Google Maps Guide
Many people would be familiar with using satellite navigation systems in their cars, and increasingly on their smart phones as well. One of the leading applications for online and smart phone navigation is from the biggest name in search engines, Google. Google Maps offers you the ability to search for both map and photo images for almost any place in Australia. You are able to get directions to and from your location, via car or on foot, including estimated travel time.
The homepage can be accessed here. To begin, type in the business, address or landmark that you are looking for in the search bar at the top of the page and click on "Search Maps". It is a good idea to include as much information as possible when entering information so that you can narrow the search as much as possible. For example, type in "Richmond Station, Victoria" or "Richmond Station, NSW" depending on which station you are looking for rather than simply typing in "Richmond Station". Google Maps may display a map of the likely location you are looking for, and you can click on a number of options to the left of the page to confirm which location you would like to look at. An example of this search is provided below.
Once you have the correct map displayed, there are a number of further possibilities available to you:
- Click on the "Satellite" tab in the top right corner of the main image. This will switch the image from a map view to a satellite photograph view of the location.
- In either the map or satellite photograph view, you can zoom in on the image for a closer look by clicking on the "+" button in the top left of the main image. Clicking on the "-" button at the bottom of the ruler will cause the image to zoom out. You can also drag the slider button up and down the ruler or use the trackball on your mouse to zoom in and out of the main image.
- One of the most helpful features of Google Maps is its ability to provide directions. Click on "Get directions" in the information bubble in the middle of the main image. Depending on your needs, click on "To here" or "From here", and then enter the starting address or the ending address in the search box and click on "Go". The main image will now show you a suggested route from one address to another. Directions are given to the left of the main image, and you can click on the camera icon after each direction to go to the street level image for that location. Click on "Add Destination" above the directions, enter a new location if you would like to plot more points on your journey.
- The 'Search nearby" link in the information bubble allows you to look for places near the location. Click on the link and enter phrases such as "Thai restaurants" or "banks" to find what you are looking for.
- For an even closer view of the location, click on the orange person at the top of the ruler to the left of the main image. This will take you to photographic imagery of the location from street level. You can double click on a section of the image to zoom in and click on the left and right arrows at the bottom of the image to move up or down a street. Click your right mouse button and select zoom out on the menu to zoom out or exit from the street level image. This feature is very useful when you are researching a place you have never been to before but need to visit as the images from street level will help you find your way around the area.
- To move around the centre of any of the map, satellite photograph or street level images, click and hold down the left mouse button to drag up and down or left and right.
Questions? Comments?
Are you a user of Google Maps? Would you like to be, but have some questions first? Want to talk about the good and the bad about Google Maps? Would you like to share interesting things you have found using Google Maps?
Join the community discussing Google Maps on our forum here.
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