Development of hiking and navigation app for hiking trails throughout Australia. 

Trail overviews, GPX files, weather, photos and more.

Trail Hiking is a website that was established as a hobby by me, Darren Edwards, in 2015 to further the development and promotion of hiking trails throughout Australia. My site currently offers detailed information on hiking trails primarily throughout Victoria, including trail descriptions, key features, pictures, maps, gpx files, elevation profiles and more. Additionally, the site is organised to make it easier for hikers to compare and choose trails that best suit their hiking preferences. Before the launch of Trail Hiking, hikers had difficulty finding detailed web-based trail information. Most existing sites list only a handful of the most popular trails, and provide only limited information without regard to individual hikers’ skill level or preferences.

I am passionate about trail hiking and my aims are to:

• Make it easier for Australian residents and visitors to find quality web-based information on hiking trails.
• Be a central source of information regarding all things trails including trails, gear, safety and planning.
• Connect adventurers with each other and encourage community to try a trail and “discover a new adventure!”
• Put Australia on the map as a trails destination.
• The addition of trails to the website is an ongoing process. We are well on the way, but have a way to go before all Australia’s trails are up on the website

My goal is for Trail Hiking to become the most comprehensive source for free information on hiking trails throughout Australia, including gear reviews, helpful tips and planning advice. In order to do this I am seeking your support top expand the site and develop a Trail Hiking and navigation app.

Trail Hiking App

In order to enhance my existing Trail Hiking website (www.trailhiking.com.au) and to help grow this into a dynamic tool that promotes all Australian trails I am wanting to develop a mobile trail hiking app that will include the following features.

• Guides to trails including photos, trail notes, and GPX files
• Synchronisation with www.trailhiking.com.au 
• View topographic maps
• Add geotagged photos 
• Plan routes and trips 
• Stats tracking (elevation, distance and speed) Users can record their hikes and tracks for others to view via the app and website and follow via social sharing
• Location based weather updates 
• Compass for navigation 
• Push notifications
• Deployment via iOS, Android and web app

Developer

I have selected a development partner who we have been utilising over the past 4 years for development of mobile apps for our clients (via our design business). As this is NOT a commercial project we will be developing this app outside of our usual field of employment and as such are seeking funding to cover the following project costs.

I hope you can support me in this community focussed initiative

Regards

Darren Edwards

Project Costs

Our estimated project costs are as follows:

• Native app development: $40,000 AUD
• Annual maintenance of app and website: $4000 AUD
• Annual hosting of app admin portal and website: $500 AUD
• Kickstarter fees and taxes: $5,000 AUD

TOTAL PROJECT COST: $49,500 AUD

Risks and challenges

My background is in graphic design, website design and mobile technology development. We have an existing team of developers and designers who will ensure that this project is developed to the highest standard both from a coding and user interface perspective.

As the website www.trailhiking.com.au is already in existence and contains the bulk of the information that will reside in the app we don't foresee any risks for this project. The scope of works has been defined, budget estimates prepared, timelines developed and the development team selected.

We are ready to get started.