I like to keep my plans flexible – I plan a general route rather than a specific itinerary. The Simpson desert itself is always a highlight. Driving Across The Australian Outback in a 4WD with Kathleen Swinbourne. Southern Outback Drive. Even though I’ve always thought of myself as a beach person, I now love deserts. This is an epic road trip that crosses the Nullarbor Plain and skirts around the edge of the Great Australian Bight, this trip is well worth doing by itself let alone combined with a complete self-drive big lap of the country. If I'd ever go somewhere really, really deserted I'd have a satellite phone. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. But these roads are vulnerable. Getting There. #outback #australia #traveldestinations Not being able to do either, at times I really felt lost! I felt like I was a million miles from anywhere. Read Our Latest Articles. So, please! 20 September 2017 The Land Rover Discovery has taken on a 110-tonne road train and the Australian Outback… and won. It is true that corrugations aren't felt as badly if you go fast enough. I spent a year working in Australia and traveling around by campervan. We camped beside the lake overnight, then flew over it in a small plane and watched the water coming down and spreading over the lake. Driving around Australia should not be underestimated. I’ve also just got back from a couple of months on Cape York with my partner (Doc), where I drove the Old Tele Track, which is one of Australia’s iconic 4WD tracks. The Nullarbor Plain is famous for the 90 Mile Straight, Australia’s – and one of the world’s – longest straight roads. Southern Produce, Parks & Pubs. I spent a couple of days just relaxing in the 38°C hot springs at Dalhousie on the western edge of the desert. Coming To The Outback. If getting around the Outback as cheaply as possible if a priority for you, and you don’t want … I’ve now bought new cords for each so I can recharge via a USB port or the car’s cigarette lighter if the inverter stops working again, and I now make sure I have a notebook to write in. And don't despair if it doesn't work straight away. They activated an emergency beacon (for life threatening situations only) which of course caused a huge rescue operation. No trees in sight to winch from? This is almost a straight line from Dalhousie Springs to Birdsville. Known as ‘Australia’s Longest Shortcut’, the route runs from Perth, Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland. First of all, it happens to the best of us: we get bogged. If you ignore the closed sign you risk a fine of $5000 and you may lose your licence. Neither do they require any special skills or preparation. Here's a guide to help you actually drive around Australia — covering route, logistics, vehicles, supplies, costs and more. Yes, it works. Especially when you’re travelling on your own. What you need are good safety tips for driving long distances across the Outback. Strict regulations limit their length to 53.5m so Land Rover obtained special permission to pull seven trailers and the 12-tonne tractor unit – retained to operate the hydraulic brakes fitted to the trailers. If you find them closed make sure you close them again! Travel Distances. About the program. There’s a lot to see in that 5,000k. Dusk and dawn are the most dangerous times for driving, it's best just to have a break instead. To start with make sure you have proper directions and a very detailed and current map of the area. A road has opened up in dramatic scenes in South Australia after a truck and ute head on crash left two people dead. After 4 years of hearing “I can’t get away from work right now, we’ll go next year,” I bought my own 4WD and went on my own. It’s one thing being on your own when you’re travelling, it’s completely different being on your own when you can’t get out. Many of the unsealed Australian Outback roads are well maintained gravel roads. The 3042 km road connects Adelaide in the south with Darwin in the north, via the intriguing opal mining town Coober Pedy and Alice Springs. Thanks for your support – Lauren x Booking.com – for booking hotels Rain can cause wash outs, creeks can flood the road, and bog holes can remain long after. But keep in mind how little contact your whe… Most want to cross Outback Australia on one of the major highways: the Stuart Highway through the Red Centre, the Eyre Highway across the Nullarbor... Everything you need to know about these kind of drives is covered on the previous page about travel in the Australian Outback. I've recently arrived in Australia, and have until now managed to evade the slew of horrible things that can kill me. Tell someone where you are driving and when you intend to be back/arrive at your destination. (On a bad road it will be a lot less than that.). Australian Traveller looks at The Nullarbor Crossing, one of Australia’s 10 Greatest Outback Journeys. But what if the road is not a popular, well travelled route to a big tourist attraction? Outback Highway or Outback Way is one of Australia’s great four wheel drive odysseys. Aug 2, 2017 - Australia is huge and spans different Outback climate zones. Many visitors are unprepared for the size of Australia. Mostly 4x4 is not necessary. I always carry enough food for a month!. Freedom from the daily grind of working and being responsible for anybody other than myself. From ocean drives to outback missions, here are