is draining off to our corner and running under our tent ! If we were to walk around we would bog it up to no end and make an awful mess. Our answer was to close up camp, get in the car and go sightseeing and give it a chance to dry out.

Well, so much for hot and dusty. Along with the rain came this bitterly cold little sou-wester. So whenever we got out to look at something, after slipping and sloshing through the newly made mud, we would nearly freeze our thingos off. We just had no choice, It was back to the pub….. All things considered, the pub wasn’t a bad place. It had beer, food, TV and warmth. And beer, So we had some of all of that. Even the publican was proud of us when we knocked off his free raffle, picking up a meat tray and ten $5 beer vouchers. (I really think he’d prefer it to go to one of the locals). And it kept raining. So the second day was pretty much a re-run of the first except we were drinking their money.

Lightning Ridge really is a different place. We’d checked out a few of the local characters, artists, miners and the like. Not the least of all was“the weatherman”. He had this satellite dish contraption set up with flood lights and mirrors and could bounce waves off the ionosphere and make it rain whenever he wanted to. Or where ever they asked him to. Of course, he took credit for the rain event of the last couple of days, even though his machine was pointing to India, He had once made it rain in Idaho and Nebraska and they wrote to him and asked if he would let them know beforehand next time so that they could prepare for the flash flooding. And he’d made it rain all over Egypt and brought in such a cold front that it snowed in Bagdhad. The Yanks offered him two billion dollars for his device, but he knocked them back. He didn’t want money, he just wanted to make people happy. After that story it was time to leave. We packed up in the slop and did a good job of keeping things un-muddy.

Grawin was our next port of call, in the lesser-known opal fields. There’s the “Club in the Scrub”, built out of local timber and cypress pine, in the old log cabin style, and you have to drive through the golf course to get there. Then there’s the “Hilton” at Glengarry and the pub at Sheepyards. All opal field areas. We met our esteemed Lightning Ridge publican at Sheepyards in the aftermath of a memorial service for the anniversary of one of the major battles of the Vietnam War.

Instead of backtracking I wanted to take the dirt road south to meet up with the main road into Walgett. The girl at the pub says we’ll be right on that road even after the rain because it’s recently been topped with the diggings out of some of the mines. She says, "After the rain it’s a good time to go Speckin’. That’s where I’d be if I wasn’t stuck here in the pub."

So we stop for lunch along this mine-topped road and this old bloke pulls up and wants to sell us these opal chips he’s picked up off the road. We gave him a cold beer and listened to his yarns before moving on and later, stopping for a break, picking up some colour off the road ourselves!

That night we spent at a free camp on the southern side of Walgett and moved on in the morning to the Warrumbungles via Gulargambone. We checked out the camp sites but the ground was still soggy from the recent rains and we really didn’t feel like opening up that bloody trailer again. We pushed on to Coonabarabran and opted for a cabin in the van park, You know, hot shower and nice warm bed. And we’ll have a bit of decorum. We’ll go to the bowling club for a couple of beers before coming back to cook dinner. But alas, Rod has rolled up his wallet in his sleeping bag, which is all rolled and folded into the trailer, no problem. Instead of fighting to get it out, I’ll sub him until we see it again. But the problem’s not lack of money, it’s lack of ID. They won’t let him in the bowling club without sighting ID. So much for decorum. We tell them to stick it and we’ll spend our money at the pub, which we did.

So from here all we have to do, is cross the ranges to the coast and we’re back home again. Crossing the New England highway we take the S drive to Nundle – of Captain Thunderbolt fame – where they serve beautiful pre-lunch black beer. And we get the low down on the road across the top to Nowendoc. Uphill we go to very near the top of the range and take a short deviation to visit the Sheba Dams. Now a great picnic and overnight stop, the dams were originally built by the Chinese during the gold rush to supply water for washing out the gold. The stone and earth walls were so well put together they still stand strong to this day.

Across the top of the ranges the road takes us through miles of natural eucalypt forest and pine plantations. It was along here we saw a spotted quoll, the first I’ve seen in the wild. Our bush road finally drops us out on the bitumen and we have completed the loop. We’re back on the road we came up on. Now Nowendoc is a must stop. There is a hall, public conveniences and one shop with fuel and food. I always stop at Nowendoc and buy something. It’s the only shop between Gloucester and Walchaon Thunderbolt’s Way and on the back road from Wingham to Tamworth. If this shop closes there’ll be no shop between those places. After a pie, chips and a yarn we’re going back down the mountains. This is one of the most picturesque trips in the Country. In some places it’s rough, steep and narrow, and no place for a van, but the one hour, on dirt, going down is worth the round trip just to get to do it. It’s called The Nowendoc Road.

And if anyoneis travelling that way keep an eye out for a big heap of tent poles that escaped from my you–beaut trailer when the cap came off the carry tube. It wasn’t even glued on ! They came adrift on the first day out, and I looked, but they could be anywhere.

So we’re safely back home minus some tent poles and all is well. We have done a few miles, seen a few things, and weathered some varying circumstances. Would we do it again ? You bet. And while Rod’s warming up the SS and getting ready to slip back down the expressway to the big smoke, I’m working on how to word the ad to sell the you–beaut camper trailer.

Meridian Mirth

To share your jokes, please send them torochelle@meridianmaps.com.au.Many thanks to Rob and Paul for the contributions!

What happens after you die ? Lots of things happen after you die. They just don’t involve you.

Getting old sucks. I blacked out for 20 minutes this morning, before I realised I had my hoodie on backwards.

It amazes me how much exercise and extra fries sound alike.

I’m so glad I was young and stupid before there were camera phones.

You can’t have a bad day at work if you don’t go.

I say we remove the sculpture “The Thinker “. It’s offensive to all the people who don’t think.

Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you.

An eccentric philosophy professor gave a one question final exam after a semester dealing with a broad array of topics:

The class was already seated and ready to go when the professor picked up his chair, plopped it on his desk and wrote on the board:

"Using everything we have learned this semester, prove that this chair does not exist."

Fingers flew, erasers erased, notebooks were filled in furious fashion. Some students wrote over 30 pages in one hour attempting to refute the existence of the chair.

One member of the class however, was up and finished in less than a minute.

Weeks later when the grades were posted, the rest of the group wondered how he could have got an A when he had barely written anything at all.

His answer consisted of two words: "What chair?"

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Disclaimer

Please note that the opinions and articles expressed in The Meridian Line are not necessarily those of The Meridian team. Also, we do not endorse any products (other than our own), or tours listed in my contributed articles.