Getting Around

Every journey through our region is an exciting adventure. However you choose to get around, here’s some handy advice to help you get where you’re going and back again safely.

DRIVING TIPS

In Central Western Queensland and remote areas, it is common to come across single lane bitumen roads. When coming across road trains and heavy vehicles on single lane roads, slow right down and move off the road to the left. If it is safe to do so move off the road entirely and stop to avoid any obstacles on the verge.

In wet conditions edges tend to be soft and/or slippery, so you should always keep your right wheels on the bitumen and keep moving slowly to avoid getting bogged.

Care should be taken when passing and overtaking road trains and heavy vehicles, including caravans. Ensure you have a clear line of sight, allow plenty of room and be prepared for vehicles to move a little from side to side as you overtake. If a road train is approaching to overtake you, move as far to the left as possible and stop if necessary to allow it to overtake safely.

BACKUPS

On major highways, fuel stops are rarely more than 200km apart so it should not be necessary to carry spare fuel. However, where you do see ‘No Fuel’ signs, it means exactly that. Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound and carry a first aid kit, plenty of water and spares such as tyres, radiator hoses and fanbelts, together with a good tool kit. Ensure your spare tyre is at the correct pressure.

If you’re travelling in a remote area, it is wise to have a UHF or satellite phone in case of an emergency, as mobile coverage is only available up to 20km outside of towns. External car aerials can increase mobile coverage dramatically.

MOBILE COVERAGE

Longreach, Mount Isa, Charleville, Bedourie and Birdsville have coverage from Telstra only.

Outside of these towns only Telstra Next G Network is available, usually within a 20km radius of towns. There is limited mobile phone coverage in the far south-west corner of the region, west of Quilpie. Public phones are recommended for extended travel in this area.

WILDLIFE AND STOCK

If you see stock or wild animals near the road, slow down; do not swerve or your vehicle may roll. Be patient with stock and wary of kangaroos and emus. It pays to be vigilant when driving in the Outback, especially either side of sunrise or sunset when kangaroos tend to be at their most active and the light makes seeing them more difficult.