DESTINATIONS
Places to go, things to see and do. We’re very lucky to live in a country where it’s possible to use a 4WD’s potential to explore nearby and remote Outback areas. We give you the low-down on trip preparation and planning and suggest places you might like to visit. There are also useful hints on what you need to take with you and how to keep safe in the bush.
If you don’t own a 4WD, camping equipment, camper trailer, campervan, motorhome or caravan, hiring is a great option. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Aussie Road Trip now.
There’s also some fun stuff: tall bush tales and some interesting characters we’ve met along the way.
LATEST ARTICLES
BUSH CHARACTERS, YARNS & POETRY
Bush Poetry: Travel ’round Australia
Come travel ‘round Australia, and see its wondrous sights
From the outback to the cities, from the daytime to the nights
Where the splendour of our country, will swell your heart with pride
And fill your eyes with beauty, that will keep you satisfied.
Character: Denis Bartell
Denis Bartell is one of Australia’s modern pioneers and was justifiably awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the general division, in 1989. Dick Smith, founder of Australian Geographic Magazine, presented him with its Adventurer of the Year Award Gold Medallion 1994.
EVERYTHING LITTLE TOWN HAS SOMETHING
140 Years of the Birdsville Races
As this iconic outback town saddles up for the 140th anniversary of the Birdsville Races in September 2022, we take a look back at some of the historic moments, milestones and characters that have made this regular event Australia’s oldest and most iconic outback race.
Karratha – February 2019
The City of Karratha has been transformed in recent years, becoming one of Australia’s most liveable regional cities, set in a beautiful natural landscape.
HIRE – 4WD, CAMPERS & CAMPING GEAR
Camper trailer hire for holiday or pre-purchase
Many people are unsure of their exact camper trailer needs, or they simply want to enhance their camping flexibility by hiring a trailer when required. Some others are unsure if the camping life is for them and hiring a camper trailer is a much cheaper exercise than buying one and having to sell it if the experience isn’t a good one!
Motorhome and camper relocations
Hiring a motorhome can be an expensive business, especially when you factor in relocation fees and the onerous charges the major hire companies like to impose, but there is a cheaper alternative for those who are flexible with dates and timing for a motorhome trip.
OUTDOORS HEALTH & SAFETY
Crocodile safety
At OTA we have a simple rule: north of the Tropic of Capricorn, we never swim in creeks, rivers, billabongs or … the sea. We’re also very careful how close we camp to any stretch of water.
Compact fire extinguishers explained
There are several brands of compact, non-pressurised fire extinguishers available and all seem to offer a much more convenient means of protection than traditional extinguishers.
PLANNING & PACKING
Beware Google Maps in the bush
Travel and Study – a guide to doing both
Many people seem to think travelling is a luxury reserved for later in life when you have no commitments: academic, professional, familial, or otherwise. For a student, the thought of travelling seems particularly daunting as you’re likely in a constant state of catch-up with assignments and exams while living on a tight budget.
TAG-ALONG TOURS & TOUR OPERATORS
Back to the Track
A Lake Macquarie (NSW) couple has returned from an outback odyssey of more than 11,000 kilometres in a World War II-era truck, driving into the past and racing against time. We’re indebted to the South Australian chapter of the Wartime Vehicle Conservation Group for permission to publish this unusual Outback Travel story.
Part-rail-coach, part off-road-bus
This 2022 tour bus is fitted with a road-rail wheel kit that allows it to run on historic railway tracks and on roads and bush tracks in Tasmania’s wild west.
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Great Central Road
The great east-west challenge is the Gunbarrel ‘Highway’, but years of neglect make it a severe 4WD vehicle test. The Great Central Road used to be an easier run from Uluru to The West, but the NT section has always been in worse condition than the WA part.
Visiting dinosaur country
For many years it seemed that Australia wasn’t home to many large dinosaurs, but discoveries in recent years have revealed the exact opposite. The discovery of the fifth-largest dinosaur ever found and now fondly known as ‘Cooper’ (Australotitancooperensis) has put Australia right up there.
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