NSW topographic maps
Topographic maps show the location and shape of both natural and built features on the Earth’s surface, including contours, roads, waterways and buildings.
What are topographic maps?
Topographic maps show the location and shape of both natural and built features. These maps provide coverage across NSW and support a wide range of uses such as recreation, route planning and orienteering.
Topographic maps are also used extensively by emergency services, land use planning and other professionals.
The NSW Topographic Map Series is auto-generated with:
- current data from the NSW Foundation Spatial Data Framework, and
- text labels for key features and terrain.
Features in the maps include:
- the position and form of natural landscapes and constructed features
- elevation information shown through contour lines and spot heights
- feature and road names (where available)
- cities, towns and built-up areas
- transport infrastructure such as roads, rail corridors, bridges and tunnels
- water storages, reserves, parks and other recognisable landmarks
- standard map elements including a legend, scale, map index, coordinate grid, and indicators for true, magnetic and grid north.
Using topographic maps
You can access and download the maps through our NSW Topographic Maps viewer or from the Spatial Collaboration Portal.
The maps are geo-referenced PDFs, so you can use them on GPS devices, phones or tablets.
How to download a map
- Select the map title by using any of the following:
- Search address or map
- Topo Map Index
- Select area on the NSW map
- Search an address or map location using search tool.
- Select the map.
- Use the slider and expand the dark grey details section. On a desktop device, the slider is on the right side of the screen and on a mobile device, the slider is at the bottom of the screen.
- Find the year and file type you'd like to download and click on the 'more info' link.
- The map file will open and you can save or print it.
Features of the NSW Topographic Map viewer
Map scales are typically:
- 1:25,000 in the eastern region of NSW
- 1:50,000 in the central region
- 1:100,000 in the western most parts of the state.
NSW Topographic Maps can be printed on any paper size.
- Maps can be reduced in scale to fit A3 or A4, for example, and printed on your home office printer.
- Some output devices will offer the ability to tile the map output over multiple sheets while maintaining the original scale.
- Printing to scale (100%) will require a large format output device, typically available at printing stores and some retailers, with a finished product size of 1135mm x 580mm.
- Most maps will conform to this size, however there are some exceptions.
The Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020 (GDA2020) is Australia’s national datum, which replaces GDA94 in past GeoPDF maps.
Learn more about the Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020 (GDA2020).
Historical map sheets of the state-wide series are available commencing 2011.
A ‘Collar off’ series is also available.
Collar off maps have the same extent per title, without the legend and border allowing titles to be customised in TIFF format.
Contact Spatial Services
General enquiries
Access the Spatial Services Customer Hub to submit a general enquiry, request data or to provide feedback or suggestions.
If you need assistance while using the hub, you can call 1300 789 966 to leave a voice message for a return call.