The Ultimate Australian Outback travel tips
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 15 Jul 2026
Is it your first time to go on an Outback adventure in Australia? Being unprepared can take away the fun on your holiday, so here’s a list of things that you need to know before heading out to The Outback.
Let’s begin with the basics so you will get an idea what to bring and what to expect when you head to the Australian Outback. Then, we will share some driving tips to help you have a smooth trip. Lastly, we have listed in our VroomVroomVroom guide some of the most popular Outback destinations in Australia.
Things you should know about The Outback
Bring several clothes that can protect from the heat of the day. Also, it gets very cold during nighttime, so include a warm set of clothing if you have plans of staying after sunset.
Wear trousers when walking through long grass or bushland. Boots are essential, and make yours comfortable.
Be cautious for the dangerous wildlife found here. Venomous creatures such as spiders, snake and others are plenty, be sure stay away from them. Unless you’re an expert, it’s difficult to tell which ones are poisonous and deadly, to the ones that are not. Hospital is not easily accessible so be very careful.
If by accident you are bitten, wrap a tourniquet or anything that is tight enough above the bitten area. Stay calm and focused, and see a doctor as soon as possible. Emergency services can be reached by dialing "000" or "112" which is Australia’s primary phone number for assistance in life threatening or critical situations.
Avoid swimming in waterholes or rivers, unless you want to be eaten by huge crocodiles. There are places that have warning signs posted, but also remote places don’t have those. Be very careful and ask information from a tour guide if you have one.
Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and fluids. The heat will make you dehydrated faster. A wise rule to follow is to drink at least 1 litre of liquid for every hour of walking.
Be careful with your lit fire. Before leaving, make sure that you fully extinguish all fires and embers.
Prepare your supplies, from food to water to petrol. There aren’t many places to restock, so it’s best to have it and not use it than need it and not have it.
Check that you have the most recent map so you don’t get lost. Getting lost is no fun at all so be sure to have the most recent map. You can also ask questions with the locals if you have any.
Let someone know where you are. Inform a friend or love one your planned trip and contact them from time to time to let them know things are fine.
Tips for Outback driving
Restricted areas: There are restricted areas across the Outback where rental cars are not permitted to be driven. See our Western Australia restricted areas guide for further information.
Check the condition of your vehicle - Make sure to check the fluids in your car, the air pressure, tyre wear and air filter. Also check if all lights and signals are working and get the oil changed.
Fill up your car when you can - The distance between petrol stations at the Outback is quite far from each other so make sure to fuel up once you pass by one. Fuel is also more expensive outside the main centres.
Don’t drive past the warning signs - They have closed the road for a good reason so don’t try to force your way into it even if that’s your usual route.
Adjust your speed - The roads can get slippery when it rains so make sure to slow down and turn on your headlights if the heavy rain causes poor visibility.
Watch out for Australian Outback animals - Don’t swerve to avoid an animal crossing the road. Instead, slow down, stop, then beep your horn to alert the animal.
Take regular breaks - Long driving can be tiring so make it a point to pull over and stop every two hours. You can do some stretching or even take a power nap.
Avoid driving during sunrise and sunset - There is an east-west orientation in most of the Outback roads in Queensland. Clear vision is impossible when the sun is low thus increasing the chances of hitting another vehicle or an animal. Times to avoid driving are before 7 am and between 4 pm and 5 pm.
Most popular Outback destinations in Australia
Now that you are ready for an Australian Outback adventure, choose which among these destinations you would like to explore on your next holiday.
Uluṟu (previously known as Ayers Rock)
East and West MacDonnell Ranges
Lake Eyre
Palm Valley within the Finke Gorge National Park
Simpson Desert
Australian outback is both lovely and treacherous, but being ready and knowing the basics — including what to do if your rental car breaks down — your trip will be memorable. Learn more about car hire in Australia with VroomVroomVroom’s car rental guides.
Alice Springs and Uluṟu are two of the Outback’s most popular destinations — if you want a ready-made route between them, follow our 8-day itinerary from Adelaide for a stop-by-stop plan.
About the author
Vroom Team
VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.
