The Australian Outback is one of the most challenging environments on the planet and a place that attracts travellers looking for adventures. But the last thing you should do is head of into it blindly... Before you decide to leave your hostel in Kings Cross and just drive across Australia on some romantic adventure quest, you need to make some plans - The Outback is huge and it’s seen many a tourist drive out unprepared, only to show them no mercy and leave them stranded. If you are planning a longer drive into the Outback - or even hoping to get right across Australia, you really need to spend time in the hostel perfecting your plan. Here’s a few tips for you to take on board: Get a reliable vehicle Ok, it’s a very obvious tip, but you’d be surprised the number of gap year students who roll up and buy the first VW Camper they see that looks good. A VW Camper has a good reputation, but it’s not about what’s said about the model - and certainly not how cool it looks - it’s about the individual vehicle in question. Look for the service history on anything you consider. Also check when it was last serviced, look out for large gaps in the servicing schedule, and get to know when it’s due its next major service. Take advice There’s lots of people who’ve done this before, so seek out some solid advice. Perhaps you’re underestimating the distances? Maybe the map you are using is out of date and there are fewer service stations than you first thought? Who knows? Just take a little time and listen to others who’ve been there before you. Plan, Plan, Plan There are only so many places you’ll have time to visit, so making a plan and sticking to it is vital. Perhaps work it out by number of miles per day, but also remember to always a factor in rest days as it’s unlikely that you’ll ever want to drive 7 days a week. Pack prepared You should have enough food, water and supplies to last at least 24 hrs. This means that you’ve a reserve of 24 hrs on top of your daily supplies. The key thing to getting your packing right is to prepare for the unexpected. This means taking spares, carrying even more water than you calculated - the same goes for pretty much everything that goes into your vehicle. Learn basic skills It’ll really help if you know how to change a tyre, do basic servicing on your vehicle, and read a map. Yes, you can plot routes that keep you close to garages and mechanics, but should you get a flat on the side of the road, it’s going to be largely down to you to repair it! Share your route Perhaps the best safety measure you can take is to share your route. You can do this in many ways - the simplest being to tell your parents or relatives. You can also make sure you update your location via social media as your go.
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