Top 10 Travel Tips

Arid landscapes are incredibly fragile. They support a wide range of truly unique and amazing plants and animals. Every step off the path and every wheel off the track will have a lasting impact.

Here are 10 top tips to help enjoy your stay and look after the landscape.

1. Check Road Conditions

Outback road conditions can change quickly depending on the weather. Plan for your trip and check road conditions here or call 1300 361 033. Be sure to book ahead for your campsite or accommodation. Visitor information centres can also help with road information and bookings.

2. Keep On the Track

For the safety of this fragile landscape and your vehicle, please keep to designated tracks. It is an offence to drive off established tracks. Soils are fragile and prone to erosion, and plants can be very slow growing. Driving off track can also damage cultural sites.

3. Camp in Designated Areas

Camp only in designated areas or where you have obtained permission by the land manager. Please respect all signs and directions and remember that pastoral properties and buildings are people’s homes and businesses. Please respect their back-yard and camp more than a kilometre away from any buildings.

4. Camp Away from Waterpoints

Camping close to stock watering points disturbs grazing stock and could result in you having a few dozen noisy neighbours joining you at your campsite. Camp more than 500 metres away from these areas. Always seek permission from the land manager before camping on their property.

5. Bring Your Own Firewood

Do not collect wood in outback areas – it is in limited supply and used by wildlife for shelter. Always check fire restrictions and be aware that some national parks do not allow wood fires.

6. Be Mindful of Waste Disposal

Use designated dump points for RV and caravan waste, and take your rubbish to the nearest town facilities for disposal.

7. Use Public Toilets

When possible plan your toilet stops by checking the distance to the next amenities. If toilets are unavailable, dig a deep hole, burn any toilet paper and fill in the hole.

8. Keep Our Water Clean

Water is scarce and our unique plants and animals depend on it. Please do not use soap or detergents in or near waterholes, stock watering points or artesian springs.

9. Watch for Animals on the Road

Kangaroos and emus can come out of nowhere! Avoid a repair bill or getting stranded by keeping your eyes peeled, especially after dusk or before dawn. Be mindful of sheep and cattle grazing near roads.

10. Stay in Contact

Many areas of the Flinders and Outback do not have mobile phone coverage, so UHF radios can be a great way to stay in contact with your convoy. UHF radios are also used by people living and working in the outback. Channels 11-30 are best to use, and in an emergency, Channels 1-8 or 31-38.

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