Be Prepared

Take Care on the Road

Take Regular Breaks

Always Carry Spares

Know your Facilities

Share the Road

Vehicle Care

•    Make sure your vehicle and its components (jack, spare tyre etc) are in good working order and has been serviced recently.
•    Make sure you know how to do basic repairs, such as changing a tyre, before you leave.
•    Always carry a snatch strap and tyre pressure gauge with you when travelling in remote areas, as well as extra food and water.

Extreme Weather

Take care when travelling in remote areas during summer.  Temperatures in Outback Australia can reach over 50°C (122°F).  In the evenings the temperature can dip to below freezing.  Ensure that you are dressed appropriately.  

Tell Someone Where You Are

Our remote areas have few towns and facilities, often with large distances between them, so plan your trip. When travelling in remote areas or planning to leave major roads, advise local police of your intended route.  

If You Break Down

If you do experience a breakdown, remain with the vehicle at all times.  Do not attempt to walk to safety. Stay in the shade and keep hydrated.

Avoid Unmarked Roads and Tracks

Avoid tracks that are for private use only, or that are not marked on maps.  The outback is vast, and services can be hundreds of kilometres apart.   

Gates

If you encounter gates, they should always be left as they were found.  Open gates should be left open and closed gates should be closed after passing through them.

Driving After Dark

Avoid driving after dark as cattle and wildlife often congregate alongside outback roads at night.

Wandering Stock

In regional areas, stock is frequently found grazing in roadside land.  This stock can wander onto roads, and into the path of vehicles.  Take care to avoid any stock on roads.  Or, be cautious when stock is grazing near roads.

Road Conditions in Outback and Rural Areas

Road conditions in the outback can vary from sealed surfaces to gravel and dirt. Always use a four-wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads in remote areas.  Be careful of holes, soft road edges, narrow roads with unstable edges, narrow bridges, changing surfaces and dusty roads.  The environment can change rapidly.
•    Always check on local road conditions before leaving major roads.  Check with local police, petrol stations and/or park rangers.  For National Park information refer to www.npws.com.au.   
•    Turn your vehicle’s headlights on to low beam during the day so vehicles can see you.
•    Drive slowly on unsealed roads and take extra care – loose surfaces are unpredictable.
•    If you drive off the side of the road, do not overcorrect but slow down and return to the road when the vehicle is travelling at a safe speed.
•    Obey road closure signs.
•    Flooded roads: You may come across water on the road.  Roads may be covered in water which appears shallow but can have a current strong enough to sweep your vehicle away.  Wait until the water level drops or use an alternative route.
•    If your vehicle breaks down in a remote area, ALWAYS stay with your vehicle. This is the single most important rule of survival.

Wildlife on the Roads

•    Watch out for animals on the road such as kangaroos and emus.  Livestock also graze on the side of unfenced roads and can present significant danger to vehicles.
•    The most active time for many animals is sunrise and sunset.  If an animal crosses in front of you, reduce speed safely and do not swerve violently or you may roll the vehicle.
•    If you see an injured animal on the road, or want to check a pouch for young, you should follow these guidelines:
•    Your first priority is to take your own safety into account.  There are sections of road where you may be invisible to on-coming traffic, or cars simply won’t be able to stop in time.
•    If you’re sure you are safe, try to move the animal to the side of the road.  Keep claws and teeth well away from your body.  Once the animal is off the road, you can assess the injuries.
•    If the animal is dead, try to remove it from the road, as a lot of crashes occur because people swerve to miss animals that are already dead.
•    Do not transport an injured animal if you don’t have a secure container with air holes in it.
•    If an orphaned animal has been thrown from the pouch on impact, keep it wrapped securely and warmly in a quiet environment until you can get help from a carer.  Don’t attempt to give it food or water.
•    If you have a mobile phone, call a vet or call WIRES (the number is available from directory assistance) so that a wildlife ranger or volunteer can be sent out to help. In NSW call 1300 WIRES.

Driving in Floods

•    Do not attempt to cross flooded bridges or causeways unless you are absolutely sure of the water depth and any road damage. Even shallow water can have the strength to sweep away vehicles. Most flash floods recede within 24 hours.

Pastoral Stations Driving

When travelling in the outback you should be aware that you often pass through pastoral stations (except when you’re in parks and conservation reserves).  
•    You do not need permission to travel on a public road through a pastoral station.  However even on a public road, you may still encounter gates and livestock.  You must leave gates as you find them.  Never interfere with livestock.  
•    Stay on designated secondary roads as you will be travelling through environmentally sensitive country.