Australia's best road trips. Choose a type of road trip, location and duration that suits you; your journey begins here. Plan ahead. Visiting Wycliffe Well – the ‘UFO Capital of Australia’ on an Australian Outback Road Trip Outback Road Trip Day 3: Uluru, the Icon After an overnight stay in an Alice Springs hostel, a 6 am start marks the point of one of the most exciting parts of the trip – the journey to visit Uluru –Australia’s most famous red icon (also known by its Western given name, Ayers Rock). ... not some idiot trying to take of selfie of themselves driving down a deserted desert road. And make sure you stop in Eulo in outback Queensland for a mudbath. Fortunately, I carry spare hoses so was able to fix that with no problems and just had to keep a close eye on it every day. Perth to Broome. It’s a long way just to go to the pub, but that’s the outback for you! Enquire at the next tourist centre, or simply ask the locals. Sand or mud: Use a shovel to dig away sand or mud in front or behind the wheels (and under the diff if necessary). Sitting in a hot spring watching the sunrise and listening to the birds wake up and greet the day isn’t what you’d expect in a desert, particularly not one as remote as the Simpson. What to Pack for Outback Australia: An Essential Guide As we live and work in the outback, we really do know exactly what to pack for outback Australia at all times of the year. They’re not all just endless sand. Granted, we don’t have a car. From the air, you could actually see the water slowly moving and spreading out over the lake’s surface. They like to know who is on their land, just like you'd like to know who is poking around your backyard. In fact, most of the roads out here are unsealed, and many require a four wheel drive vehicle. I'm sure you want to avoid a scenario like that of the couple from the Netherlands who got bogged in Litchfield National Park (not exactly a deserted part of Australia). Granted, we don’t have a car. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. (On a bad road it will be a lot less than that.) A good high lift jack and something to use as a base plate for it. Among many features: Haul cargo across Australia. My car is also equipped with a winch, so far I haven't needed it. Road trips and self-drive journeys. Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in London. Four children took a stolen four-wheel drive on a 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) road trip across the Australian outback before being nabbed by police, officials said Monday. First drive: 2021 Subaru Outback. That’s not something you see often in the outback, where wine choices can be quite limited. Australia is the driest continent in the world. The Outback Way. To consider wildlife is even more important once you leave the highways. Most people take the direct route via the French Line. Crossing the Nullarbor Plain is one of the foremost outback travelling accomplishments for Australians and overseas visitors alike. Lots of people talk about driving 'The Big Lap', but few actually do it. But you do need to bring a lot of time. If you're in deep sand, deflate your tyres. The Nullarbor stretches across the southern edge of Australia between the goldfields of Western Australia and the Eyre Peninsula in … Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Either deep water on the road, or rocks and boulders that require high clearance, wash outs that a normal car can't climb through, steep banks... You will need a four wheel drive vehicle. Dreaming of the open road? A lot of traffic can lead to bad corrugations, the rattling is hard on your bones and hard on your car. If I’ve got time I will try to get to Western Australia as well, or maybe see a bit more of the Northern Territory. Haul extreme cargo thousands of miles and explore the Outback’s wilderness in some of the most intense conditions on earth! Had an incredible weekend in Budapest with @hirst. This is the best way to experience the true Aussie spirit, in the wilderness of the coasts and deserts. Australia's size will surprise you; Rules for driving in remote Australia; Aussie Outback driving tips; Other survival tips; Australia's size will surprise you. Wildlife Feel the wide open space of Australia's vast outback beneath your wheels on one of the world's greatest adventure drives as you cross the vast, semi-arid Nullarbor Plain. To prepare your car properly for a trip to the Australia Outback is an essential part of Outback safety. There’s only one place to camp at the lake and that’s 60km down a 4WD-only access road. Armed with a camera, a can-do attitude and a love for the desert, Australian photographer Kathleen Swinbourne’s latest adventure saw her drive solo across the Australian outback in her 4WD. Who wouldn’t want to see something called the Painted Desert? Believe me. ... so it’s essential to be prepared when driving the outback … The Australian Government is investing $330 million to upgrade key sections of the Outback Way, the 2,800 kilometre route that links Laverton in Western Australia with Winton in Queensland via Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. A drive across the Outback seems like potentially the best road trip available on this planet. Because of time constraints, I had to cut out the planned section through Western Australia so it didn’t end up as 10,000k. Proving that the outback isn’t just red dirt and vast