Outback Facts: Driving in the Outback

• Always carry plenty of water; a first aid kit; a good set of maps; a torch and spare batteries and a compass. Also carry essential tools and spares, including at least two tyres, a tyre pressure gauge and an air pump.
• Load your vehicle evenly, with heavy items inside and light items on the roof rack. The lighter the load, the better your fuel economy and the less likely you are to have tyre wear or get bogged.
• Have your vehicle serviced and checked for mechanical condition before you leave, particularly the cooling system and the tyres. On the road, check the oil level each day, and tyre pressure every couple of days. It's a good idea to inflate your tyres a bit above the recommended maximum, especially if you're fully loaded.
• Check locations and opening times of service stations and carry spare fuel and provisions - fill-ups can be infrequent.
• Check the weather conditions ahead - heavy rain will make many roads impassable when wet.
• Dirt roads are often bone shakingly corrugated. The most comfortable and least dangerous way to deal with these is to keep an even speed. Don't speed on the polished stone gibber plains either or you'll inevitably end up changing your tyres. And remove your hubcaps if you don't want to lose them!
• Take note of the water level markers at creek crossings to gauge the water's depth before you proceed. Steep banks on each side can be a problem.
• If your vehicle is struggling through deep sand, de���ating your tyres a bit will help.
• Collisions with wandering animals can be a real hazard. Hit the brakes and only swerve to avoid animals if it is safe to do so. Avoid travelling at night on the highway.
• Watch out for road trains. These huge trucks can be as long as fifty metres, and you'll need distance and plenty of speed when overtaking. On single-lane roads you need to get right off the road if one approaches, to avoid collision.
• There are roads in central and northern Australia where the official recommendation is that you report your route to the police. That way if you fail to turn up they can send a search party. At the very least, tell a friend or relative of your route and schedule.
• The Automobile Association of the Northern Territory (AANT; 8981 3837) provides an emergency breakdown service. Reciprocal arrangements exist with the state motoring organisations in Australia and similar organisations overseas.
• Mobile phones are often out of range and useless in the outback. An extra safety net is to hire a satellite phone, high frequency (HF) radio or EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). For use only in emergencies, the EPIRB sends out a distress signal allowing rescuers to locate you. Another handy gadget to have is a GPS (Global Positioning System).
• In an emergency, stay with your vehicle - it's easier to spot than you are. But don't sit inside it as it will become an oven. If you need to attract help, start a fire - a burning tyre creates a lot of smoke.