Outback
Travel Info
The Australian Outback offers spectacular scenery and the chance for great adventure. But it is important to be ready for the rigours of travelling in isolated areas.
Unfortunately, up to a quarter of the emergency medical evacuations that the RFDS carries out each year are the result of city travellers who get into trouble on their Outback adventure
There are few places on earth as vast, beautiful, rugged or unforgiving as the Australian outback. Be prepared and cautious before you set out on your outback adventure.
Preparation
get good quality maps and plan your route
be careful of how much you pack on your roof rack; a heavy load on top increases the chances of a roll-over
store water in small containers instead of one large tank; check all water containers for leaks; most towns have water but, at some places, you may not be able to get drinking water; don't rely on waterholes, dams, bores, mills, tanks or troughs; soap or detergents should not be used in any natural watercourse or stock watering point
carry enough food for each person for two days,
bring matches or a lighter
pack a fire extinguisher
get a summary of your medical history and bring all medication and repeat scripts with you
do a first aid course and pack a first aid kit
take a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
wear clothing suitable for the climate; wear good walking shoes; take warmer clothes for the evenings
don't travel in the hottest part of the year
overseas visitors are encouraged to take out adequate travel insurance when travelling in Outback Australia
Anyone who requires emergency services should dial 000 and be prepared to give their location. For those with a smartphone, consider downloading the 'Emergency +' app so you can turn it on when you do need to use 000. Switch off at other times to avoid draining your battery. The app will indicate your longitude and latitude and assist emergency services including the RFDS to find you. This app may work in some areas where there is no mobile voice coverage, but there is data coverage. If you don't have a smartphone, keep an eye on the crossroads as you travel and mark your journey on a map. If travelling to a remote area there may be no mobile coverage so a Satellite phone is a good idea.
The Gascoyne is the size of the UK and is a giant paddock! It’s all pastoral stations and National parks… wide open spaces and the home to many animals!
There is often wildlife on the roads at all times of the day and night.
Creality has a company policy not to drive at night unless it is an emergency.
Have the person in the passenger seat look out for wildlife while you travel.
If you see wildlife:
Brake, don’t swerve.
Stay on the road - if at all possible.
If you see one animal - be alert for others. They often travel in packs! It can be the second kangaroo that hits you, not the first.
Don't swerve for birds
Goats are smart and don't run onto the roads unless they are kids
Emu’s are crazy
Kangaroos are kamikaze and can't jump backwards, (except for the one on the Australian Coat of Arms).
Where there’s cow poo, there are cows! Cows are the trees of the Gascoyne. If you hit one, it could kill you. And that’s NOT your story.
If at night, you see little shiny lights hovering in the middle of the road - that's a COW. Slow down!
If you're tired, pull over, rest, sleep, or do a handstand. One minute of being upside down is roughly the equivalent of ten minutes of sleep. It's all about oxygenating the brain. True!
Micro-naps while driving can kill you or someone else. Please pull over into a roadside parking bay and sleep.
If you do hit an animal
Stop. Look. If it's dead, pull it to the side of the road (but only if it's safe to do so). If it’s really injured, run it over properly. Yes, this is horrific but it's what we do in the outback. A dead animal in the middle of the road is a hazard to other vehicles and animals, specifically Wedge Tail eagles which feast on road kill and inexperienced drivers speeding like demons who overcorrect their steering to avoid road kill.
Other drivers
Always look in your rear view mirror if swerving onto the other side of the road or doing an emergency stop. You'd be amazed how many times there’s suddenly another car overtaking you when you haven't seen one for days!
WAVE at drivers when you pass them! It's rude not to, and it's the outback way of saying, ‘I'm awake at the wheel’, and ‘I will check on you if you’re broken down’. It's just what we do in the Gascoyne!
If you do see someone that has broken down. Slow down. Wind your window down just part of the way. Lock your doors, pull up alongside their car, suss them out. 99% of the time it's a good person in a shit situation. Check they have help on the way. If they do, ask if they have water and snacks. If they don’t share what you can. If they don’t have help on the way note where they are, and get a message to someone as soon as you’re in phone range.
If you don't feel safe doing this - DON'T!
Always trust your gut!
General information for Outback travellers
Aboriginal land
If you are planning to travel through Aboriginal land (other than on designated highways), you must obtain a permit; tour leaders will organise permits for their tours; it is the right of Traditional Owners to refuse entry permits
Sacred Sites
There are a number of places or objects that hold special significance for Aboriginal people; visitors are welcome but respect must be shown for these sites; some are protected by law and there are penalties for trespassing; permit applications and general enquiries must be directed in writing to the relevant Land Council in each State
Truck parking bays
Never park in truck parking bays which are provided exclusively for the use of trucks and road trains; these rigs need room to manoeuvre their trailers and often need to run noisy refrigeration units. Rest areas are provided for regular fatigue breaks and there are camping and caravan parks facilities for overnight stops.
Pets
Dogs and cats cannot be taken into National Parks