Driving in the Australian Outback – Survival Guide

ClickTravelTips
ClickTravelTips 5 Min Read

If you are thinking about going on an adventurous trip, you should opt for driving along the Australian outback. You are keen on adrenaline-driven rides, you’re up for a new adventure, maybe you got an emergency case or you are just one of those awesome guys who love driving for thousands of miles across the desert. Whatever your reason for embarking on this unsurpassed journey is, you must be aware of the key things before you start off your extraordinary driving experience. All in all, you should get your vehicle prepared for those road conditions.

Get Prepared for the Trip of Your Life-Time

Australian Outback 4x4You will be lucky to discover the well-maintained unsealed roads of the Australian outback. Because of the numerous touristic attractions, the roads are well taken of so driving your 4×4 should not be problematic. However, be careful about the weather. Regardless of the good road conditions, rain causes washouts and creeks can flood the road. What you should do is check the weather forecast and be prepared to face these conditions.

Be sure to have proper directions to the destination you would like to visit. It is of the utmost importance to have a detailed and an up-to-date map you can rely on. If you are not sure which roads to take, ask the locals. They will tell you all about the potential hazards you can experience while on a drive like that.

Do Not Be Alone Throughout This Experience

In order to avoid the trouble, you should have a company while you are driving in the Australian Outback. If you have some friends interested in an adventure like this, ask them to accompany you in their vehicles. Even though you might not have any friends interested in joining you, do ask them to communicate with you – tell them where you are heading to and when you are supposed to arrive so they can check up on you.

Equipment Matters

When it comes to embarking on such an exquisite journey you need to make sure all of your equipment is in good condition. Check out your engine and brakes first. But, do not miss finding perfect tyres for some more extreme road conditions. If you’re looking to browse through a more detailed catalogue of tyres and look for further information, visit Tyre Right.

Bring Your Own Food, Drinks and Medication

Australia is the driest continent in the world. Not only will you need the water to keep your body running smoothly, but your car needs it too. Drink at least 8 cups of water per day and have some extra bottles for every person, and every day of the driving along the Outback.

Bring some healthy snacks in order to avoid fast food. You will need a lot of energy to drive in such conditions so prepare your own healthy snacks beforehand. Choose healthy salads brimming with nuts which will help you stay concentrated. Instead of opting for chocolate, go for chopped fruit and vegetables.

Bring your own medication. Apart from the first aid kit, you should also pack   any medication you might need because you could get in the situation where there won’t be any pharmacy for miles. Learn how to treat a snake bite.

Be Aware of the Wildlife

The outback is bursting with wildlife. Avoid driving in the dusk and dawn as those are the most dangerous times. Whichever animal you see you should slow down. Even if the animal is not faced towards you, it might quickly turn around and get under your wheels. There are locusts which show up in large amounts and are notorious for being able to clog up the radiator quickly. Stop from time to time and keep an eye on the engine temperature.

Driving in the Australian Outback is an adrenaline-struck adventure which can be the best experience of your life, but you need to be well-acquainted with the road conditions before starting your journey. Make sure you have a good equipment and someone who can check on you, and who you can inform about your aims, and you will be good to go.

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