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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Driving on unsealed roads
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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
travel-plan-4-day-self-drive-itinerary-from-darwin-to-litchfield-route
travel-plan-4wd-trip-broome-to-darwin-10-days (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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