4WD Checklist and 4WD

OUTBACK WAY

The Outback Way is Australia’s longest shortcut and the world’s longest geocache trail linking Perth to Cairns, crossing through the Red Centre. The Outback Way is an adventure of the greatest kind, passing through remote regions with unsealed roads that are best travelled in high-clearance four-wheel drives. The route can be challenging, but the landscapes, colours and night skies are legendary.

In the NT, the Outback Way comes in west of Kata Tjuta/The Olgas, entering Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and from the Queensland border just east of Tobermorey on the Plenty Highway. The drive is an alternative route around central Australia, taking in Uluru/Ayers Rock and Mt Conner and passing through Alice Springs before turning off onto the Plenty Highway where you can enjoy fossicking at Gemtree. Here it links with the Binns Track and Sandover Highway. Stop at Atitjere/ Harts Range community, and marvel at the landscape as you travel east to the Queensland border.

OVERLANDERS WAY

Mount up and prepare to experience the incredible cattle country of Outback Australia. Traversing the Barkly Tablelands from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory to Townsville on the Queensland coast, this iconic drive takes in the vast horizons of the Barkly and Flinders Highways.

Journeying into the Barkly Tablelands is a great way to comprehend the vastness and beauty of the Australian Outback. This mighty grazing region is still considered the heart of the Northern Territory’s cattle country, with some cattle stations the size of small European countries.

This part of the world presents a canvas of changing colours and never-ending horizons and is the driving opportunity of a lifetime. Drink ‘billy tea’ by the roadside and wave to passing road trains as you slowly unwind and immerse yourself in the land of the stockmen.

The Overlanders Way follows a sealed highway and covers 1550 km. Note: the Barkly Homestead is one of few fuel outlets on the drive and high winds may dramatically affect fuel consumption.

CHECKLIST

It is essential your vehicle is mechanically sound. Ensure you know how to check your vehicle over and how to use the equipment.

VEHICLE

 Recovery kit including long handle shovel, snatch strap (properly rated for the vehicle) with load-rated shackles and preferably a winch  Two spare tyres with wheel brace, jack including jack plate etc  Tyre repair kit with spare tyre valves and caps  Air compressor including air pressure gauge  Tool kit  Spare parts (hoses, belts, fuses etc)  Fire extinguisher  Comprehensive ‘remote area’ first-aid kit (Do an accredited first aid course prior to travelling)  Recovery treds / tracks  Electric or hand-operated winch  Bull bar  Driving lights  Dual battery system  Long-range fuel tank/jerry cans  Water tank / containers

OPTIONAL

 Tyre deflator  Modified suspension  Underbody protection  Cargo barrier/drawer system  Snorkel  Diff breathers

COMMUNICATIONS

 UHF radio  HF radio  Satellite phone  Distress / Emergency beacon / EPIRB (Optional if have satellite phone)  Mobile phone

NAVIGATION

 Road atlas / 4X4 maps / Topographic maps  Compass/ruler

Optional  GPS receiver  Satnav device  Mapping software

Looking for off-road supplies?

Receive a $20 discount off any product in store at TJM Alice Springs / Central Comms - Alice Springs

Present this voucher at: TJM Alice Springs / Central Comms 5 Whittaker Street Alice Springs NT 0870 Tel: 08 8952 2388

Discount Voucher conditions: Excludes satellite phone airtime. Valid until 1 July 2020. Original document must be presented and surrendered. Only one voucher per purchase. Valid at TJM Alice Springs / Central Comms - Alice Springs store only. Your post code or country of origin will be collected on redeeming the voucher.