The Best Apps for Outdoor Adventuring & Overseas Travel

Want to know the name of ~that~ song? There’s an app for that.

Keep all your passwords secure in one spot? There’s an app for that too.

Decipher the meaning of your horoscope? The meaning of ~their~ horoscope?!

Yep. Apps.

With so many that make outdoor and overseas travels safer, easier, more interactive, and enjoyable too – it can be difficult to distinguish between those you’ll grow to rely on, and those you just won’t use.

Tag your luggage, lock your baggage, take a seat, and tap that app open – because these are the Snowys-approved outdoor and travel apps that will be the most useful on your next adventure!

Outdoor Adventuring

1. WikiCamps Australia

To prevent rocking up at a campsite and finding it costs a bomb, doesn’t have a shower, or isn’t pet-friendly – the WikiCamps app allows you to obtain the info you need in advance.

This app is basically a database updated by fellow campers and adventurers to provide information on campgrounds, backpacker hostels, caravan parks, public dump points, toilets, and information centres. It has thousands of sites that you can browse to find that perfect, secluded spot for your next trip.

WikiCamps is available for iOS, Android and Windows, with filters that help in determining which campsite will suit. Plus, it can be used offline at any time – brilliant for when you’re travelling remotely.

WikiCamps costs a one-off fee, but is an excellent investment – whether you’re a casual weekend camper, or planning the adventure of a lifetime.

With WikiCamps, finding the perfect campsite is as easy as scrolling through your phone.

2. First Aid by Australian Red Cross

For up to date first aid information, the Australian Red Cross First Aid App is the one you can trust. This app gives details on how to handle common first aid emergencies that you might encounter. Available on Android or iOS, each step is displayed for you with the option of interactive advice. While you should always carry a PLB to alert the authorities in emergencies, having this knowledge will give peace of mind when you’re in a sticky situation.

Downloading a fire safety or public safety app for your state is also very important. They enable you to receive emergency alerts, keeping you safe and informed on any bushfires that may flare up in the area.

Refresh your knowledge and view first aid instructions when you need them.

3. Gas Finder

When your supply is running low in the middle of a camping trip, don’t fret – Gas Finder will guide you to the cheapest refill! This app is free to download, with iOS, Android and Windows versions available.

Gas Finder was created by the same group as WikiCamps, allowing you to locate the nearest refill location as well as identify prices for both swap and standard sized 9kg and 4.5kg bottles.

The prices listed have a date, so you can see how recent they are – and you can even update them so that other users can save some extra cash too!

4. Avenza Maps

You won’t always have Wi-Fi access when off the grid, which is why an offline map viewer such as Avenza Maps is a must.

This app is available as a free download, and while some of the maps are without cost there is a small fee for others. Available in the store are topographic, tourist, and recreation maps. As they don’t require the internet, you can use your maps anytime you like once downloaded.

The existing GPS in your phone will allow you to locate yourself on any map, and you can record where you are with placemarks.

Navigate when you’re out of range with Avenza Maps.

5. Strava Running and Cycling GPS

Strava is basically a social network for outdoorsy people… but instead of sharing memes and snaps of your dog, you can record and share highlights of your runs or rides with your mates.

Track your activities while viewing all of your stats, like speed and distance – plus, monitor how you performed on different sub-sections. This app is also compatible with many GPS watches and other activity trackers – bonus!

Strava has an easy-to-use interface, so you can get the hang of it pretty quickly!

Track your progress and see how your mates fared, with Strava.

6. WillyWeather or BOM

There are so many weather apps to choose from, but all of them use the same information provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. We’ve established two options to choose from, both free to download.

WillyWeather is functional, easy to use, and offers added detail – such as BOM satellite and radar, plus rain, tide, UV, and wind forecasts. The app also provides information on sunrise and sunset times, and the moon phases – having it better suited to outdoor activities, such as hiking.

