Preparing for your 'trip of a lifetime'.

1. Lots of little things
Big Trip Prep
Seminar Hub
Dave Darmody
www.australianoffroadacademy.com.au

2. It’s a really big place

3. • Everyone likes the idea of taking a year, or
more, and doing the lap.
– Major lifestyle change.
– Jobs, schools, money along the way.
– Complete immersion.
– Time to explore.
– No fixed timetable
One big lap?

4. Shorter, big trips.

5. • Each trip is a recon trip for the next one.
• Constantly adding to you list of things to see
and do.
• Lessons are learned
– Planning
– Vehicle and camp setup
Shorter, Big trips.

6. • The distances are immense
– Average speeds will be lower as you move away
from the major highways.
Key Points to Consider

7. • Do you have the right tools for the task?
– What is your vehicle GVM?
– If you are towing have you thought about your
GCVM and the ability of your vehicle to
comfortably (not just legally) tow this load where
you plan to go?
– Do you require high clearance?
– Is your van or trailer really “Off-road” or is that just
advertising?
Key Points to Consider

8. • How are your tyres?
– More that just their condition… are they?
• A rugged construction – Light Truck Tyre
• A common size that can easily be replaced
Right tools for the task?

9. • Have you considered how your suspension will
handle ‘rougher’ roads.
– Our vehicle suspension works hard, even when the
road is flat.
Right tools for the task?

10. • There are so many sources of information
– Filtering the useful is the hard job.
• Take internet advice cautiously – many well intentioned
people offer specific advice while only having general
information.
• The average 4x4/travel show is often times more about
drama than it is about safe travelling.
• People tend to remember, and tell, their bad stories,
rather than their good ones.
Planning, Planning

11. • Useful Resources
– Hema Maps, Apps and Devices
– Visitor Information Centres and Council Offices.
– Police in regional areas.
– Online blogs written while people were travelling.
– Books by Robert Pepper and Pat Callinan
– Travel guides by Ron and Viv Moon
Planning, Planning

12. • Planning for self sufficiency
– Carry appropriate spares
• Belts, hoses, fuses, filters, and many more
– Carry long range communication
• Sat Phone, HF Radio, EPIRB, other satellite tracking
– Comprehensive First Aid Kit
• And know how to use it
Being Self Sufficient

13. • Food and food storage
– How are you planning to carry your food?
• Perishables and non perishables
– Esky or Fridge
– Planning for resupply
• Support the communities you travel through by
shopping locally
Being Self Sufficient

14. • Trucks are on a timeline
– Carrying live animals
– Carrying supplies (possibly perishable) to remote
communities
– Carrying freight
– Bringing produce to the cities
The Outback Rules of the Road

15. • Everyone should travel at a speed at which
they feel comfortable.
– However, this means being vigilant for vehicles
travelling faster than you.
• Monitor your mirrors
• Communicate with other road users (UHF40)
• Be kind, and pull over…
– …more
The Outback Rules of the Road

16. • Getting out of the way
– Double Lane
• The truck driver might be happy with you just agreeing
to pull back and let them pass.
• Maybe you should look for an opportunity to pull over.
• The whole manoeuvre will take you a minute or so, and
see the truck on its way to its destination with no fuss.
The Outback Rules of the Road

17. • Getting out of the way
– Single Lane or Dirt
• Look at all those rocks
– Usually, there is a greater distribution of rocks off the main
driving line.
• Do you really want to force a road train onto those?
Even on just one side?
– You will be showered in rocks and dirt.
– You may cause the truck to enter into a sway which could see
the rear trailers act unpredictably.
– …more
The Outback Rules of the Road

18. • Getting out of the way
– Single Lane or Dirt
• Get off the road – come to a stop
– Remember that the rocks being thrown up be a vehicle aren’t
moving forward very fast, it’s your movement into the rock
that causes the damage.
– Let the vehicle past, they will be appreciative of your efforts.
– The whole manoeuvrer will cost you a couple of minutes, but
will save vehicle damage, or much worse
The Outback Rules of the Road

19. Consider a course

20. Consider a Course

21. • www.AustralianOffroadAcademy.com.au
• info@AustralianOffroadAcademy.com.au
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