The Postcode distance table is ideal for Internet web services relating customer query to find nearest postcode and dealer locations to cover all of Australia. For example: Create "Find Nearest" page, add a field to "Enter your postcode", add a "Go" button. You can then use the entered postcode to lookup against your list of dealer location postcodes to find the nearest dealer name and address which you can then promptly return to the user.
 Latest version - 5th November 2009
The table containing all the postcode distance records is created by calculating the distance of every postcode to every other postcode. There are 2 versions of the Postcode Distance Table...
1. Postcode Distance Table -
Straight Line
For both Australia and New Zealand (USA and UK to come)
Uses straight line distances from postcode centre to postcode centre. The straight line version is ideal for tight budget applications where basic sorting is the main criteria.
2. Postcode Distance Table -
Metro By Road
 Uses distances by major road from postcode centre to postcode centre where both postcodes are within major metro area and uses straight line distance elsewhere.
The by-road distance version is ideal for more demanding situations where accurately selecting only those locations within true travel distance of the search location is required.
The by-road version takes into account all and multiple harbour and bay crossings and other transport restrictions that exist between any 2 locations.
The product comprises a set of records ideal for direct use in a database system - no complicated 3rd party software licences or costs - you use your own familiar and compatible tools.
Data Table Format & Samples
A sample of the table record contents are as below. The postcode pair is unique with the distance between them in the 3rd column. All distances are in whole kilometres between the centre of each postcode.
The format of the records is identical for either version, it is just the distance column that differs in actual value.
2000,2006,3
2000,2007,2
 2000,2008,3
2000,2009,1
2000,2010,2
2000,2011,1
2000,2015,5
2000,2016,3
2000,2017,4
2000,2018,7
2000,2019,10
All special postcodes, such as GPO Boxes and others, are included so every valid Australian Postcode exists in the table to cover every circumstance.
Sample Tables
A sample of records, from a previous release, is available in .CSV format for free download and testing. The full product comprises an 85Mb file in .CSV format with over 5 Milllion records and is downloadable as a 20Mb .ZIP file on purchase.
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