Gulf Savannah Visitor Guide

Australia’s Adventure Drive - www.savannahway.com.au 9 Self Drive Outback Driving Tips Driving on narrow sealed and unsealed roads will involve taking more care than normal and the following tips will assist you in having a safe and pleasant trip. Some sealed roads are narrow and when passing oncoming vehicles, especially trucks, you should drop two wheels off the sealed section and onto the gravel shoulder when approaching the oncoming vehicle. By doing this and also slowing down, you will greatly reduce the chances of rocks damaging your car and windscreen. Some larger trucks, especially road trains, will expect you to move off the bitumen entirely as they are less manoeuvrable. Be aware of rough edges and drop-offs as you move off, and onto the bitumen edge. Take it gently and without swerving to avoid losing control of your vehicle. If further braking is necessary, light pedal pressure is required. The condition of unsealed roads can change quickly in wet weather or where large numbers of road trains and cattle trucks use the road. Unsealed roads can be slippery and rough for some time even after the weather has cleared. On dusty roads extreme caution is required as visibility can be seriously reduced. Maintain a speed and road position that would be expected of you by other drivers. Bulldust can also conceal deep potholes and ruts so a reduced speed is advisable. If you are taking it slowly, please allow other vehicles, especially commercial transport, to pass you at the earliest opportunity. Many outback roads are unfenced and wildlife and straying stock feed beside the road at sunset and sunrise to take advantage of the “green pick”, the extra grass that grows from burning regrowth and water run-off of the road surface. Kangaroos in particular are unpredictable - if one does jump in front of you avoid the temptation to over-react. An animal is often less damaging to your vehicle and its occupants than a roll-over. Emus will often pace a vehicle, running alongside it, however when they begin to tire they may swerve across in front of the vehicle. Night driving is generally ill-advised and is the time when most accidents involving livestock occur. Darker breeds of cattle are difficult to see even if standing in the middle of the road and your peripheral vision is significantly reduced. Many Gulf roads run east-west and driving when the sun is low on the horizon makes clear vision impossible. If you are driving in a westerly direction, plan to reach your destination by 4pm and easterly departures should not be commenced until the rising sun has climbed well above the horizon. To assist the visibility of on-coming drivers who are travelling into a setting or rising sun, turn on your vehicle headlights. The concentration required in outback driving can be very fatiguing and a 15 minute break at two hourly intervals is recommended. Have a walk, splash your face, stretch, talk to someone. Helpful passengers will keep you chatting on long drive stretches to stay alert and pass the time.