nothingness, Kathleen talks about the rainbows of colour in The Painted Desert, the shining surface of The Moon Desert and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre’s salt water glimmering in the moonlight. Why is it driving at night a no-go in the Australian Outback? I make sure I clean all my camping equipment and repair anything before I put it away, but it still all needs to be rechecked before I pack again. See my itinerary and recommendations to make the most of this trip and read my blog. The sight of a seven-trailer truck being pulled by an SUV sounds far-fetched – but that’s exactly what happened when Land Rover put the Discovery to the ultimate towing test. Learning about the 60,000 years or more of the country’s history and seeing it first hand is an amazing experience. Exploring Magnetic Island In A Tropical Topless Car – Where To Go And What To See. And of course, so much of the country is only accessible by car, and sometimes only by 4WD, so you have to drive if you want to see it. Often it's not as bad as it looks. A road trip across the Australian outback would be an incredible adventure! I decided that rather than cook I’d go to the local pub for dinner. It sounds very necessary to be prepared for a road trip there, and these are all great tips! Select an outback self-drive route and hit the open road on the outback driving holiday of a lifetime. If you’ve found my blog useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when booking travel. Writing about my experiences is one way I think things through, and it helps me to ‘keep my balance’ when I’m on my own. So I made a 140k detour each way to go and see. The fact that many public roads lead through cattle stations (ranches) also means that once you turn off that main road/track you are on private land and are actually trespassing. Fortunately, when I was at the beginning of the Simpson, somebody gave me a notebook so I could at least write (thanks Libby). This is particularly true for roads to major tourist attractions. Travellers' Tips. Just start somewhere. (And if you do use a tree as anchor point protect the trunk with a blanket or similar!). I’ve met far too many people, women in particular, who have put off travelling and doing their dream trips because of work, kids, partners, and other responsibilities, and then never got there because their partner passed away unexpectedly or they got divorced. I start planning the next trip as soon as I get home from the current one. For some travelers, the idea of a dream trip is to drive across one of the world’s great countries or ... most of which live on the coast. Across the range, the Outback gets a new 11.6-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, auto LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, auto stop/start and a full suite of Subaru’s safety tech. Keep in Touch with Outback Queensland. Four days (at least). 0 Armed with a camera, a can-do attitude and a love for the desert, Australian photographer Kathleen Swinbourne’s latest adventure saw her drive solo across the Australian outback in her 4WD. I like to travel to places with a story to tell and hope to inspire you to explore the very best of our world. Serbia is. I wish I’d done it earlier. Broken Hill Police Inspector Matthew McCarthy has lived in the New South Wales outback all his life and has spent the past 20 years warning travellers that driving around Australia should not be underestimated. Download this Driving Across Australian Outback photo now. Driving times and distances intended as a guide only and may vary depending on exact route taken. I was there for 3 days without seeing another soul or even hearing a voice over the UHF. Planning for my last trip was helped because I’d already been to the Simpson Desert once, so I knew what to expect. July, 2018. The 3042 km road connects Adelaide in the south with Darwin in the north, via the intriguing opal mining town Coober Pedy and Alice Springs . The longest stretch of dead straight road – 1675 kilometres – anywhere in the world… straight across the … Plenty of water and plenty of fuel (you may use a lot more than on the highway...). It’s known as Australia's longest shortcut and is an adventure track you will never forget. LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TOWS 110-TONNE ROAD TRAIN ACROSS AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK . They clog up your radiator in no time and several tourists cook the engines of their cars this way every year... Keep a close eye on the engine temperature and stop every now and then to scrape the locust glue off. Take care, and if in doubt get out and walk across to check. The pair were driving across the Australian outback at night when another driver signalled at them to pull over. Freedom to pick the route and go to the places I want to go, and to stop when and where I want to stop. All it usually takes is a phone call to the station owner/manager to get permission. Flats can be treacherous. I took a scenic Northern Territory road trip through Outback Australia from Darwin down to Uluru in the Red Centre via Litchfield, Kakadu & Katherine. Wildlife is plentiful in the Outback. That's the secret! 