BOM Weather offers all its weather stats on one screen, allowing you to promptly bring up the day’s forecast without first opening a menu. This app is better for everyday use, for those quick snapshots of the weather at a glance.

WillyWeather offers detail and easy-to-use functionality.

7. FuelMap Australia

Fuel Map is a free, crowd-sourced database that displays a map of all the petrol stations around Australia, with user-updated fuel prices.

Not only is this amazing for finding the best-priced fuel in your area on a weekly basis, but really useful for planning your refuelling schedule for your next trip away. FuelMap is free to download too, so it’s definitely not a waste of phone space!

Find both the closest and best deals on fuel!

8. SkyView

Fancy some stargazing on your next trip away? You’ll be an amateur astronomer in no time, with help from the SkyView app.

It’s free, available for Android and iOS, and can be used without WiFi – just point your device at the sky and it will show you where the stars, galaxies, constellations, sun, moon, and satellites are from your viewpoint. For a bit of fun insight into the other side of the world, you can also direct your device towards the ground.

View the sky at different times using the time travel feature, and capture images to share with your family and friends. Plus, it comes with red and green filters to preserve your night vision.

Learn more about the stars with SkyView.

9. LeafSnap

Ever come across a plant or flower on your travels that’s left you scratching your head? LeafSnap will help you figure out exactly what it is!

With the ability to recognise 90% of known species of trees and plant, simply take a photo of the plant, and the app will identify it for you. It’s available for iOS and Android and, initially, it offers a free trial. After that, you have the option to pay a 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month subscription.

With a plant database that’s constantly being updated, there’s every opportunity to learn and discover more about nature around you on your off-grid explorations.

10. Hema Explorer Australia

Adventure offline around Australia on your next 4WD touring, caravanning, or camping expedition with the Hema Explorer Australia App.

Without mobile coverage, you can navigate offline using multi-scale topographic mapping, and obtain a route to your point of interest, address, or waypoint. This app also allows you the save a lock of your trip and share the details online with your loved ones. Available for both iOS and Android, there is a purchase fee involved and the option for additional access with a Pro subscription.

A free option for 4WDers is also Newtracs; a real-time, crowd-sourced app available to download on iOS and Android that provides information on 4×4 track conditions – including length, warnings, difficulties, time, and speed of travel. It also has a logging feature, vector maps for offline use, and a breadcrumb feature in case you get lost.

Adventure offline with Hema Explorer.

Overseas Travel

1. Skyscanner / Expedia

Who doesn’t want the best deal on flights, hotels, and car hire? If you’re hoping to save some money when booking your trip, Skyscanner is a must. For a last-minute hotel, this app will find you the best prices so you don’t have to pay through the nose. Set it up to give you price change alerts too.

This app is completely free, so worth a download when planning your next holiday!

Expedia is a similar app that allows you to find deals on hotels, flights, and activities. The benefit of using the web version of the app is that you receive double the points when you book, mobile-exclusive deals, and alerts when your flight become delayed.

For a last-minute hotel, this app will find you the best prices so you don’t have to pay through the nose.

2. Citymapper

This award-winning app is probably the most useful of the bunch, especially when exploring a new city by foot or public transport.

On Citymapper, you can find the quickest route to your destination of all the transport modes available. This could include a combination of train, car share, taxi, bus, train, or on foot. It’ll also provide easy step-by-step directions, and send alerts if a line is disrupted.

The app covers cities in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Check which are covered here.

Find the quickest route to your destination of all the transport modes available.

3. Duolingo

Duolingo is a handy little app that can be used in the lead-up to your holiday to brush up on the local language.

Forget miming, pointing, and gesturing in an attempt to order your dinner – this app provides the lessons to build your reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills, designed to feel like a game. This keeps them fun, and therefore maintains the motivation to learn.

An easy-to-use tool to help you make friends with the locals, or as self-development if you’re intending to pick up a new language – it’s also completely free, so all there is to invest is your time and dedication.

