Map References

Short version

AMG - grid references used on old series NSW 1:25000 maps

MGA - grid references used on new series NSW 1:25000 maps (the ones with the photo on the back)

Skip to the conversion method if you don't want to read the long version

Long version

The map references on the pages in this site are prefixed by either AMG or MGA. These refer to the two coordinate systems on the 1:25000 series maps used by bushwalkers in NSW. These maps are now produced by the Department of Lands, formerly LPI - Land and Property Information, formerly LIC (Land Information Centre), and before that CMA (Commonwealth Mapping Authority), which are the names you will probably see printed on your maps.

A coordinate system translates geographic coordinates (eg latitude/longitude) to cartesian coordinates (X/Y or Eastings/Northings). AMG refers to the Australian Map Grid 1966/1984, which was used to produce all of the old series maps.  MGA refers to the Map Grid of Australia 1994, which is being used to produce the new series maps (with photo map on the back).

The two different map grids are based on different datums. A datum is the mathematical model of the earth, and the map grid is a projection of this into cartesian coordinates. The Australian Map Grid is based on a Universal Transverse Mercator projection of the Australian Geodetic Datum 1966. The Map Grid of Australia 1994 is based on a Universal Transverse Mercator projection of the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994. The advantage of using the new datum is that it is what is used for the GPS (Global Positioning System), and hence is more compatible worldwide.

There is a difference between the two datums which means that co-ordinates based on a projection of one datum need to be converted before they can be used in the other. Luckily, for bushwalking purposes, a reasonably simple conversion will suffice for most purposes.

Converting grid references

If you have a 6-figure grid reference from an old series map but are using a new series map (ie converting AMG to MGA) then

• increase the eastings by 1 and the northings by 2; or equally
• add 1 to the first 3 digits and 2 to the second 3 digits

If you have a 6-figure grid reference from a new series map but are using an old series map (ie converting MGA to AMG) then

• decrease the eastings by 1 and the northings by 2; or equally
• subtract 1 from the first 3 digits and 2 from the second 3 digits

As an example, AMG553874 becomes MGA554876.

In the map sections below, you can see how the Medlow Bath trig point (highlighted in red) has moved north and east when moving from the 2nd edition (AMG) map to the 3rd edition (MGA) map of Katoomba

You will find that the new series maps have both coordinate systems printed on the sides, the AMG coordinates in blue, and the MGA ones in black. For this reason, most coordinates on this site will be AMG, until the majority of maps are updated.

2nd edition (old series) Katoomba sheet (AMG)	3rd edition (new series) Katoomba sheet (MGA)

Tom Brennan : website@ozultimate.com : updated 2007-05-24