is not a single desert or location. The term is used to identify any area that is remote and mostly uninhabited.

of Australia is classified as arid or semi-arid, receiving less than 500 mm of rain each year.

of Australia’s population live in this area.

Great Victoria Desert (424,400 km2/163,862 mi2) Great Sandy Desert (284,993 km2/110,036 mi2) Tanami Desert (184,500 km2/71,236 mi2) Simpson Desert (176,500 km2/68,147 mi2) Gibson Desert (156,000 km2/60,232 mi2) Little Sandy Desert (111,500 km2/43,050 mi2) Strzelecki Desert (80,250 km2/30,985 mi2) Sturt Stony Desert (29,750 km2/11,486 mi2) Tirari Desert (15,250 km2/5,888 mi2) Pedirka Desert (1,250 km2/483 mi2) The Nullarbor Plain (270,000 km2/104,248 mi2)

Tanami

Great Sandy

Gibson

Great Victoria

Simpson

Strzelecki

Sturt Stony

Nullarbor

Little Sandy

Tirari

Pedirka

Make up a combined 1,734,393 km²/669,653 mi²

That’s enough area to fit

(Australia's Largest City by Area = 8,806 km²)

(1,388,225,171)

SUMMER (DEC – FEB)

AUTUMN (MAR – MAY)

WINTER (JUN – AUG)

SPRING (SEP – NOV)

Although the averages seem tolerable, temperatures can range from -10°C to 50°C. April to August are the best times for Outback travel.

Aboriginal Lands Travel off designated highways requires

a permit which can be obtained from the appropriate land council.

Sacred Sites Some sites are protected by law and carry heavy

penalties for trespassing.

Pets With varying weather

conditions, dangerous wildlife and National Park limitations,

it is best to leave your animals at home.

The highways that lead you through the Outback are: Stuart Highway, Eyre Highway, Barkly and Flinders Highway, Victoria and Great Northern Highway.

Don’t rely on satellite navigation and GPS services in these remote locations to find rest stops with fuel and food. Plan ahead and bring a map.

These highways include many

roadhouses with fuel and food.

Check your vehicle's battery, oil, fluid levels and conditions of your tyres, including the spare. A heavy load on the roof rack can greatly increase the chance for rollovers.

Tell your friends or family where you’re going and

when you will return.

Ask the local police about the conditions of the roads. If you drive a 4x4 vehicle, read the manual or ask the rental agent how to activate four-wheel drive. If possible travel with other tourists; a caravan of at least two vehicles is safer than travelling alone.

  Blankets   Canned food   Cooler   First aid kit   Hat with neck

protection   Insect repellant   Matches & lighter   Sleeping bag or tent   Sun protection

In Australia, the incidence of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world. Two to three times the rates

in Canada, the US and the UK.

  Water supplies   Car jack   Flares   Jumper leads   Maps, compass, GPS   Satellite phone or

high-frequency radio   Small shovel   Tool kit   Tow rope

The loss of just 2 litres of body fluid, which in hot climates can happen in under three hours, can impair brain

function by 25 percent.

Enough for Reserve & Radiator

(20 Litres for emergency, 6 Litres per person per day)

Don’t drive at dusk or dawn because animals wander into the roadway and are hard to see. Avoid the temptation to swerve to avoid hitting animals; this could cause your vehicle to roll off the road. Brake and beep your horn until they pass.

Many roads are unsealed and can lead to a blinding wall of dust, pot holes or slippery mud patches.

If you cannot see the road in front of you, pull to the side, turn on your hazard lights and wait for the dust to settle. Then get out of your car and clean your windshield.

Take a 15-minute break every 2 hours of travel. Avoid driving more than 10 hours each day. If you start feeling tired, stop as soon as possible.

Around 20% of fatal road accidents involve driver fatigue.

Many roads will seriously strain your body and your vehicle’s suspension. Do not drive quickly over corrugated roads because you will have very little control.

Driver’s Fatigue

Road Corrugations http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/summaries/fatigue-statistics

Although classified as arid, flooding does occur across the Outback every year. Do not attempt to cross closed roads as it can lead to large fines or worse.

• In the Outback, some roads only see one car a week! • Do not wander from your vehicle • Place reflective items on nearby trees and rocks • Open your bonnet to clearly show you are in trouble • Conserve your food and energy • Do not sip your water; drink a cup each time • If you gather water, boil it before drinking

Breaking Down

Rain

Saltwater Crocodile • They bear the title ‘saltwater’ but also

swim in freshwater rivers and streams. • Stay away from the edge of waters and

remain wary of deep or muddy areas. • Do not walk across logs or overhanging objects

as crocodiles can and will leap to attack. • Do not leave food scraps near your campsite

and under no circumstance try to feed one.

Snakes • While seven of the 10 most poisonous snakes

live in Australia, they are easily avoidable. •  Check inside blankets and around coolers. •  If you are bitten, try to remember the snake’s appearance

so medical professionals can quickly administer an antivenin. •  Contrary to popular belief, do not cut the bite or try

to suck out the venom – this can lead to infection. •  Bandage a large area on and around the bite to slow drainage

from the lymphatic system. Do not over-tighten the bandage! •  Keep activity as low as possible and seek medical help immediately.

Redback Spider • These spiders prefer dry, warm weather. • The male is only about one-third the size

of the female and is not very dangerous. • A bite from a female rarely causes serious injury

to adults but can cause severe discomfort. •  If bitten, keep a cool ice pack on skin to ease pain.

Cattle • Take caution while driving near cattle ranches. • Cows are not as fierce like crocodiles,

but collision with one could be fatal. • Remember that you’re visiting the homes of

many animals. Don’t risk your safety by feeding, petting or waiting for them to pose for pictures.

Note that the emergency service line in Australia is reached by dialing 000.

Write an SOS message using sticks and rocks. Make the letters large enough to be viewed from the sky and not blow away during a dust storm.

If you can safely contain a fire, create as much smoke as possible by burning wet branches.

Write down the date, names, ages and medical conditions of every person in your party.

SOURCES http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/ http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/aboutmelbourne/statistics/pages/melbournesnapshot.aspx http://au.totaltravel.yahoo.com/travel-ideas/holiday-types/outback/a/-/16662397/top-ten-outback-attractions/ http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/Communications/Safe-Outback-Travel/ http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/outdoor/bush-survival-skills-guide-to-staying-alive.html

While there are many sights to see in the Australian Outback, from underground towns

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coober_Pedy

to breath-taking views http://au.totaltravel.yahoo.com/travel-ideas/holiday-types/outback/g/-/

16661967/1/australias-best-outback-sights/

always respect nature.