Planning
ahead: the most important thing to do before travelling the outback
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Preparations
and planning
The principles
of four wheel drive touring, long distances or short distances, are all
the same and the first consideration is the condition of the road or track
you want to use. You need to know what you want to achieve and what is
possible. Reed the track notes carefully, estimate the journey,
on a large map. Taking into consideration the degree of difficulty and
the distances to be travelled, estimate an average speed and check that
each section of the trip is possible within a realistic time fram, for
you. Being pushed for time over distance could mean inappropriate speeding
and possible trouble.
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Permits
and regulations
Keep in
mind as you travel that even the most desolate looking land is under someone's
care. This may mean that permits and or permissions need to be obtained
before you can camp or fish. The general rules to camp in national parks
are written on your park pass. For detailed information call the nearest
tourist information bureau at the place you want to travel through.
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When to
go?
Weather
conditions or the seasons are the next consideration. Remember heavy rain
will raise creek and stream levels and may render them impassable. snow
in the highlands makes roads and tracks unsuitable. Hot weather gives you
a good reason to bypass the desert. Local media provides precise forecasts
up to four days in advance. And of course the kind of weather determines
the type of gear you need.
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Maps and
Navigation
Current
(check the date!) Map's and guides are essential for four wheel drive touring.
And be sure they are packet waterproof. Accessories for maps are pencil,
notebook, ruler, compass and calculator. Also important are detailed topographical
maps of the area you have planned to travel through, these will ease navigation.
Don't discount the pubs or stores for up to date information, four wheel
drive tracks are notoriously subject to change.
Tip
-
be sure
you know how to read the maps you are taking with you.
-
Read about
the things to see so that you have some goals and that you are familiar
with the things to expect.
-
Special
for the more fortunate travellers: A GPS handheld navigation tool ($2000)
to determine longitude latitude of wherever you are. You can use it also
for emergency back up (for last purpose only you can buy a small ESP emergency
satellite position system which costs $250 and in my opinion a cheap life
insurance). Note: Abuse will be seriously prosecuted).
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How will
you travel?
Travel
slowly, the more see and listen better motto. Running cost and repairs
will be kept to a minimum. You will travel more relaxed which means more
enjoying your hard earned holiday (for normal working people).
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Selecting
your vehicle and equipment
The Choice
For me
there is only one good 4wd to travel the outback: A Toyota Landcruiser
without any luxury! They are very though and easy to maintain. Keep it
simple, the less is able to break down. But for more information check
the 4 WD cites.
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Transmission
Please
for god's sake choose for a manual transmission!!! And always look for
the option of limited spare diff's.
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Diesel
or Petrol
Diesel
engines are more expensive than petrol, but they run more economically
and generally enjoy a longer life. For normal city travel petrol is far
favourite but in the outback I prefer diesel. This because several reasons:
-
The modern
injection systems give you more power but also more trouble, especially
with the "dirty" fuel which you buy in the outback. And a failing injection
system is hard to repair in the bush.
-
For creek
crossings, ignition systems will stop when they become humid, so see good
bye to the power when driving in water. Note In both cases be sure you
have snorkel fitted to prevent water from going into the engines air inlet.
And be sure that you fuel tank is completely closed. Water with petrol
is not that severe just add some methylated spirits and the water will
"burn" together with the petrol. Water with diesel is a pain in the ass.
This means and of the trip at least for the rest of the day, and hopefully
not in the middle of a creek.
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Mechanical
protection
Protect
the vehicle (when not already fitted) with a protection plate for the fuel
tank, gearbox, and transfer shaft against rock damage. A snorkel is necessary
(essential for diesel engines) for creek crossing and provides better airlifting.
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Tyres
and Wheel.
This depended
on the tracks you will be travelling, roughly you can say small tyres for
bitumen and the city. The widther Lug type tyres are good for bogs and
sand but are very noisy on sealed road. Choose to suit your purpose, but
let you inform about the tyres before you buy.
Tubs
ore Tubeless? Tubeless tyres are better but difficult to repair in outback
situations (you need compressed air). I buy tubeless and secure myself
with some spare tubes, so I can repair my tubeless tyre by putting in a
spare tube! and of course carry at least 2 spare tyres and a tyre repair
kit at all times.
