While visiting Queensland, it is important that you are aware of the rules, when you are traveling through the outback. Before you enter the road, you are required to contact the police and let them know where you are heading. Once you reach your destination, you are then required to make another phone call to the police and inform them of your arrival. This is an important procedure, so that if you are not at your destination and the approximate time of your arrival, they police will be able to easily find you. It is also important to know that although you can travel these roads with a car, the best choice of vehicle is a 4 WD.
When you are traveling in the outback, it is also important to have any spare equipment, for your car, that you may need. If you were to brake down, the area is so remote that it can take hours for a tow truck to reach you, and it can also be costly. Another item that you should have is a high frequency radio transmitter, since the cell phone reception is not always reliable.
Another essential item, that you should always have on you, is water. It is recommended that you carry at least 20 litres of water per person, as well as an ample supply of food. There are also certain times of the year that makes a road more easily traveled on then others. From November to March, it is not recommended that you travel Queensland’s south west, due to an abundance of dust that can increase mechanical problems. While in the North, it is not recommended that you travel during the rainy season, as the roads tend to get flooded.
Speaking to the local police is the best way to ensure you are properly traveling, as they will advise you on the open tracks, and the suitable means of transportation. It is also a great idea to join the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ). This service offers you emergency breakdown coverage, up to $95.00 a year, and a 24 hour phone service. Joining the RACQ is the best way to ensure prompt roadside assistance, and if the problem is not able to be fixed, they will arrange a tow. RACQ will also provide you with regional maps, and sell a range of items that will assist you with your travels. You will also be able to obtain weather and road conditions, through the RACQ.
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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