The Outback is one of the most unique and exciting places to visit. Many people choose to explore it by road-tripping, and if you are a woman looking to make a solo trip in this incredible area, here are a few things you should remember. 

What to Pack

Beyond your essentials like clothes, water, vapes, food, etc., you should have a few extra things in your car before you start your trip. Firstly, the weather can be extreme; therefore, you need clothing and gear for very hot and very cold temperatures.

Building on water and food can create enormous distances between stops, and you should not only stock up on water and food at these stops but also have a small emergency stockpile.

Prepare Your Vehicle

The Outback may have many paved roads, but that doesn’t mean they are roads that your car can handle. While you don’t have to do much preparation, it is important to ensure you have a few things with you.

A spare tire, or two if you can fit them, a wheel jack, jumper cables, and a car first-aid kit are all essentials you should ensure you have before you set off.

Have a Set Schedule

When traveling alone, it is important to have a set schedule so your family and local contacts can track you and become aware if there are any issues. Many parts of the Outback don’t have phone signals, and therefore, it can be difficult to update people.

This schedule should include all of your stops, the distances between stops, and the approximate time it would take to get to each stop. Share this schedule with your family and any local contacts you may have, and contact them via your phone or satellite phone when you reach your stop.

Be Ready for the Worst-Case Scenario

While this may sound extreme, the Outback is an extreme place. No matter how well you plan your trip, there is still a chance of ending up in an emergency. Therefore, you need to be fully prepared for that.

This means having some camping gear, extra food, extra fuel, battery packs, and everything else you may need to make it through a couple of days without any help. It is important to remember that there are large parts of the Outback that can take several hours, if not a day, to reach. 

The Roads

As mentioned, the roads in the Outback are not always the safest to drive, and there are several dangers you need to be aware of. Potholes, rocks, slick areas, etc, can be found across Outback roads. 

This means you need to not only be a proficient driver, but also need to be a super-safe driver that doesn’t rush anywhere, as this will almost always be the cause of an unnecessary puncture, car damage, or even an accident. 

Driving

Speaking of driving, here are a few driving tips you need to remember to ensure you not only drive safely, but that you also don’t need to be stressed the entire time. 

Get Comfortable 

Firstly, you need to get comfortable. You will almost definitely be driving for longer than you have ever driven before, and you need to be comfortable with the car you are driving, and literally comfortable in the drivers seat. 

Rest When Needed

Even if you are in the middle of nowhere, or hours from your next stop, don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to push through even if you are tired. The Outback is dangerous enough when you are wide awake, and that danger is multiplied if you are tired. 

Always add rest stops into your journey when you can stretch your legs, relax and eat for a bit, or have a quick nap. 

Driving at Night

Unless you are incredibly familiar with where you are, it is almost always a bad idea to drive in the dark. From wildlife, to the weather and the not-so-safe roads, driving at night can be incredibly dangerous. 

Therefore, plan your journeys in a way that ensures you reach a rest stop or a safe place to spend the night each day you are on the road. 

Drive Sensibly 

Lastly, one of the most important things to remember is to simply drive sensibly. Follow the speed limits, don’t take unnecessary risks, stop when you need to stop, etc. Driving in the Outback is all about making the best decisions to ensure both you and your car are safe. 

Overall Safety

Finally, it is important to understand the safety of the Outback and Australia as a whole. The country is safe with low crime rates, but it is the landscape and the wildlife that can make it dangerous. 

The weather can be harsh, and poisonous snakes and spiders, dangerous animals, etc, are all things you need to be aware of and, when possible, avoid. 

In conclusion, taking a solo road trip across the Outback can be an incredibly fun and interesting holiday that almost anyone can and should do. As long as you remember the above points and tips, you are sure to have an unforgettable holiday.