Travellers Auto Barn - Australia Driving Tips

Travellers Auto Barn have been renting and selling cars and campervans to backpackers since 1993. We got them to give us the lowdown on driving in Australia.

Keeping an eye on your engine
Check your water and oil levels daily - before you get started, and if you are driving more than 500kms in one day, check your oil and water at every refuelling stop. You must take care not to overheat your car so make sure the temperature gauge is always working and keep and eye on it at all times. If the car is hot… STOP!!! Do not continue driving.

DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT!!
Driving at night is extremely hazardous. The most dangerous time is actually just before dusk (sunset) and just after Dawn. Most outback roads in Australia are unfenced. Kangaroos are the main concern, they can be present in large numbers at times. They bounce around quite erractically and if a kangaroo decides its going to commit suicide by diving in front of your car then there is very little you can do about it.

Wild horses, Camels, Cattle and other livestock all wander across roads at night.
Wedge Tail Eagles picking over the remains of roadkill are quite stubborn daytime obstacles.

In the Snowy Mountain region, Wombats are a problem, they are a large burrowing Marsupial built like a small fridge.

A simple rule of thumb is that if you see more dead animals than you see other cars during your daytime drive, then it would be a pretty good idea to pull over and make camp for the night around 4.30 pm. Travellers Auto Barn STRONGLY ADVISES all motorists not to drive at night and in particular dusk and dawn.

Caution is also advised on overcast days where the treeline or shrub line comes right up to the side of the road.

It's been said that driving behind large trucks protects you from hitting a Kangaroo. WRONG!!

Bull Bars/Roo Bars
These protective bars attached to the front of many Australian vehicles arouse quite a bit of interest amongst our customers. We get many requests asking if we can arrange to have them fitted. The vehicles for sale, that already have a bulbar fitted, usually sell quite fast. This is about the only advantage of a bullbar to most overseas travellers.

If you have an accident involving an animal, whether you have a bullbar or not, it will ruin your holiday- its that simple. People who live in the outback sometimes must drive at night, that's why they fit bullbars.

Ask yourself this, if you were to hit an animal at night, whether it's a rental car or your own car, could you afford the consequences?

The consequences could be far more serious than simply a damaged car. People's lives are at risk.

Left hand Drive
Australians drive on the Left Hand Side of the road. Most accidents attributable to overseas visitors crossing to the wrong side of the road usually occur at the beginning of your trip. Please drive carefully.

Speeding/Speed Limit
Speed limit on most Australian Highways is 100km/h, freeways are 110km/h and in the Northern Territory there is no speed limit on highways. Please always stay within the speed limit for your safety and that of others.
Speed cameras are in use on Australian Highways. Speeding fines are expensive. $400 is common. If you are renting, bear in mind you are liable to pay these fines. Which may not come through the system until you have finished your rental and returned the car. The last thing you need is to see your credit card bill with an unexpected speeding fine appearing on it.

Please note: As Travellers Auto Barn now spends considerable hours in dealing with fines, we have implemented a $50 administration fee for handling of all fines that arrive at our offices.

Road Conditions & Outback driving
We get a lot of enquiries from people who perceive the outback as 4WD only territiory, when in fact its possible to travel by conventional 2WD vehicle to nearly all the popular tourist destinations.

At most Fuel stations or ROADHOUSES as they are more commonly known, you can get fuel, food, drinks, phone, accommodation, shower, ice and basic mechanical assistance. Prices for most items out here are above what you would expect to pay in the city (except perhaps for beer which is seen as essential for life).

Many of the recognised tracks are also capable of being tackled by 2WD vehicles, the Ford Falcon in particular is excellent in this regard as it has about the best ground clearance and the steering and suspension were designed with Australian conditions in mind. Futhermore, this vehicle is a very common car throughout Australia, so parts (new & used) are plentiful meaning it can be easily serviced in even the most remote places.

Before attempting any unsealed roads in any car, including a 4WD, check with the relevant authorities.

Ring the local police station at the town you are heading to and get their opinion of the road.

Most of these roads become completely impassable when it rains to all but the most determined 4WD drivers.

Its all well and good to know that your car is capable of tackling some of these dusty, bumpy and loooong outback tracks........ but are you? Hour after hour of bone rattling roads in extreme heat, dust, and flies can soon become tiresome and what started out as an adventure turns into a test of endurance.

Distances Between Major Cities
Australia is a large country and in order for you to enjoy your holiday we have provided the following guide on minimum rental periods between our depots. It is far better to travel at a leisurely pace in order to see and experience the many attractions of Australia rather than to spend each day driving long distances. Aim to cover 150 - 200 kilometers per day and you will experience Australia in comfort.

Aboriginal Land
Some of the most spectacular areas of Australia are owned by the indigenous Aboriginal people. Various tribes own different areas. To travel through Aboriginal land you will generally need a permit, which are available through the government of the state the Aboriginal land is in (generally the Northern Territory or South Australia).

Wet Season Vs Dry Season Conditions
The Northern half of Australia experiences two distinct season. The Wet and The Dry.

Most travel agents will tell you to avoid these regions during the Wet, but this is when the rivers and waterfalls are flowing and there are bargains to be had as its low season for most travel operators.

There is the risk of local flooding and the humidity can be well into the 90%'s. Local flooding means roads can be blocked from a few days for anything up to a week. Longer than this is uncommon.
Cape York is inaccessaible during the wet as the many rivers that criss - cross the Cape can not be crossed.

Spares
Many people are keen to take along a few spare hoses, fan belts and some assorted tools. That's great if you know what to do with them!

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