I do an awful lot of reading and dreaming about planning the big trip, for when we finally are able.  I try to note or remember all the fantastic places to visit but I havent  yet come up with a really good way to record all this.

I was wondering if anyone knows of an online map of Australia, that you can put the equivalent of a map pin into the place you want to go.  Perhaps then have some kind of index to add notes or attach comments from forums, travel blogs etc.  I thought of buying a big map and laminating it to use real map pins, but I prefer to go online where there is so much more information. this would also be easier to take with me when we start the trip. 

 I would welcome any suggestions as I am sure many others want an easy way to plan their trip.  As I said , It needs to be relatively simple for me.

thanks 

Me too!......Denise

Just thinking why not download Google earth

http://earth.google.com/


you can pin a location......just a thought 


Dave

As dave suggests use google earth, I do.

see

http://www.tinyurl.com.au/29v

That link takes you to the first part of our trip.
if you look at our 2009 blog, all the places we stayed are marked on there.

Denise wrote:

---

 

Sounds easy......can you attach notes to the pin? haven't done it....don't know

 

---

notes and pictures

 

Why don't you do it the old fashioned, hard copy way. Buy the Camps 5 map book, find a place, mark it, and keep notes. Or, get a GPS and record your "dreams" there, so when you're ready to go you can just plug into your tug and follow your nose and the GPS's instructions. Or as said before, Google a map. It's really quite easy. Have fun with you plans, and more fun when they happen.

A few years back I used Google maps (Google earth may well be a better option, haven't tried it) to come up with the result shown below which I printed (A4) and put into a photo album.  I also created some collages of the photos using Photoshop Elements..... sample also below....  The "waypoints" shown on the map were referenced to a brief travel log also included in the photo album.

One of these days I'll get around to doing this again with some of my other trips.

Wow Jim, thats a beautiful way to make a diary...I hope I can develop those skills!! 

I think what kantiki might mean  and i'm wondering is.....   can you make those pins hold an eclectic bunch of information pulled in from various sources as a guide to when you might go there.  So that when you click on the pin it will pull up a whole bunch of stuff to see and do .
  Thanks   :)

I'm with Jim,

                     Google maps allow you to plan a trip .
Just enter in,   From and To and it does the rest.
Then you can simply drag a way point from one place to another and google will replot via that waypoint giving both distance and time.
  I suggest you have a look and play round with it.
It is a fun way to plan a trip.
Once done I enter it all into my hema navigator and just follow the prompts so to speak.

-- Edited by Onedodger on Monday 22nd of February 2010 02:44:25 PM

This suggestion is similar to Jim's using "Google maps"
Go to Google maps and then click on My Maps.
You will see a video clip that gives you a step by step method to "create or share your own map.
The example used is a walking tour of a city in USA but you can use any map that you want.
To select the map you want simply type a location eg Canberra, in the search box to get the map you want and then follow instructions and save as an electronic copy.
You can make the map the size you want by scrolling or zooming in or out
Cheers
Doug

Thanks everyone for your help.! 
   OK, I've got the Google "My Maps " thing sorted,...... now here's a question!...Is it possible to link a pin I create on my map to  saved websites in my favourites file? like ....an article about a violin maker in an Italian town which I've found , linked to a pin on that town....for example? so if I click on the pin the article(s)will come up? That would be excellent if its possible... Cheers   Denise

Hi Denise,
If you are in "Google Maps" and have clicked on My Maps (you will see this in blue) and have the video clip "How to create a my map .....etc", play this if you haven't done so already. Click the little box with the four arrows in the corners for a full screen view of the video.
Then under the video clip box you will see "You can also brouse a directory of interactive content to add to your map.
Pass cursor over the blue bit and click when you get the hand icon.
This will take you to a link that explains how you can add lots of "goodies" to your map - very impressive stuff.
Also you you can click on "Brouse a directory"
Also click on "Learn more" This will take you to "getting started with My Maps.
If this gets a bit confusing put this address http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=68480  in your google search box and it will take you to step by step instructions.
This may seem a little daunting at first but if you perservere you will be pleased with yourself when you succeed.
It is difficult to add links to your pins unless you know HTML (a computer language for web sites) but you can learn how to add your own text, photo's and even video to your map from the link above.
I hope I have helped - don't be afraid to give it a go.
Cheers
Doug
P.S. You may find it easier to have both your map and the lessons open in seperate tabs - then you can read the instructions and then click on your map and do what the instructions say. (Use open in new tab command) 

Thats really great  detailed info Doug...thanks heaps.
   I guess the easiest way then is to make a note on the pin giving the favourites ref....or a short version. I tried html a longtime ago but don't want that level of complexity really.  I think I"ll work out something with what you've explained ..thanks very much !  Cheers  Denise

Kantiki, it's intended for cyclists rather than caravanners, but I'd recommend you have a look at www.bikely.com The 'create route' feature there is based on Google Maps, and it allows you to maintain a 'work in progress' route. In addition to the features mentioned above (commented waypoints etc) it can also report on the climbing/descent involved in the trip.

thanks for the hints guys, had a quick look at Google maps today, but Im hoping to spend a bit of time on the weekend. Cant wait. Ill let you know how it turns out.