I know I always bring that up, but Australia is big, bigger than Europe! The best way to experience this country and its more remote areas is on a road trip. If you want to explore the desert and have a feeling of what real Australia tastes like, then you’ll want to know how to safely drive the Australian outback.
The main challenge out there is to be prepared to drive very long distances and to be self-sufficient in case something happens. There’s a whole lot of nothing between big cities and, although that’s where you’ll experience and see some of the most beautiful things, it can be pretty dangerous as well.
South-Australia was my first Australian outback experience and little did I know about what that really meant. We used to drive for entire days without a soul in sight, stumble upon breathtaking views, admiring plenty of stars by night, and spotting crazy wild animals.
Doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, South-Australia has them all.
Maintain your vehicle
First things first, the car. You want to make sure everything is perfect in your car before you start driving for long distances, especially in Australia.
It’s not uncommon to drive for 300 km without a single vehicle in sight. That’s why it’s better to not break down or run into any problems while being in the middle of nowhere.
For your peace of mind and to stay safe, simply check the oil level, water, and tires before your trip.
Never Leave Your Car
If you do run into any kind of problem, do not leave your car. The real reason why people die in the desert is that they leave their vehicles! You are in the middle of the Australian outback, it’s probably crazy hot, and the last thing you want is to get lost or dehydrated. Always stay close to your car and hope for some reception. Eventually, someone will pass by and help you out!
Fuel Up Whenever You Can
And what I mean, is fuel up your vehicle and your tank at every gas station!
Petrol will be extremely expensive in the Australian outback (even AUD2/litre!), but you don’t have much choice. It’s better to spend some extra cents and keep on driving than running out of petrol somewhere in the desert.
TIP: You can download the free app FuelMap Australia. It’s a lifesaver, as you’ll have an offline map of all the petrol stations nearby, prices included.
So at least you know for how long you’ll have to drive if you are running low!
Get Plenty Of Food & Water
Petrol isn’t the only expensive thing you’ll find in the outback. Food and snacks will be extremely pricey and water sometimes not easy to find.
My advice is to refill your water tank every time you have the opportunity and to grab really large quantities of food before you start driving. You never know when’ll find the next grocery store, and if you find one, it’s gonna be crazy expensive!
Australian Outback Natural Threats
Safely driving in the Australian outback means being careful and look out for any potential natural hazard. Fires, cyclones, flooding may occur at any time!
Always slow down if those extreme weather conditions are too harsh or stop in a resting bay if you prefer!
Never (Ever) Drive At Night
This country is well known for its wildlife and (unfortunately) those creatures can cross the street without warning.
Most kangaroos will come out at dusk, and it’s impossible to determine whether they will cross the road or not. Kangaroos are big animals and crashing against one of them will be fatal for them and not nice for your car! It’s in both interests to simply slow down or, even better, arrive at your destination before dusk.
However, kangaroos aren’t the only reason why you should slow down. The Australian outback is home to countless wild animals (dingos, eagles, feral cats), and even livestock animals (sheep, cattle, goats). Those animals are always strolling around, day and night, so you really want to be careful at all times!
Stop Whenever You Are Tired
This goes without saying, but it’s important to always rest when you feel like.
If you, like me, are traveling with someone, take turns! My boyfriend and I always try to drive not more than three hours each. Even if we try to push this limit, your body will know and will give you signs. Please, listen to each of them!
Driving with someone is a bit safer because both of you will pay attention to the road. Many and many times I wasn’t spotting kangaroos crossing the street while my co-driver was! After 6 months of van life, we’ve finally learned it! Now we help each other out and easily avoid unwanted accidents together.
However, if you are traveling alone, simply be more careful, especially at night. At the first sign of tiredness, pull over and take a nap!
Download Offline Maps (And Not Only)
Most places won’t have any reception. Like, at all. The most important thing is to have some offline maps (Maps.me is a wonderful app) so that you don’t get lost.
Since you will drive long hours, I would suggest you download some music or podcasts to listen while you’re driving. Try to think ahead and ask yourself if you are gonna need wifi.
This sounds stupid, but please consider everything. My boyfriend and I forgot to transfer some money from our savings to our bank account and realized we couldn’t pay for the AUD75 petrol we had just pumped in our van. I had no idea what happened, but probably the Universe decided to help us out by approving the transaction anyway (even though I had not enough money on my card!).
It was pretty scary and I hope I’ll never find myself in something similar again! Always make sure you have enough money!
The Australian outback is simply magic and, as I said already, you’ll run into some crazy cities and wonderful views. I can safely say this is the real Australia, and I highly encourage you to adventure in those remote areas.
Did I miss something? Is there something you would love to add? You can let me know in the comment box below or shot me an email!
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