When we recently received a few copies of The Quest Maps new series of scratch posters across our desk for a review, Wild’s Editor James and I were initially confused about how we would go about constructing a review about a map! Little did we know what was in store with The Quest Maps.
The Quest Maps is a local family business with a global crew of outdoor lovers and experts in local tracks and trails. The team set out to create a product that captures that ethos, and boy, did they deliver. In a world filled with screens and endless scrolling, “scratch maps” offer a fun, tangible way to rediscover the outdoors. They highlight awesome locations, inspire real adventures, and help you track and celebrate where you’ve been and where you’re going next. They are the perfect gift for the adventure lover in your family – particularly those who enjoy the physical experience of reading Wild Magazine!
What are Quest Maps?
Quest Maps are more than just maps. They are interactive checklists of the best national parks, bike trails and surfing spots across Australia.
Each map is A2 in size, perfect for hanging in your office, work shed or on the wall at home. The maps are illustrated in-house by The Quest Maps team and packed with details to rival the maps from The Lord of the Rings books. I found myself tracing my fingers over the mountains, rivers and valleys, remembering trips I’ve done over the years and dreaming of more.
Each map includes a feature illustration reflecting an element of the region such as the Blue Mountains watering hole on the NSW/ACT version.
The lists included with the maps are pretty comprehensive and hit most of the key highlights I was looking for – the NSW/ACT one for example includes over 120 of the best and most accessible national parks that exist across the region.
The best bit though comes with the “scratch” component of the maps. Checklists are one thing, but the these maps bring you that old school “scratchie” experience of rubbing off the dot for each park or trail you’ve completed. As I went to get started scratching off Sydney Harbour N.P. as my first one, I found myself yelling out to the Adventure Entertainment office “does anyone have a coin?”. Would you believe it – no! It seems coins aren’t such a common thing anymore – fortunately the scratch effect works just as well with a key or bottle opener.
Underneath the National Park scratch areas are cut boot prints to signify the parks you’ve done.
What maps are available?
The National Parks collection we received included a selection of three maps covering NSW/ACT, Queensland and Western Australia. Maps are also available for South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
International maps are being added, with areas in Vietnam and Indonesia currently available on The Quest Maps website.
Quest Maps also offer a comprehensive set of six mountain bike trail maps covering each of the Australian states.
For the surfer in your family, there is a set of six surf maps covering all the key surf breaks from Shipsterns Bluff to Margaret River and beyond.
Finally, there is an option to add neat wooden hangers that attach easily to the maps with magnets and look great on your wall. We had ours hanging within minutes, straight out of the cool illustrated tubes that they arrive in.
Give back with The Quest Maps
To cap it off, The Quest Maps donate a percentage of proceeds from all their sales straight back into the community to support a local and relevant charitable organizations. These are usually grassroots and hard working not-for-profits growing and encouraging participation in the outdoors. They support Surf Life Savers, Youth Outdoor Programmes, local MTB Clubs and many more that they select out of a hat each month.
The Quest Maps are also printed locally, in order to reduce our environmental impact and support the local economies, and packaged in recycled packaging.
If you’re looking for a gift for the adventure lover in your family, look no further than The Quest Maps.
Price: $99.00 AUD (Poster), $50.00 AUD (Frame)
Available From: www.thequestmaps.com
