Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHEN TO GO
April/May and September/October have sunny days (coolish
in May, hot in Oct). Winter (that's June-Aug) means mild temperatures with
cold nights. Summer (Nov-Mar) is ferociously hot and best avoided. In summer,
limit exertions to early morning and late afternoon, and choose air-conditioned
accommodations. Rain is rare but can come at any time of year.
DRIVING TIPS
The
Automobile Association of the Northern Territory
(AANT),
79-81 Smith St., Darwin, NT 0800 (
&
08/8981 3837
), offers emer-
gency breakdown service to members of affiliated overseas automobile associa-
tions and dispenses maps and advice. It has no office in the Red Centre. For
road conditions
, call
&
1800/246 199
in Australia for a recorded report.
Only a handful of highways and arterial roads are sealed (paved) roads in the
Northern Territory. A conventional two-wheel-drive car will get you to 95% of
all you want to see, but consider renting a four-wheel-drive for complete free-
dom. All the big car-rental chains rent them. Some attractions are on unpaved
roads good enough for a two-wheel-drive car, but your car-rental company will
not insure a two-wheel-drive for driving on them.
Outside settled areas, the Territory has no speed limit, but before you hit the
gas, consider the risk of hitting wild camels, kangaroos, and protected native
wildlife. Locals stick to a comfortable 120kmph (75 mph) or less. Avoid driving
at night, early morning, and late afternoon when 'roos feed; beware of cattle lying
down on the warm bitumen at night. A white road sign bearing a black circle
outline crossed by a diagonal black line indicates the point when speed restric-
tions no longer apply. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before setting out.
Road trains (trucks hauling more than one container) and fatigue caused
by driving long distances are two other major threats. For details on safe driv-
ing, review the tips in the “By Car” section of “Getting Around Australia,” in
chapter 2.
If you plan to “go bush” in remote regions not covered by this guide, you may
need a permit to cross Aboriginal land from the relevant Aboriginal lands coun-
cil. This can be a drawn-out bureaucratic affair taking weeks, so plan ahead. The
Northern Territory Tourist Commission (see “Visitor Information,” above) can
put you in touch with the appropriate council. All good road maps mark Abo-
riginal lands clearly.
OTHER TRAVEL TIPS Always carry drinking water.
When hiking, carry
4 liters (about a gallon) per person per day in winter, and a liter (
1
⁄
4
gal.) per per-
son per hour in summer. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, high-factor sunscreen
lotion, and insect repellent.
Bring warm clothing for chilly evenings in winter.
TOUR OPERATORS
Numerous coach, minicoach, and four-wheel-drive
tour operators run tours taking in Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru.
They depart either Alice Springs or Uluru, offering accommodations ranging
Buzz Off!
Uluru is notorious for plagues of flies in summer. Don't be embarrassed
to cover your head with the fly nets sold in souvenir stores—you'll look
like the Dreamtime Beekeeper from Outer Space, but there will be “no
flies on you, mate,” an Aussie way of saying you are doing the right
thing.
Tips