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Tools,
spares and recovery gear
However
modern cars makes roadside repairs effectively impossible you must carry
at least the following items:
Workshop
manual, Torch+spare batteries, Tyre repair kit, Tyre pump, Basic set of
sockets, open end and ring spanners, pliers, sledge hammer, set of screwdrivers
(with different tips and heads), spanners, saw, knife, tie wire, wire brush,
insulation tape, dewatering fluid, shovel, axe, grease, jack and wood (to
prevent the jack for disappearing in the sand or mud), jump leads, fire
extinguisher, distributor cap (petrol engine), fuel filters, fuses, globes,
ignition coils, plugs, condenser and points, oil filter, radiator and heater
hoses and a radiator pressure cap. and most important know your vehicle.
For more information ask you car dealer do a course for car mechanics
The
following recovery gear is essential: Winch, chain (watch the length),
tow rope, hooks and gloves.
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Fuel and
Water
Extra
water and fuel must be carried all times with no compromise done with the
available space. This can save your live! Avoid plastic containers and
don't forget an adequate funnel. For fuel a rough estimate take
an extra original tank. So if your cars fuel tank capacity is 90 L carry
an extra 90 L! Don't think I carry an 180 L tank so I wont need extra fuel.
One late recognized leak and you are short of fuel in no-time! For Water
Take not less that 5 L per person a day, plus enough to refill a blown
radiator. DO NOT TAKE LESS IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIVE!!!
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Communication
You have
the following options:
-
Radiophone,
-
Royal
flying doctor service (RFDS)
-
The Global
Positioning System Emergency Beakon (GPSEB).
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On the Road
Off for
the dream break!
Driving
procedures
A mix
of bad road, sand, mud, rocks and water though can cause mishaps the city
driver would never encounter. The crash and bump of some tracks can break
components, being bogged in sand, mud or stranded midstream with a drown
engine is no joke. So read some books about it or take a of-road driving
course, you are not a wimp for doing so it is responsible. I will write
down some basic knowledge in summary. (Be aware that reading it doesn't
mean that you are capable of doing it).
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Creek
crossing
When
considering a creek crossing you must know at least the depth and the consistency
of the track below the water. It is just a matter of walking through the
creek first (Watch out for crocodiles in the North). Is the water above
tyre level search for an alternative route. Before entering the water,
remove your V-rim to secure your fan hitting the water with high speed.
If the engine stalls in the water, you have two options: Drive further
with the help of your starter motor or winch the car out (not recommended
in creeks containing crocs). Personal advice:
| Depth of creek |
Consistency of track under
water |
Advice |
| shallow |
hard |
Drive carefully at low speed
through the water |
| shallow |
soft |
Drive with a speed fast
enough (not faster) to reach the other side. |
| deep |
hard |
Drive carefully at low speed
through the water |
| deep |
soft |
choose alternative route |
|
|
|
| Always travel
the in de middle of the track, never think go around the track because
the depth is less. Your wheel will disappear in the mud! You are warned!!! |
.
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Sand
The
key driving a vehicle over sand is flotation, which is obtained by travelling
slow without stopping using low tyre pressure. Don't overload your car
and stick to existing wheel tracks as the sand is already compacted. Reinflate
tyres as soon as hard ground is reached other wise you rip your tyres.
For
beach driving: WHATCH THE TIDES!
A
few extra checks for sand driving:
-
Keep an
eye on the oil temperature, sand driving needs a lot of power.
-
Check
you air filter frequently.
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Survival
By a good
book about survival tips it is worth the investment. The following books
do contain the basic knowledge.
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Safe
Outback Travel Jack Absalom. ISBN 086788 356 1.
-
LP
Australia travel survival kit Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN:086442
233 4.
-
LP
Outback Australia Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN not in possession.
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Explore
Australia by Four Wheel Drive Peter and Kim Wherrett. ISBN 067090442
2.
back to
index
Links to Australia and a map of tracks
in the outback
Links
to Australia and a map of tracks in the outback To
the top or to the Aussie desert experience
page
How
to start a trip