Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trous. Kangaroos are most active around dawn and dusk, and often travel in groups. If
you see one hopping across the road in front of you, slow right down - its friends are
probably just behind it. If one hops out right in front of you, hit the brakes and only swerve
to avoid the animal if it is safe to do so. If possible, avoid travelling at night on the high-
way.
Road Trains
Road trains are a prime mover truck with two or three trailers stretching for
as long as 50m. On dual-lane highways they pose few problems, although you need
some distance and plenty of speed to overtake. On single-lane bitumen roads you should
get right off the road if one approaches. On dirt roads you also need to pull over, and of-
ten stop altogether while you wait for the dust cloud to clear.
Fatigue
Driving long distances (particularly in hot weather) can send you to sleep at the
wheel. On a long haul, stop and rest every two hours or so - stretch, do some exercise,
change drivers or have a coffee.
Hitchers
A couple of incidents in recent years have led to warnings against stopping for
people, or vehicles, on isolated stretches of road - even if they wave you down.
Parking
We've used the parking 'P' icon in this topic only for Sleeping listings in Adelaide
and Darwin, to indicate where parking is available. Elsewhere it's rarely an issue.
OUTBACK DRIVING
Resources
The
RAA
(RAA; 08-8202 4600;
www.raa.net
; 55 Hindmarsh Sq, Adelaide,
SA) and
AANT
(AANT; 08-8925 5901;
www.aant.com.au
;
79-81 Smith St, Darwin, NT)
can advise on preparation, and supply maps and track notes.
Preparations
Apart from being well prepared with spare parts and tyres, plenty of water
(5L per person per day and extra for the radiator) and a basic knowledge of outback driv-
ing (things such as deflating tyres to get through deep sand), an extra safety net is to
carry a high-frequency (HF) radio transceiver or satellite phone to contact Royal Flying
Doctor Service bases, a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and/or an emergency
position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).
Central Comms
( 08-8952 2388;
www.centralcomms.com.au
; cnr Stuart Hwy & Wills Tce, Alice Springs, NT) in Alice
Springs hires out sat phones and EPIRBs for around $100 a week. The big car-hire com-
panies also hire out GPS units from around $60 a week.
Seasons
It's wise not to attempt tough tracks during the heat of summer (November to
March) when the dust can be severe and water scarce, making a breakdown more dan-
gerous. Travel during the Wet (November to April) in the north may be hindered by flood-
ing and impassable mud.
Tell Someone
There are still many unsealed roads in central Australia where the official
recommendation is that you report to the police before you leave, and again when you ar-
rive at your destination. If not the police, tell friends, family and/or your car-hire company
what you're up to.
