Top 10 Tips When Travelling the Australian Outback

We at Northside Rentals want you to get the best from your travelling experience here in Western Australia. However, if you’re new to Australia or haven’t experience the Australian outback before, there are a few things you may need to take into consideration before you begin your travels. Travelling the Australian outback is quite different from any other road trips you may have taken before: you can drive for miles without seeing another human being so it’s important that you are prepared for the long haul should you hit any bumps in the road… Pre-planning is a must. The best way to enjoy your outback experience is to load up with the necessary knowledge and supplies. So without further ado, here are our top ten tips for keeping safe, happy and moving forward when travelling in the outback;

1. Be aware that some Australian states can have a mine-field of traffic laws that you won’t even realise you’re breaking before it’s too late. So make sure, especially if it’s your first time driving in Aus to do your homework and read up on the places you’re going and the routes you’ll be taking before you set off to avoid any nasty infringement penalties.
2. Similarly, make sure you know the condition of the roads you plan to use. You can do so by contacting the road transport authorities, as again, driving on a closed road will be classed as an infringement and incur a large fine. It’s always best to check beforehand.
3. The hot conditions of an Australian road trip means it’s all too easy to become dehydrated. Keep plenty of water in the car and keep drinking. Carry more water for longer trips and always take at least 10 litres per person in case of a breakdown or an emergency situation.
4. If you’re making a lot of stop offs on the way to explore the outback, make sure you have sensible shoes that are suitable for walking. Flip-flops might be okay in the warm car but you’re going to want something that covers and protects your feet if you’re going bush walking.
5. Although it would be a rare occurrence with Northside’s Rental fleet…if you’re driving an older vehicle you HAVE to be prepared for a breakdown. Carrying spare tyres is a must (two if travelling in particularly isolated regions) as well as radiator hoses and fanbelts.
6. If can avoid it, driving in dusk, dawn or night time conditions should be avoided. You have to take into account the wildlife and hitting animals won’t make for the best family road-trip experience…
7. Keeping sheltered from the Aussie sun is of course paramount. Wearing a hat will not only keep you from losing too much fluids from your head, but will stop you getting sunburn and possibly sun-stroke. Broad brimmed hats will ensure your face, ears and neck are also protected as much as possible.
8. Particularly on long journeys or when travelling remote areas, make sure to call ahead to let people know of your expected arrival times. If you are changing your route or you ETA, make sure you call and make them aware so they don’t send out a search party if you plan to be late.
9. The rocky terrain means that if you have to plug up a breached fuel tank, you may need reserves. Where possible, carry extra fuel with you – that way, in an emergency you can top up until you’re able to reach a garage or filling station.
10. Keeping sheltered is a big priority. Taking a couple of tarps on the journey will be extremely useful for a number of things. Most importantly however, they can be used as a means of shade should you break down where there is no other shelter from the sun or wind.

So make sure you’re prepared travellers! We want your experience of Western Australia to be the best one possible, so a little bit of pre-planning before you set off in your car will go a long way.