Before leaving, always notify a friend or somebody responsible that you are leaving, and what time you expect to arrive. Ask them to wait a reasonable time for you to contact them after your arrival at your destination before they notify authorities you are missing. Be sure to contact them to let them know you have arrived safely.
Make sure your car is roadworthy and you have basic spare parts, a tow rope, extra spare tyre and an adequate tool kit.
Be sure you have adequate supplies of water and food in case you get isolated by flash floods.
Be sure you have adequate fuel and spare oil and brake fluid to carry you an additional several hundred kilometres. Low gear work on slippery surfaces or through sand can use up petrol rapidly. Brake lines and oil sumps can be easily holed by loose rocks on unsealed surfaces.
Do not leave the main road or leave your vehicle if you break down, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem. Yor car provides shelter and is easier spotted by searchers than a walking figure. These days there are usually a couple of dozen vehicles a day using outback tracks and you shouldn't need to wait too long before help comes.
Leave areas where you might camp as you found them. Take your rubbish with you or put it in a bin if it is provided.
Do not use soap or detergents in
outback waterholes.
Make sure any fires you use are properly extinguished.
Always close gates you may have to open.
Campers in National Parks or Conservation areas will need a permit.
SOME
TIPS IF YOU ARE REALLY STUCK:
In the event you are stranded in an
isolated area and are aware there is a search.
Build a mound of sand or stones and break your rear vision mirror. Place
the pieces around the mound facing as many directions as possible. The
reflection from the mirror could be easier spotted from a distance. Use
another mirror to signal in the direction of any plane you may hear.
If you have destroyed a tyre beyond use, pouring
petrol on it and setting alight will create a pall of black smoke which
can be seen from quite a distance.
If there are rocks or other materials available you can use them to make a
large S.O.S. on the ground near your car.
Water can usually be obtrained by digging a hole and stretching transparent plastic across the top, sealing it around the edges with dirt. A small pebble placed in the centre will direct condensed moisture from the earth to a container placed under the pebble low point.
More Information
- You may of course extend this selfdrive and combine this selfdrive with other Selfdrives or Tours. Ask for a Quotation for your specific holiday plans.
- If you need more information on the hotels in this self-drive, click on the hotel name or go to: Hotels & Resorts in the Northern Territory