On Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:26:28 +0200, C. B. wrote:

>I must be missing something. Why does everybody in Australia want to use

>Nearmap? Surely Google didn't abandon Australia?


Whilst there've been other answers, the reason I use and link to nearmap for Melbourne locales because nearmap is far more up-to-date, has clearer images, and allows you to "step back in time" to see changes occurring at a given location (use the green dots in the toolbar at the top of the image).

Compare the pair:
http://trams.steam4me.net/images/docklands_drive_nearmap.jpg
http://trams.steam4me.net/images/docklands_drive_google_maps.jpg

The google maps image had to be taken before 16 April 2010 (when stepping back through the nearmap dates).

The nearmap image shows the completed new junction and lines running up Footscray Road.

Cheers

Yuri.