Here’s another really useful tip for your navigation ‘tool box’.
Imagine: you’re navigating cross-country, using map and compass, to the track where you parked your car. But upon reaching the track, the car’s not in sight. Which way should you turn – left or right? This dilemma is easily avoided by deliberately setting a bearing that will under-shoot or over-shoot your car’s position. If you aim off to the right, you’ll turn left when you reach the track; if you aim off to the left, you’ll turn right at the track. Done! This technique works equally well if you’re aiming for a point on any linear feature such as a river or coastline.
Take a look at the Bushwalking Manual for diagrams and other handy navigation techniques.