This app provides the lessons to build your reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills.

4. App in the Air

Are you the kind of person who sits down to have a cup of tea – and before you know it, 20 minutes have passed, you’re late for work… and you’re not sure how it happened?

If time management isn’t your strong suit, App in the Air will help you monitor and keep on top of your flight schedule.

App in the Air splits your flight schedule into a timeline that covers check-in, boarding, take-off, and landing. Each stage has a countdown, indicating exactly how much time is left – so you’ll never miscalculate. It will also notify of delays, or a change in your timetable.

Free to download, this app can be accessed when offline too.

Monitor and stay on top of your flight schedule.

5. TripIt

Nobody likes scrolling through 5 pages of mail to copy and paste all confirmation emails into a readable itinerary. If thinking about schedules turns your brain to soup, TripIt is the simple (and free) solution!

All you need to do is forward all travel confirmation emails, and the app translates it into a master itinerary – genius! Meanwhile, it’s accessible on all devices – even without Wi-Fi.

Forward all travel confirmation emails, and the app translates it into a master itinerary!

6. XE Currency

You may already be familiar with XE Currency if you shop on overseas websites, or monitor the progress of the Aussie dollar. What you might not know is that there’s an app version too!

XE Currency is especially handy if your holiday takes you across several different countries. The app provides live exchange rates and enables you to calculate prices on your phone, so you’re aware of the value of every $AUD you spend. In doing so, you won’t unintentionally rip yourself off when buying souvenirs, or deciding what to eat for lunch.

The free version includes ads, while the ‘pro’ version (third party, ad-free) comes with a small cost.

XE Currency provides live exchange rates and enables you to calculate prices on your phone.

7. Prey: Find My Phone Tracker GPS

This is an anti-theft app that provides peace of mind on your trip away.

Free of charge, this app allows you to locate and protect your phone or tablet by having the location setup zones alert you if your device moves out of a particular area. You can also alert the current user by displaying a message on the screen.

Prey is also super handy to have when you’re not travelling – you never know when you might run into a spot of bad luck!

Free of charge, this app allows you to locate and protect your phone or tablet.

8. Airbnb

If the thought of staying in an overpriced, overrated hotel, or a dodgy hostel doesn’t tickle your fancy – there’s always the option to use Airbnb.

Airbnb is fast becoming one of the most recognised and used accommodation sites/apps. Airbnb allows you to search for a house, apartment, loft, cottage, or castle (yes, a castle) to stay in, and there’s something for all budgets. You can also search for and book experiences, plus find info on local-approved secret spots, bars, and restaurants.

If you’re the type of person who likes to immerse themselves in the culture of a city or country, staying in an Airbnb will be your cup of tea.

Search for and book experiences, plus local-approved secret spots, bars, and restaurants.

9. Google Translate

Language isn’t everybody’s strong point, and sometimes when overseas there’s not a helpful English-speaking stranger in sight! There’s always the Google Translate app though.

Just insert the text, and gain access to 59 languages – even when you’re offline.

If you’re unable to type characters, simply snap an image and it will translate it for you – as long as it’s one of the languages included. You can even hand draw the character, and the app will translate it from the 93 languages included in this feature.

Insert the text, and gain access to 59 languages – even when you’re offline.

10. Netflix and Other Streaming Services

On your overseas trip, you’ll likely spend a lot of time in airports. If you already own a streaming account with Netflix, it’s worth downloading the mobile version. Download episodes or movies and watch them later – perfect for when you need to pass the time between flights.

Netflix can be streamed in almost 200 countries and territories, which has it a good option for entertainment while travelling overseas. Check out the full list of country availability here.

If you have another streaming service with similar features, it’s likely you can use that instead. Just ensure it can be used internationally ahead of your trip.

Netflix can be streamed in almost 200 countries and territories.

Which outdoor apps do you actually use? What travel apps do you recommend for anyone about to go overseas? Let us know in the comments!