The Tracks App/Hub - HELP

Before you start collecting data, you must setup The Tracks App.

In the Settings section, you can select your PROJECT where you will find your RANGER GROUP. If you cannot find your RANGER GROUP then you have not been registered. Please contact the Indigenous Desert Alliance to be registered with Tracking Australia so you can use The Tracks App.

You should then choose the language you want to use the App in when you are out on Country, e.g. English or Warlpiri.

Planning your Tracking surveys.

In The Tracks Hub, you will find resources to help you conduct surveys, including a step-by-step guide for using The Tracks App.

The Tracks App has a Practice Tracking tab that allows you to move through the Aapp as if you were collecting data without actually collecting any. Use this to learn before you go out in the field to conduct surveys and learn what you are meant to record. Learn what the words mean, in English or in the available Indigenous languages.

Aside from knowing how to use the App you should also be prepared in other ways. Things to consider when first planning the surveys are:


  • What is the purpose of the surveys, are you looking for a special animal or just seeing what is there?

  • If you are looking for a special animal, what type of country do you need to find?

  • Review and practice your animal tracks, go out to a sandy area and practice, practice.

  • Do you have permission/permits from Traditional Owners and other custodians, and any other land managers to be on Country?


Heading out to Track


Just as you would not leave on a field trip without filling your vehicle with fuel, or not take water, food or a first aid kit, there are some things that need to be done before leaving home to make a Tracking trip successful, these include:

  • New trackers should practice track identification before collecting data in The Tracks App. Expert Trackers should be sought out to provide training in track identification. Training materials are available in the resources section of The Tracks Hub.
  • How will you navigate to your survey location? Install the correct maps and waypoints on your device and have people who know the area with you.

  • Check and charge your equipment - Apps downloaded, updated, cords, battery packs, car chargers, can you use it properly?

  • Take any books and guides that you may need, track identification books etc. Details will be available in the Resources area of The Tracks Hub.

    • As with any other field trip make sure you follow your organisationís policies and procedures and always act is a safe manner.

Fieldwork Tasks

Each 2ha trackplot involves Trackers recording tracks and other sign of animals of interest. Trackers need to have experience in reading sign and have had training in the use of The Tracks App. Do not use trackplots to train people in reading signs. Usually, trackplots are best conducted some way off roads as roads are used by predators, which may mean there are less animals of interest closer to roads.

At the selected site, talk about where the tracking will be done:


  • Type of Country

  • Trackability

  • Take the Country photo

These can be changed as you go along or after the trackplot is finished.

When you are ready, spread out and walk through the 2 ha trackplot recording animal sign as you go. Record:


  • Animal Species

  • Type of Sign

  • Age of Sign

  • Age of Animal


Trackers could call out each animal sign to the lead tracker with The Tracks App or write down the animal sign they have seen on a piece of card and all combine together at the end. You can take a photo of the Animal or its sign if you want and if you have a camera. Try to include a pen to show size and even point the pen in the direction of travel. See the Resource section in The Tracks Hub for some materials to use.

Finishing your Tracks

After each trackplot make sure you press SUBMIT. This will put it in the REVIEW tracks section.

It will stay in the REVIEW tracks section until you reach Wi-Fi connection when it will be uploaded automatically from The Tracks App to The Tracks Hub. Make sure you have reviewed your track plots and made sure there are no mistakes or that anything has been left out.

If your office does not have Wi-Fi you can upload your data to The Tracks Hub manually.

Where does the data go?

Information collected in The Tracks App may be made available to the public. To start with, only your Ranger Group will be able to view the data. You can prevent the data from being made public for a period of one year. Every year you can increase this period. In addition, sensitive species as determined by your state or territory government are also restricted. By sharing this information the public will learn more about animals found in remote parts of Australia and the skills and knowledge of Aboriginal people. Government and Researchers may use the information to study different animals and how they are affected by change in such things as climate, fire, weeds, and/or feral animals. Ranger Groups retain ownership and copyright of the data they collect, and must be acknowledged for their work.