General Driving Tips
Keeping an eye on your engine
Check your water and oil levels daily - before you
get started, and if you are driving more than 500kms
in one day, check your oil and water at every refuelling
stop. You must take care not to overheat your car so
make sure the temperature gauge is always working and
keep and eye on it at all times. If the car is hot…
STOP!!! Do not continue driving.
DO NOT DRIVE AT
NIGHT!!
Driving at night is extremely hazardous. The most dangerous
time is actually just before dusk (sunset) and just
after Dawn. Most outback roads in Australia are unfenced.
Kangaroos are the main concern, they can be present
in large numbers at times. They bounce around quite
erractically and if a kangaroo decides its going to
commit suicide by diving in front of your car then there
is very little you can do about it.
 Wild
horses, Camels, Cattle and other livestock all wander
across roads at night.
Wedge Tail Eagles picking over the remains of roadkill
are quite stubborn daytime obstacles.
In the Snowy Mountain region, Wombats are a problem,
they are a large burrowing Marsupial built like a small
fridge.
A simple rule of thumb is that if you see more dead
animals than you see other cars during your daytime
drive, then it would be a pretty good idea to pull over
and make camp for the night around 4.30 pm. Travellers
Auto Barn STRONGLY ADVISES all motorists not to drive
at night and in particular dusk and dawn.
Caution is also advised on overcast days where the
treeline or shrub line comes right up to the side of
the road.
It's been said that driving behind large trucks protects
you from hitting a Kangaroo. WRONG!!
Bull Bars/Roo Bars
These protective bars attached to the front of many
Australian vehicles arouse quite a bit of interest amongst
our customers. We get many requests asking if we can
arrange to have them fitted. The vehicles for sale,
that already have a bulbar fitted, usually sell quite
fast. This is about the only advantage of a bullbar
to most overseas travellers.
If you have an accident involving an animal, whether
you have a bullbar or not, it will ruin your holiday-
its that simple. People who live in the outback sometimes
must drive at night, that's why they fit bullbars.
Ask yourself this, if you were to hit an animal at
night, whether it's a rental car or your own car, could
you afford the consequences?
The consequences could be far more serious than simply
a damaged car. People's lives are at risk.
Left hand Drive
Australians drive on the Left Hand Side of the road.
Most accidents attributable to overseas visitors crossing
to the wrong side of the road usually occur at the beginning
of your trip. Please drive carefully.
Speeding/Speed
Limit
Speed limit on most Australian Highways is 100km/h,
freeways are 110km/h and in the Northern Territory there
is no speed limit on highways. Please always stay within
the speed limit for your safety and that of others.
Speed cameras are in use on Australian Highways. Speeding
fines are expensive. $400 is common. If you are renting,
bear in mind you are liable to pay these fines. Which
may not come through the system until you have finished
your rental and returned the car. The last thing you
need is to see your credit card bill with an unexpected
speeding fine appearing on it.
Please note: As Travellers Auto Barn now spends considerable
hours in dealing with fines, we have implemented a $50
administration fee for handling of all fines that arrive
at our offices.
Road Conditions
& Outback driving
 We
get a lot of enquiries from people who perceive the
outback as 4WD
only territiory, when in fact its possible to travel
by conventional 2WD vehicle to nearly all the popular
tourist destinations.
At most Fuel stations or ROADHOUSES as they are more
commonly known, you can get fuel, food, drinks, phone,
accommodation, shower, ice and basic mechanical assistance.
Prices for most items out here are above what you would
expect to pay in the city (except perhaps for beer which
is seen as essential for life).
Many of the recognised tracks are also capable of
being tackled by 2WD vehicles, the Ford Falcon in particular
is excellent in this regard as it has about the best
ground clearance and the steering and suspension were
designed with Australian conditions in mind. Futhermore,
this vehicle is a very common car throughout Australia,
so parts (new & used) are plentiful meaning it can
be easily serviced in even the most remote places.
Before attempting any unsealed roads in any car, including
a 4WD, check with the relevant authorities.
Ring the local police station at the town you are
heading to and get their opinion of the road.
Most of these roads become completely impassable when
it rains to all but the most determined 4WD drivers.
Its all well and good to know that your car is capable
of tackling some of these dusty, bumpy and loooong outback
tracks........ but are you? Hour after hour of bone
rattling roads in extreme heat, dust, and flies can
soon become tiresome and what started out as an adventure
turns into a test of endurance.
For updates on Road Conditions in OZ
http://www.racq.com.au
in Queensland
http://www.exploroz.com
in South Australia
http://www.dpi.nt.gov.au
in the Northern Territory
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au
in New South Wales
http://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au
in Western Australia
http://www.exploroz.com
in Victoria
No decent feed for Tasmania unfortunately
Distances Between
Major Cities
Australia is a large country and in order for you to
enjoy your holiday we have provided the following guide
on minimum rental periods between our depots. It is
far better to travel at a leisurely pace in order to
see and experience the many attractions of Australia
rather than to spend each day driving long distances.
Aim to cover 150 - 200 kilometers per day and you will
experience Australia in comfort.
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Australia - Europe
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Australia - USA
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You can see how big Australia is when compared to
Europe and the U.S.A.
Click
here for Distance Chart
Aboriginal Land
Some of the most spectacular areas of Australia are
owned by the indigenous Aboriginal people. Various tribes
own different areas. To travel through Aboriginal land
you will generally need a permit, which are available
through the government of the state the Aboriginal land
is in (generally the Northern Territory or South Australia).
For more information please check out the following
links.
Wet Season Vs Dry Season Conditions
 The
Northern half of Australia experiences two distinct
season. The Wet and The Dry.
Most travel agents will tell you to avoid these regions
during the Wet, but this is when the rivers and waterfalls
are flowing and there are bargains to be had as its
low season for most travel operators.
There is the risk of local flooding and the humidity
can be well into the 90%'s. Local flooding means roads
can be blocked from a few days for anything up to a
week. Longer than this is uncommon.
Cape York is inaccessaible during the wet as the many
rivers that criss - cross the Cape can not be crossed.
Spares
Many people are keen to take along a few spare hoses,
fan belts and some assorted tools. That's great if you
know what to do with them!
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