300km between petrol stations is quite a long distance. With its stunning Outback scenery, arrow-straight roads and stupendous scale, driving in Australia is the ultimate way to see it the country up close and personally. Explore a large, Open-world. Solo travel to me is complete freedom. Bus Services. Driving across Australia from Sydney to Perth alone takes 41 hours, covering 3,933 km / 2,444 miles. The colours of the rocks and hills were amazing, and ever-changing in different lights. Spares are hard to come by in the middle of nowhere... Another hazard that is made worse by speed is the danger coming from sharp edged rocks on the road. You have to reinflate the tyres when you get back on firm ground. I guess I should mention the locusts (a kind of grasshopper). All photos courtesy of Kathleen Swinbourne – read more about her outback journeys on kathswinbourne.com.au, As always, my travel advice and stories are completely free. So don't panic. The best known Australian Outback Highway, the drive most people think about when talking about driving through the Austrailian Outback, is the Stuart Highway. If you have access to the internet check the links on this page for Australian Outback road reports and more Outback information. Any robust car in perfect technical condition with reasonable ground clearance. The big questions for me are “what haven’t I seen yet along the way?” and “where do I want to revisit and see more?” Sometimes a name on the map attracts me. Enter your name and email and get a FREE70 page Outback Guide! A lot of Australians think of the outback as the ‘real Australia,’ even though most of us live in cities along the coast. What car to take? Here are a few tips that might get you out of trouble. Four children took a stolen four-wheel drive on a 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) road trip across the Australian outback before being nabbed by police, officials said Monday. I knew that if something went wrong that I couldn’t fix, it might be a few days or more before somebody else came along to help. That meant I couldn’t recharge either my camera or my laptop. One of the other highlights was an unplanned detour in outback Queensland. Hoping my husband and I can make it happen someday. But keep in mind how little contact your wheels have with the road if you just fly over the top of these corrugations. Go along the 3,000km of road that will take you right through the core of the Australian outback. She writes about responsible travel, adventure travel and wildlife travel, aiming to encourage and inspire people to get off the beaten path, explore the great outdoors, and travel more sustainably. The Outback Way is Australia’s Route 66, the great Australian Road Trip… unearth the magic and immerse yourself in a journey like never before. It takes three to four days to drive the route, from Perth to Adelaide. An old trick that works without fail is to bury your spare tyre and anchor the winch line to it before you fill the hole in. At all the creek crossings, people kept saying to Doc, “so you’re letting her drive this one?” Hahaha. Because of wildlife crossing coupled with isolated roads and weather hazards. From expansive outback adventures to dramatic coastline routes and lush green landscapes, there’s no better place to traverse on wheels than Australia. Too good in fact. Take the amazing road between Perth and Broome to enter right through the bush into the wilds of Australia. Drive Outback Queensland Guide. You don’t have to start with 10,000k through outback Australia. Cover the rugged terrain and sweeping desert landscape of the Australian Outback on this epic self-drive excursion through Victoria, South Australia, and Northern Territory. Made up of three or more trailers, Road Trains will be the ultimate driving experience. Northern Australia is mostly Outback, and has a dry season and a wet season.The dry months are April, May, September and October; the rest of the year is very wet and humid. We really don’t learn enough of our own history in school here. One more easy way to be safe: Let someone know what you are up to! When planning a big trip it's best to assume an average travel speedof no more than 50kms/hr on unsealed roads. That way I know if something might need to be watched during the trip. South Australian Outback Roads Temporary Closures, Restrictions and Warnings I try to read enough about the places I’m travelling to give me a flavour of where I’m going, but not so much that my expectations become set. Driving in the Australian Outback does not require any particular driving skills. Consider waiting for the cooler time of the day. It was a fabulous place, and the wine selection was great. If you are not used to driving on unsealed Outback roads and tracks go slow! They are amazing places, and they’re all so different. When you’re going solo to somewhere as remote as the Simpson, you have to get yourself prepared to be completely on your own, and that’s a psychological thing. It mightn’t seem like the typical road trip, but for some Australians, crossing the Nullarbor is a summertime tradition. The Painted Desert is just what it sounds like – a rainbow of colour. You're not helping anyone if you get heat struck on top of getting bogged! Australia is home to the longest and heaviest Road Trains in the world, which is why these gargantuan trains are so famous. Panic is not an option. I wouldn’t even book a hotel room unless it had a spa! My biggest challenge was actually quite a small thing – my inverter stopped working just after the Painted Desert. Here in the north we get big swarms of them at the beginning of the dry