Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OUTBACK ROAD SHOW
On many outback highways you'll see thundering road trains: huge trucks (a prime
mover plus two, three or four trailers) some more than 50m long. These things
don't move over for anyone, and it's like a scene out of Mad Maxhaving one bear
down on you at 120km/h. When you see a road train approaching on a narrow bitu-
men road, slow down and pull over − if the truck has to put its wheels off the road
to pass you, the resulting barrage of stones will almost certainly smash your wind-
screen. When trying to overtake one, allow plenty of room (about a kilometre) to
complete the manoeuvre. Road trains throw up a lot of dust on dirt roads, so if you
see one coming it's best to just pull over and stop until it's gone past.
And while you're on outback roads, don't forget to give the standard bush wave
to oncoming drivers − it's simply a matter of lifting the index finger off the steering
wheel to acknowledge your fellow motorist.
Avoid
Central Australia heats up over summer (December through February) - temperatures
approaching 50°C have been recorded in some desert towns - but that's just part of the
picture. With the heat comes dusty roads, overheating cars, driver fatigue, irritating flies
and the need to carry extra water everywhere you go. In the Top End the build-up to the
Wet season is uncomfortably humid, and the eventual monsoon can see many a road cut
and dirt roads made impassable for weeks at a time.
Planes, Trains or Automobiles?
Air
If you want to access the outback without a long drive, the major airlines fly into Alice
Springs and Yulara (for the central deserts) and Darwin (for the tropical Top End), depart-
ing from Perth, Adelaide and the major east-coast cities. From Darwin or Alice you can
join a guided tour or hire a 4WD and off you go.
Train
Unlike much of the world, train travel in Australia is neither affordable nor expedient.
It's something you do for a special occasion or for the sheer romance of trains, not if you
want to get anywhere in a hurry. That said, travelling on the
Indian Pacific
between Perth
and Sydney or the legendary
Ghan
between Adelaide and Darwin takes you through parts
of the country you wouldn't see otherwise, and it certainly makes for a leisurely holiday.
Train travel is also a good way to beat the heat if you're travelling in summer. So if you
have time on your side, and you can afford it, give it a try because it could be perfect for
you.
Car
You can drive through the Red Centre from Darwin to Adelaide with detours to Uluru
and Kakadu and more without ever leaving sealed roads. However, if you really want to
see outback Australia, there are plenty of side routes that breathe new life into the phrase
