Outback travel essentials

Much of Western Australia is remote. In the Pilbara, Kimberley, Gascoyne, Goldfields and desert regions, towns, fuel and help can be hundreds of kilometres apart, mobile coverage is limited and temperatures can be extreme. With good preparation, remote travel is safe and deeply rewarding. Without it, minor problems can become emergencies.

This guide covers what to carry, how to communicate, vehicle preparation, heat safety, permits, biosecurity rules and what to do if something goes wrong.

Plan your trip

• Research your route, distances, fuel stops and road conditions.
• Leave a trip plan with someone you trust, including your route, where you're staying and when you expect to arrive. Tell them when you've arrived.
• Check weather forecasts and warnings, park alerts and road closures.
• Allow extra time for delays.

Water, food and fuel

Water. Carry plenty of drinking water, more than you expect to use, plus a reserve in case of breakdown. In hot weather, people can lose large amounts of fluid through sweat. Store water in more than one container in case one leaks.

Food. Carry enough food for your trip plus a few extra days, including non-perishable items.

Fuel. Fill up at every opportunity, know your vehicle's real range and carry spare fuel in approved containers on remote routes.

Communication

Mobile coverage is limited to towns and some highways in much of regional WA.

• Personal locator beacon (PLB). Sends a distress signal via satellite to rescue authorities. Register it with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
• Satellite messenger. Lets you send messages and your location, and often call for help.
• Satellite phone. Allows voice calls from almost anywhere.
• UHF CB radio. Useful for talking to other vehicles and road trains nearby.

Know how to use your devices before you leave, and keep them charged.

Vehicle preparation

• Get your vehicle serviced before a long trip.
• Check tyres, including the spare, and carry two spares on remote unsealed roads.
• Carry a tyre repair kit, tyre pressure gauge and compressor.
• Carry basic spares, tools, a jack and base plate, and know how to use them.
• Check whether your vehicle and hire agreement allow unsealed roads.
• Don't overload your vehicle; know its weight limits.

Heat safety

Heat can be deadly.

• Avoid strenuous activity in the hottest part of the day. Walk early in the morning.
• Drink water regularly.
• Wear a hat, loose clothing and sunscreen.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
• Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.

If something goes wrong

• Breakdown. Stay with your vehicle. It provides shade and is easier to find.
• Lost. Stop, stay calm and stay where you are if you can.
• Emergency. Call 000 if you have coverage. Activate your PLB if your life is in danger and you can't get help another way.
• Conserve water and energy. Stay in the shade during the day.

Permits for Aboriginal lands

Much of Western Australia's remote land is Aboriginal land. Entry permits are required to travel through many areas, and some communities are closed to visitors. Some communities welcome visitors for cultural tours, camping or fishing, with bookings or permits. Check requirements with the relevant authority or community before you travel.

Biosecurity and quarantine

Western Australia has strict biosecurity rules to protect its agriculture and environment. Many fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, honey and other items can't be brought into WA from other states. Quarantine checkpoints operate on major road entries, and items may be checked at airports. Check the current rules before you travel. Within WA, some regions also have restrictions on moving certain items.

Fire and floods

• In bushfire season, check Emergency WA for warnings and total fire bans. Don't light fires on total fire ban days.
• In the north's wet season, floods can close roads for days or weeks. Never drive into floodwater.

Common mistakes

• Relying on mobile phones for communication.
• Carrying too little water.
• Leaving your vehicle after a breakdown.
• Travelling without telling anyone your plans.
• Driving through floodwater.

Travelling with children and pets

Plan shorter driving days with children, and pack extra water, snacks and entertainment. Pets aren't allowed in most national parks, and baits for feral animals are laid in many areas, which can be deadly for dogs. Check rules before taking pets on a remote trip.

Packing list for remote travel

• First aid kit, plus any personal medications and a copy of prescriptions.
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and long, loose clothing.
• Insect repellent and a fly net.
• Torch or headlamp with spare batteries.
• Maps that work without mobile coverage, such as paper maps or offline maps.
• Spare keys stored securely.
• Rubbish bags, so you can take all your rubbish with you.

Medical care in remote areas

Hospitals and medical services are limited in remote areas, and distances to help can be long. The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides emergency medical care and transport across remote Australia. Carry a good first aid kit, know basic first aid and carry enough medication for your trip plus extra in case of delays.

Travelling in a group

Travelling with a second vehicle adds a margin of safety in remote areas: if one vehicle breaks down or gets stuck, the other can help or go for assistance. Agree on a UHF channel, keep each other in sight on difficult tracks, and regroup at junctions. Even in a group, carry your own water, food and communication device in each vehicle.

Learning skills before you go

Courses in four-wheel driving, remote first aid and basic vehicle maintenance build confidence and can make a real difference if something goes wrong. Practise changing a tyre and using your recovery gear and communication devices before you leave home.

Key points

Remote travel in Western Australia needs careful preparation. Carry plenty of water, food and fuel, carry a PLB or satellite device, leave a trip plan, prepare your vehicle, stay with it if you break down, and check permits, biosecurity rules and warnings before you go.