season. I think he created a monster! Rail Experiences. I’ve learned there is no such thing as the “right time” – that time is now. November 30, 2019 . Generally, I start with a place – “I want to go to…” That could be a town, a desert, or a road that I want to drive. Maximise good weather by spending April to September travelling across the north of Australia between Broome and Cairns. Keep trying. Stones, timber branches, grass... Use the jack on a plate (or it will just sink) to lift the car and put some materials under the wheels. I also ventured into the Northern Territory and through parts of outback Queensland. Without a doubt, the best way to see the country in all its glory is to jump in a car, van or camper and hit the road. It extends 2,800 km (1,740 mi) from Laverton, Western Australia to Winton, Queensland via central Australia. By Mac 4 Comments. The highlight of the long day’s drive is the first over-night resting stop – visiting Daly Waters. The faster you drive, the bigger your chance to have one of your tyres slit open... On the previous page about driving in the Austrailian Outback I wrote about cattle and other animals on the road. It is often referred to as Australia’s Longest Shortcut.. When I was younger I spent 18 months backpacking around south east Asia, and travelled to the UK and parts of Europe. Once I decide the place (the Simpson Desert again but this time via the Rig Road on the southern end of the desert), I then look at a map and see what’s along the way. Train. This time that meant getting the damage I did on the last trip repaired! The Nullarbor stretches across the southern edge of Australia between the goldfields of Western Australia and the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Ask the police, the rangers, the petrol station, or even at the pub. The Outback Way is an iconic 2,800 kilometre route from Laverton in Western Australia to Winton in Queensland via Alice Springs. Get out, have a drink, look at the situation and your options. On a good stretch of road you will most likely go faster, but 50kms/hr takes the rough spots into account. My sister and I went back to Kati Thanda when it was in flood. The best known Australian Outback Highway, the drive most people think about when talking about driving through the Austrailian Outback, is the Stuart Highway. Driving in outback Queensland is a unique experience. I always carry enough water and food to last me for at least an extra week on top of the time I have planned. It works, but it is a lot of work. Explore the St George Region. Written by Lauren Pears. The pair were driving across the Australian outback at night when another driver signalled at them to pull over. Broken Hill Police Inspector Matthew McCarthy says travellers often underestimate the vastness of the Australian outback. There's nothing simple about taking a road trip through the remote, dry, Outback. 4WD-ing is such a blokey pursuit that it’s an interesting experience driving a track like that when you’re a woman. Whatever you do, stay with your vehicle, unless you know for sure that help is nearby, and you know for sure how to get there. While working make sure you drink enough, wear a hat and have breaks. And there’s so much variety. I make a communications plan with my partner for those times I won’t have mobile phone service so he always knows when I will call, and when to call out emergency services if I don’t call! Travel across Australia behind the wheel of the mighty Road Train! Try 25 psi to start with, go lower if you need to, provided you carry a small compressor. The southern part of the desert is part of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre basin, and is completely different from further north. My partner (the one who dragged me into the outback in a swag) and I went to Cape York in 2011, and we vowed that we would do a big trip at least every 2 years, if not every year. ... Hyundai's sporty new small car 1:52. The same for taking photos. Three time zones. I got talking to a couple of women who were travelling for their work, and they told me about a pub at Yaraka they thought I’d like because it had a special wine fridge. The shortest route from my home to the western edge of the Simpson is almost 3,000k. I will not go into details and the how to of recovery methods, but I will give you some general tips. Think about your shock absorbers, too. Being able to maintain communications just to let somebody know you’re still alive and ok is essential. Jan 2, 2020 - Armed with a camera, a can-do attitude and a love for the desert, Australian photographer Kathleen Swinbourne's latest adventure saw her drive solo across the Outback Communication. Visitor Information Centres. My car is useless in sand (little power, little clearance) and I have to do it all the time. Australia has an astonishingly diverse and startlingly beautiful outback region that's home to some of the world's most isolated communities. During the wet season in northern Australia (November - April) you will encounter other difficulties. With a good network of sealed roads and gravel tracks, many drive routes can be undertaken with a conventional vehicle and even a caravan in tow. Feel the wide open space of Australia's vast outback beneath your wheels on one of the world's greatest adventure drives as you cross the vast, semi-arid Nullarbor Plain.
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