There are two important facts to keep in mind about travel in the outback: it has few inhabitants and little water.
get good quality maps and plan your route.
tell someone where you're going and when and where you should arrive; they should have instructions to raise the alarm if you do not appear soon after your intended arrival time;
carry least 10 litres of water (in several small containers) per person per day, including an allowance for any days you may be delayed or broken down.
take food and any prescribed medication needed to last several days
take matches or a lighter, which can be used in an emergency to provide warmth and indicate your whereabouts
travel in a recently serviced, reliable, sturdy vehicle that has good ground clearance; and
have clothes that can protect against cold, as well as clothes suitable for extremely hot weather.
Keep in mind also that the outback is large, and you can easily end up twenty-hours drive away from emergency help, or isolated entirely in the case of rain.
In the event of an accident or mechanical problems, do not leave your vehicle, as it is easier to locate from the air than a person or people on foot. If you leave your vehicle you are likely to be the subject of a sad news story about the rescue services finding your car and not you. In any case, your vehicle is where you're storing your water.
You should also think about carrying a satellite phone or other means of contacting emergency services. Travelling in a group or in convoy with other travellers gives an extra vehicle in case of breakdown, and an extra set of hands to get you out of a tricky situation.
You should get local advice in each town about your journey and the condition of the roads ahead and the suitability of your vehicle, as road conditions can change. The police and roadhouses are good sources of information. Be careful - even locals die out there.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Northern Territory
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Northern Territory - updated May 2024
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Northern Territory Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
