Four Wheel Driving

Australia is one of the best countries to go four wheel driving in. Of course you must still take precautions even with a four wheel drive. Importantly THINK before driving into a situation that you cannot get out of in a hurry.

OUTBACK TRAVEL DON'TS

Don't drive out on salt lakes as usually you end up sinking in a nice deep hole. Don't cross rivers unless you are certain you know what the surface is like, best to walk it first. Always let your tire's out to 15 psi. Also contrary to popular belief when driving on desert or beach soft sand with tires down don't travel like a bat out of hell. If you bog you have a long way to try and get out. If you go slow and get bogged,  then its only a foot to reverse back onto solid. 

Bogged in the sand BE CAREFUL Keep away from cliff edges. Even parked vehicles can suddenly slide away if the soil is loose.  Don't ignore signs on river banks warning of Flooding.  Places that commonly flood often have indicators showing how deep the water is, these can be used to find out whether you can make it across or not.

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Know your Vehicle

First before any trip make sure your vehicle is in good condition. Unless you hire or buy your car from a reputable dealer you should take the car to a mechanic for a good going over before hitting the road. The last thing you want to happen is for the engine to die on you when you're in a remote area.

Motoring in the Outback

Motoring on Australia's highways is much like travelling on the main road systems in other parts of the world - until you get into the really remote areas. Maps may show National highways that look the same as, say, coastal highways in built up areas. However they are not, and that's why it's so necessary to be prepared for outback travelling. Of course, many of the highways in even the very remote areas are of excellent quality, and with service stations every 200 to 300 km there's not much to worry about. Nevertheless, there are some precautions which should never be overlooked before setting off.

• Be sure your vehicle is in roadworthy condition
• Always carry extra water, a spare tyre and a jack

For travel "off the beaten track", follow these extra precautions and take at least the following:

• Two spare tyres
• A tool kit sufficient for minor repairs
• A first aid kit
• A supply of radiator hoses, air-conditioning hoses, fan belts
• Extra fuel
• Warm clothing (for the extremely cold nights in Australian deserts)

• A minimum of 20 litres of water (or 4 litres per person per day)
• Sufficient food for for several days (in case you break down, etc.)
• A map showing fuel stops (if available) or a list of fuel stops and distances
  (State motoring organisations could possibly provide such maps or lists)
• Bushman's anti bite spray (The only 1 that works in the north against the Mozzies and terrible Midges who have put people in hospital with itching.) 

If you're car should happen to break down while driving in the outback, rule #1 is to stay by your car. Someone will eventually come. It can be particularly foolish to walk if it is during the hot summer season.  

Always remember to tell someone before you leave what you plan to achieve whilst off the road, where you hope to go, when you intend to arrive at your destination, etc. If you do not contact that person at the expected time, arrange that they alert authorities (probably the local Police).

When flash floods occur, be wary of trying to cross bridges or causeways - check the depth of the flooding and look for any damage to the roadway itself. Or wait until the flooding abates.

If you find yourself in a dust storm, just stop and wait until it's over.

In the case of breakdown, or if you get lost, under no circumstances leave your vehicle. You'll be much easier to locate if you stay where you are, and remember, you've already let someone know your plans so help should be on the way.

When driving in rural areas, particularly in the Northern Territory where there are no speed limits, drivers should be cautious of free-roaming animals and "road-trains" (several semi-truck trailers hooked together). It is dangerous to pass road-trains,and it is advisable to pull over and allow on-coming road-trains to pass to avoid being sideswiped.

A number of fatalities have also occurred in the Northern Territory when vehicles, driven at high rates of speed, have skidded and overturned after hitting the loose gravel shoulder of the road.
Drivers, especially those inexperienced with 4-wheel drive vehicles, should exercise common-sense judgment when driving in outback Australia.

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