Driving on unsealed roads around Australia - Pictures
say a 1000 words
� We know you know the basics and by now probably well versed and
researched on driving on dirt roads but if not here some helpful
information for your upcoming 4wd camper vacation in Australia.
� We will add more as I remember it from time to time but a lot
here are our experiences and our friends.
The dip in the road - there's a beauty on the
East MacDonnell's past Ross River
� 1. Especially around the Mereenie Loop and East MacDonnell's to
Arltunga watch for what I call the 3 B's "Bulldust Banks and
Holes', 'Blind Dips' and 'Blind Bluffs'
These are when the bank (what a appears to be a small wall of solid
dirt about 1metre high running along side the road at the edge of
the road) on the side of the is actually made up of dense dust not
actually dirt (soil) and if you veer left to bank the car to avoid
an oncoming car you will go straight thru it into the bush.
Secondly likewise are Bulldust Holes is where the road look OK and
solid but a oncoming large hole in the road is filled with dust.
Thirdly are Blind Bluffs actually it's called a few name but this
is a dip in the road that's over 2 meters deep and stretches say
3-20 car lengths and you just can't see the oncoming dip in the
road because of the sun's glare on your windscreen. It happened
to me in 1996 and scared the heck out of me.
Broome to Port Hedland oncoming truckd
| Credits MBrouwer
� 2. Falling asleep or dozing off for a moment at the wheel is common
in the outback. Rule is simple don't drive long distances without
plenty of water and breaks where you get pull over on a designated
roadside stop with plenty of signage to alerts other drivers. Then
look and get out and stretch your legs.
Imagine this massive truck coming at you and just just dozed off
for a second.
� 3. Don't drive after dusk and before dawn in the bush. Camels,
Horses, Wild Turkeys, Wild Feral Dogs, Wild Feral Cats, Deer, Cattle,
Dingos, Foxes, Wallaby's, Kangaroos (Roo's), Crocodiles (yep 2 have
been apparently seen on Darwin roads over the years), flocks of
birds such as Galah's and Kitty Hawks (especially during and after
the great Burn Offs on the Arnhem Highway where Marg and myself
witness seeing 100's of Kitty Hawks as we call them circling and
diving on the bush and road in September trip was 2008) and more
often use the road after dark. My mate Barrie hit 3 Roo's within
a 10klm stretch near Timber Creek back in the 2000's he was going
out to fix some remote IT stations.
Cattle ignoring their own sign | Iconic
hey credits MBrouwer | Thanks
Martjin Marg and I hope to see you again see
� 4. Road Trains are MASSIVE see below in David's and Carmela's
photo. Suggest you forget about overtaking them and pull over and
let them get well ahead of you instead.
These road monsters are renowned to make your hair
stand on end as they pass you. This was on the Stuart Highway and
David and Carmela our close friends were smart enough to pull over
for it to go by
� 5. The gum trees are not like Pine trees. The gum's branches and
loose leaf sway with a gentle breeze and with the glaring sun pouring
in behind it does mesmerize the driver.
� 6. Backseat drivers and children can and will distract the best
driver; so please let the driver concentrate on the road and surroundings.
� 7. Don't drive fast it's not like a highway when you break we
find we need a lot more traction and road to pull up as it's unsealed
and you can go into a skid. Also taking a bend please don't get
distracted by the others in the 4wd and concentrate. On sharper
bends slow right down and take the corner carefully.
Thanks Mr A Fox for this crossing the Bungle Bungle
River - a fantastic client of ours
� 8. Notice 'BUSH CARE' folks would wait and watch and help bringing
the different travellers thru the crossing.
Turkey Creek Roadhouse | Credits M.Brouwer our client
� 9. Fuel up every stop just to be sure you have adequate fuel
� 9. Water up with bottle water every stop just to be sure you have
adequate water and drinks - see below the Buntine doesn't have a
Milk Bar (as we say) on every corner as the corner can be 100Klm
away
Buntine Highway 4wd trip| Credits JRSpeld
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Depends which local you chat too it's either the
Tanami road or Tanamia track or just the Tanami | Credits SYemini
� See
all our Top Iconic 2wd and 4wd routes in Australia
Western Australia north from Perth
� travel-plan-4wd-trip-to-coral-bay-karijini-from-perth-to-broome
� travel-plan-4wd-trip-to-coral-bay-karijini-exmouth-ningaloo-reef-from-perth-and-return
� travel-plan-4wd-trip-to-monkey-mia-kalbarri-pinnacles-from-perth-loop
Western Australia east from Broome
� travel-plan-4wd-trip-broome-to-broome-on-the-gibb-river-road
� travel-plan-4wd-trip-broome-to-darwin-10-days
Northern Territory known as The Top End Australia from
Darwin
� travel-plan-3-day-4wd-self-drive-itinerary-from-darwin-route
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(reverse route)
� Darwin
to Alice Springs
� Darwin
to Kakadu
Northern Territory Australia from Alice Springs
� travel-plan-7-day-alice-springs-to-uluru-kata-tjuta-kings-canyon-mereenie-loop-macdonnell-ranges
� travel-plan-14-day-alice-springs-to-darwin-on-the-binns-track
Road side help - Real outback friendly service
with a touch of Aussie humour | Credit M.Brouwer
Notes:
� Fatigue causes many crashes in Australia.
� When driving long distances, stop and rest every 1-2 hours.
� Try to have someone sit beside you to keep you company driving
as our NT roads can be long and straight. (But not distract you)
� Alcohol and driving don�t mix.
� The blood alcohol level is 0.05.
� Seat belts and child restraints must be worn by all vehicle
occupants.
� Always carry a copy of your driver�s license in English.
� Take plenty of water on all outback trips;
� Check distances and driving conditions; and ensure you have
adequate petrol at all times.
� Remember, rule �Number 1� in the Outback: if your car breaks
down you MUST stay with your vehicle for safety reasons.
� Don�t drive after dark.
� Parks & Wildlife Commission Northern Territory provides information
on Camping, National Parks, and Permits.
� Ensure you are informed re the safety of swimming in the �Top
End� � many areas are not safe to swim due to crocodiles.
�
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