Make your journey through Australia’s Golden Outback a safe and enjoyable experience by considering these simple travel tips.
Self driving through Australia's Golden Outback may take you into some remote areas where forward planning is extremely important to ensure your experience is safe, enjoyable and memorable. The following is a list of safety tips to assist you:
- Always tell someone where you are going, your return dates and your itinerary.
- Make sure your vehicle is in top mechanical condition.
- Check road conditions before departure. Rain can make some tracks and roads impassable. When travelling on unsealed roads exercise caution and 'read' the road well ahead of the vehicle.
- Carry extra food, fuel, water and vehicle spares if you are travelling on remote tracks.
- In event of a breakdown in a remote location, remain with your vehicle.
- The Outback can be very hot in summer so if you are travelling at this time of the year make sure you are carrying plenty of drinking water.
- Roads and tracks on private property should not be used without the landholder's permission. Leave gates as you found them.
- Take care at all railway crossings. Train movements can be irregular and not all crossings have flashing lights.
- Large slow-moving agricultural machinery may be encountered on highways and local roads, so take care when overtaking.
- Dust can obscure vision when travelling or passing on dirt roads.
- Keep alert for wildlife such as kangaroos and emus, especially at dusk and dawn when visibility may be poor and they become more active.
- Be prepared! Pack a first-aid kit.
- Plan your trip in advance and make sure you:
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- Get a good night’s sleep before departing.
- Stay somewhere overnight if you are on a long journey.
- Share the driving if you can.
- Plan to travel for no longer than eight or ten hours a day.
- Take a ten minute power nap when drowsy.
- Stop at a roadhouse for a coffee break and to stretch.
- Don't drive during hours when you are normally asleep.
Road Trains
Road trains are common along many regional Western Australian highways and in particular the mining and agricultural areas. Road trains can often have up to four trailers and on the open road can travel at speeds up to 100kmph.
You should always leave approximately 200m between vehicles in a convoy to allow road train drivers to pass. Only overtake a road train if the road is clear and visible for a long distance ahead (more than 1km) and once you have made the decision to pass do it as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible.
Fuel & Food Availability in Remote Locations
Food and fuel are generally available every 100 - 300km. However, when travelling in remote regions such as the Outback Highway, it is recommended that you plan and check ahead. Some remote service stations have restricted opening hours and limited bank/credit facilities.
Please note that LPG Autogas is not available in all regional areas. It is advisable that you contact the local shires or visitor centres when planning your journey to ensure that you have access to LPG Autogas when required.
Useful links
www.drivewa.com
www.mainroads.wa.gov.au
