Outback Driving tips

Stay safe on your Outback Australia travel adventure

Outback driving is not riskier than driving on any crowded highway at home. Likewise, driving on unsealed tracks in the Australian Outback needs the driver's full attention. Road conditions vary, depending on the weather, usage of the road, and how long ago the grader went through. Usually, the main Outback roads are in fairly good condition.

At first, some basic rules for driving in Australia

• A valid driver's license is required, of course. International visitors should have an international driving license, especially, if your license is not issued in the English language.
• Speed limits apply in all states of Australia, but they vary from state to state, and even change within the state from time to time. If you're going to hire a car, you'll get the latest information. You can also check with the Australian motoring clubs.
• Drinking and driving is best to be avoided. A blood alcohol concentration limit of 0,05% is valid in all states. And they test you!! Even in a small bush town on a Sunday morning.
• If you have an accident with people being injured call the police. The emergency call is 000 from fixed phones, and 112 from mobile phones.
• Australians drive on the left side of the road, but this is not a problem. After two days it is like you have always done that.

Outback Driving

You've heard about corrugated roads? It seems Australia is famous for them.

Pictured is one of the worse roads in a national park in New South Wales. Don't worry, it is not always that bad. Find the speed that makes the ride on bumpy roads comfortable for you. On roads like the Oodnadatta & Birdsville Track this is usually a speed of 60 to 80 km/h (40 - 50 mph).

Some Outback roads are paved, but have actually only one single lane paved (as pictured on the Outback safety page). When you see an oncoming car, both vehicles move slightly to the left. However, if the oncoming car is a truck, you better slow down and leave the road completely. Don't force the truck too leave the bitumen. It would only throw stones and dust on you anyway.

Outback Driving Tips

• Be aware of hidden dangers like potholes and soft edges. If you are speeding you can turn your car upside down.
• Watch out for animals on the road. Apart from the native animals, there is also the risk of cattle lingering on roads.
• Avoid driving on wet roads. If a road is closed due to rain, wait until it dries out. The fines for driving on closed roads will ruin your budget.

• Grids and gates - they help station owners to keep the animals in the paddocks they should stay. On main roads there are grids, animals won't walk over them.
  Minor tracks just have a gate. You have to get off the car and open the gate, if it's closed. Don't forget to close it after you have passed.

  The golden rule is: Always leave a gate as you find it!
• Fatigue - this is another danger when you drive long distances. Plan frequent stops; there is always something worth to take a photo of.
• Drive with your headlight on. Other cars see you better in the dust cloud that surrounds your car.
• When a road train comes across your way it is a good idea to drive as far to the left as possible. Slow down. Better still, wait until the truck has passed. You won't see anything driving in the dust. If you have CB radio Channel 40) and see an oncoming truck, you can call and let the driver know that you are around. Remember, it will take a long time for a road train to stop, so just be careful.

For more information on Outback driving check the prepare your car and the driving distances Outback sections.

Outback Australia travel is fun and can get addictive. Be careful! :)

Looking for some background reading? Browse the Outback guide's Australian souvenirs stores for books, maps and music.

I hope the Outback driving tips were helpful. Need more information? Please use the search button below for more articles in the Outback guide.