by Amanda N.

Created on: February 06, 2011   Last Updated: February 08, 2011

Traveling in the outback of Australia is a thrilling adventure. You get to see wildlife, plains, and the beautiful landscape of the continent. Driving in a vast expanse of remoteness, however, can also be a challenge. That makes getting to know how it is to drive in the outback of Australia all the more important.

Where is the Outback

The majority of Australians lives on the urban coasts in the east and south and in Perth in the west. Save for individual cities and towns and the tourist attractions, there are few people living in other parts of Australia. Outback refers those remotest, least populated areas on the continent.

The immense expanse of the outback is home to diverse species of feral animals like cattle, sheep, kangaroos, emus, and many other. Driving in the outback allows travelers to experience the wildlife and wilderness of Australia at a close distance.

The Outback Way

Travelers can take the Outback Way, a 2,750-kilometer route spanning from Laverton, Western Australia to Winton, Queensland through central Australia, to experience the outback Australia. The route consists of seven interconnecting roads. Many attractions such as Ayers Rock, the central Australia’s deserts, and Alice Springs are along the roads, making the outback journey all the more interesting.

Get Fueled Up Regularly

Fueling up the vehicle regularly is paramount for a drive that is thousands of kilometers long. Running out of petrol while petrol stops are nowhere to be seen is troublesome. It is advisable that travelers regularly fuel up their vehicle at roadhouses and petrol stops to keep their drive safe and smooth.

Tips on Driving in the Outback Australia

Driving in the outback Australia requires more attention than travelers think. A significant length (1,850 km) of the Outback Way is unsealed dirt roads. Corrugations, pits, mud, and mounds are common encounters. Travelers driving after rainfalls or during the wet seasons are advised to turn their headlights on and drive at a slow speed like 80 km/hr for safety purposes

In northern Australia, the highways may be closed during the wet seasons because of floods. Check with the locals to get the most updated road conditions. Besides, if a “closed” sign is posted in the road, the road ahead may be impassable. Travelers should not ignore it; offenders would be heavily fined for ignoring the warning.

Precaution Measures

Driving for a long distance in the outback of Australia is a mentally and physically challenging experience.

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