Friday, July 31, 2009

What To Know While Visiting The Outback

By Jason Hall

If you want to discover the real outback Queensland it is worth knowing that here are a lot of roads that require you to report to police before you leave one end and report to them again when you arrive at your destination. This makes it easier to locate you of you fail to turn up where and when you were expected. Many of these roads can be attempted in a normal car but generally it is less hard-going in a 4WD.

Whichever means of transport you decide upon, it is very important that you are carefully prepared. Carry important spare parts is a good idea as trying to arrange a tow in these remote parts takes a long time and can be very expensive. Its also advisable to travel with a high frequency out-post radio transmitter that is equipped to pick up the Royal Flying Doctor Service bases. Mobile phones cannot be relied upon in such remote areas.

Water is essential you will need to carry quite a lot in the case of a disaster " it is recommended that 20litres per person is sensible and of course food is a good idea too. Most tracks have an idea time of year to travel them. For example in Queenslands south-west, it is not advisable to attempt the tough tracks in summer (November to March) mainly because of the huge amount of dust, which increase mechanical malfunctions. In the North, travelling in the wet season may be impossible due to flooding and mud.

One of the best ways to ensure that you are traveling the proper roads, and are fully prepared for your journey, is to speak with the local police. They will advise you on which tracks are open and what is the suitable car for your travels. Another useful service is the RACQ (Royal Automobile Club of Queensland. When you join, they will cover up to $95 per year, and offer a 24 hour emergency roadside assistance service. If something were to happen, they will promptly arrive and try to correct the situation. If the problem can not be corrected they will arrange towing for you, making them a great asset. RACQ can also provide you with maps, weather and road conditions, and they sell a range of travel and driving products that will help with your travels.

If you do run into trouble, it is VERY important that you stay with your car. Cars are much easier to spot than people in the outback and plenty of travelers have wandered off into the wilderness, dying of thirst long after their abandoned car was found!

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