Outback road trips

An outback road trip is one of the great Australian experiences. It is also a serious undertaking. The difference between an unforgettable journey and a dangerous one is usually preparation: the right route for your vehicle and experience, the right season, and enough water, fuel and communications.

Choosing a route

Sealed highways such as the Eyre Highway across the Nullarbor are suitable for 2WD cars, campervans and caravans. The challenges are distance, fatigue, road trains and wildlife.

Unsealed tracks such as the Oodnadatta Track and Gibb River Road need a high-clearance vehicle, ideally a 4WD, and more preparation. Corrugations, bulldust, creek crossings and closures after rain are common.

Multi-state routes such as the Savannah Way combine both, and can take weeks.

The routes

• The Nullarbor: sealed, about 1,660 km, year-round.
• The Oodnadatta Track: unsealed, about 614 km, cooler months.
• The Gibb River Road: mostly unsealed, dry season only.
• The Savannah Way: about 3,500 km, dry season.

Seasons

In southern and central Australia, the cooler months from about April to October are most comfortable. Summer can bring extreme heat. In the tropical north, the dry season from about May to October is the travel season. The wet brings flooding and road closures.

Vehicles

Match your vehicle to the route. Check your hire agreement, carry two spare tyres on unsealed roads, and know how to change a tyre and check fluids. Lower tyre pressures on corrugated or sandy roads, as advised by your vehicle manufacturer and local guidance, and reinflate on sealed roads.

Fuel and water

Fill up at every opportunity, and know the distance to the next fuel stop. Carry plenty of drinking water: much more than you think you need. Read remote travel safety.

Permits and access

Some routes cross Aboriginal land or national parks that need permits or passes. Check with the relevant land council or park agency.

Checklist

Other great drives

Beyond these four, Australia has many more remote drives: the Stuart Highway through the Red Centre, the Birdsville and Strzelecki tracks in the Channel Country, the Great Central Road between Uluru and Western Australia, which requires permits, and the Old Telegraph Track on Cape York for experienced 4WD travellers. Each has its own season, permits and challenges.

Travelling with a caravan

Many travellers tow caravans on sealed outback highways. Check your rig's weight and setup, drive at a safe speed, watch for crosswinds and give road trains plenty of room. Only off-road caravans should be taken on rough unsealed roads.