Go anywhere with Google Maps
22 Nov 2012
Google Maps makes navigating a whole lot easier with clear, concise directions at your fingertips.
Google Maps is an interactive online road atlas, offering searchable worldwide maps.
You can view Google Maps in two main forms: an illustration, which looks like a street directory, or a satellite image, a photograph of the area with streets highlighted.
Google Maps is available in a number of different forms. It can be accessed directly from the Google website, as an app on most smartphones and customised maps can be found on some websites. If you are unfamiliar with Google Maps the Good website is a good place to start.
Searching Google Maps
To search, click on the search bar, type in the location you are looking for, then click on the magnifying glass to the right.
You can be as general or as specific with your search terms as you like – a specific street address, a suburb, a postcode, a state or a country. If you are using a more general search like a suburb, it helps to put in the state and country, too, as there is often more than one place with the same name.
When your search matches more than one location, a list will appear on the left hand side. Click on the pin beside the placename you are looking for and that pin will become more prominent on the map.
If you want to find a tourist destination, like the Eiffel Tower, but you don’t know the street address, just type in the name. The same goes for prominent businesses or landmarks.
How to control Google Maps
On the left-hand side of the map is a ruler with a plus sign at the top and a minus sign at the bottom. Clicking on the plus will zoom in and clicking on the minus will zoom out.
To move to another area on the map simply click anywhere on the map and drag it around. Click the box in the top right-hand corner which says ‘Map’ or ‘Satellite’ to view the different versions of the map.
How to get directions
On the left-hand side directly below the Google Maps logo you will find a button labelled ‘Get Directions’. Click on this tab and enter the locations you wish to travel to and from, then click ‘Get Directions’.
In Australia you can choose between travelling by car and on foot by clicking the picture of the car or of the person. If you happen to be travelling through Europe or America, you can also choose to travel by public transport or bicycle.
Multiple destinations
When you are getting directions from Google Maps it is possible to include more than one destination.
Once you have typed in your start point and one destination, click the ‘Add Destination’ button, found directly below the destination text box.
You can add destinations and you can rearrange the order they’re in. Just click on the letter beside a destination and drag it up or down in the list.
Google Maps will update the directions, distance and travel time to take into account the changes.
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