It goes without saying that if you’re about to embark on a four-wheel drive adventure into the Australian outback, then your vehicle needs to be in tip-top shape. So here are a few things to think about before you embark on your adventure:
The vehicle
About three to four weeks before you leave, make sure that you get your vehicle serviced by a professional. You can ask the mechanic to check the vehicle’s exhaust system and see if the suspension is adequate – this may include checking shock absorbers and making sure they’re not leaking – and all lights are functioning.
Spare parts are also important to organise before you leave. No trip is perfect and things can go wrong. If you find out what the weakest parts of your vehicle are, or the oldest, then you can make a calculated assumption that having that spare part may save you from disaster later on in the trip.
Road rules
While it’s okay to be eager about going on your new adventure, it’s important to know the basic road rules of where you’re travelling. First of all, it’s absolutely essential to remain alert at all times while driving and to be completely aware of your surroundings. There may be other people on the road at the same time as you, so be respectful when driving and if you see someone pull over, ask them if they need help.
It’s also important to avoid driving at dusk or dawn, as a lot of animals that live in the outback are nocturnal and will be on their own adventure. Many animals aren’t used to the sound or sight of a four-wheel drive – or any vehicle – so they may get scared and run onto the road.
Plan, plan, plan…and plan some more!
While it helps to be vigilant while driving, it also really pays off to plan your entire journey in advance.
Plan out your journey down to the last, minute detail. Once you’ve done this, you can be more methodical with what essential items you actually need. If you’re only four-wheel driving for a day, bringing five days’ worth of food doesn’t make any sense and will only set you back.
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