![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2024\/06\/darwin-to-uluru-road-trip-1024x707.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBuilt for the Bush: What to Look For<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nNot every vehicle is cut out for outback touring, and it’s not just about ground clearance. A few things worth prioritising: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- 4WD<\/a> or all-wheel drive capability<\/strong>\u00a0– unsealed roads, gravel, and unpredictable surfaces call for a vehicle that can handle more than just the highway.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Reliability and safety ratings<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0you’re\u00a0often a long way from the nearest mechanic, so a well-maintained vehicle with strong safety credentials\u00a0isn’t\u00a0a nice-to-have,\u00a0it’s\u00a0essential.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Towing capacity<\/strong>\u00a0– if\u00a0you’re\u00a0bringing a camper trailer or boat along for the ride, make sure the vehicle is rated to handle it.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Comfort for the long haul<\/strong>\u00a0– outback distances are no\u00a0joke. A comfortable cabin makes the eight-hour stretches between towns far more bearable.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
SIXT’s 4WD<\/a> range covers everything from more fuel efficient or roomier fleet options, offering flexibility depending on how remote\u00a0you’re\u00a0planning to go and how much gear is coming with you. You can hit the road with\u00a05 star\u00a0ANCAP safety ratings, 24-hour roadside\u00a0assistance, towing capability, and an extensive range of mining accessories available at select locations. Offering more than a standard SUV, whatever it is you need with your 4×4 car hire, we have you covered.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nExpect the Unexpected: Outback Hazards to Watch For<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe outback is beautiful, but unlike the city, it plays by its own rules. Before you head off the beaten track, keep these hazards front of mind: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Wildlife on the road<\/strong>\u00a0– kangaroos, wombats and\u00a0livestock have\u00a0a habit of appearing without warning, especially around dawn and dusk. Stay cautious and alert when the sun is\u00a0down and\u00a0use high beams if needed.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Extreme heat<\/strong>\u00a0– outback temperatures can climb well beyond what your car (or your body) is used to. Overheating engines,\u00a0dehydration\u00a0and heat stress are all real risks on long, exposed stretches.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Road trains<\/strong>\u00a0– freight vehicles are far longer than they look from a\u00a0distance and\u00a0take a lot more room and time to overtake safely.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Unsealed and dirt roads<\/strong>\u00a0– gravel, dust and washouts can\u00a0catch\u00a0drivers used to\u00a0sealed\u00a0suburban streets. Reduced speed and a firm grip are the order of the day.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Limited fuel and phone reception<\/strong>\u00a0– services between outback towns can be hundreds of\u00a0kilometres\u00a0apart, and mobile coverage often disappears entirely. Make sure to plan fuel stops\u00a0accordingly and\u00a0download maps to help you when\u00a0signals\u00a0get\u00a0low.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Flooded creek crossings<\/strong>\u00a0– even a dry-looking creek bed can turn into a genuine hazard after rain further upstream. Never assume a crossing is safe just because the sky above you\u00a0are\u00a0clear.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Sun glare and long straight roads<\/strong>\u00a0– hours of unchanging scenery can be surprisingly fatiguing. Instead of getting a case of \u2018white line fever\u2019,\u00a0make sure to take regular breaks.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
A little preparation goes a long way: pack extra water, check road conditions before you set off, and let someone know your route if you’re heading somewhere remote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Premium, Your Way<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nOutback touring doesn’t mean roughing it on the comfort front. SIXT’s premium fleet gives you a few different ways to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Premium SUVs and <\/strong> 4WDs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>– think BMW X3, offering the ruggedness of an SUV with genuine luxury trimmings for those longer regional stretches.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Reliability and safety ratings<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0you’re\u00a0often a long way from the nearest mechanic, so a well-maintained vehicle with strong safety credentials\u00a0isn’t\u00a0a nice-to-have,\u00a0it’s\u00a0essential.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Towing capacity<\/strong>\u00a0– if\u00a0you’re\u00a0bringing a camper trailer or boat along for the ride, make sure the vehicle is rated to handle it.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Comfort for the long haul<\/strong>\u00a0– outback distances are no\u00a0joke. A comfortable cabin makes the eight-hour stretches between towns far more bearable.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
SIXT’s 4WD<\/a> range covers everything from more fuel efficient or roomier fleet options, offering flexibility depending on how remote\u00a0you’re\u00a0planning to go and how much gear is coming with you. You can hit the road with\u00a05 star\u00a0ANCAP safety ratings, 24-hour roadside\u00a0assistance, towing capability, and an extensive range of mining accessories available at select locations. Offering more than a standard SUV, whatever it is you need with your 4×4 car hire, we have you covered.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expect the Unexpected: Outback Hazards to Watch For<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The outback is beautiful, but unlike the city, it plays by its own rules. Before you head off the beaten track, keep these hazards front of mind: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Wildlife on the road<\/strong>\u00a0– kangaroos, wombats and\u00a0livestock have\u00a0a habit of appearing without warning, especially around dawn and dusk. Stay cautious and alert when the sun is\u00a0down and\u00a0use high beams if needed.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Extreme heat<\/strong>\u00a0– outback temperatures can climb well beyond what your car (or your body) is used to. Overheating engines,\u00a0dehydration\u00a0and heat stress are all real risks on long, exposed stretches.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Road trains<\/strong>\u00a0– freight vehicles are far longer than they look from a\u00a0distance and\u00a0take a lot more room and time to overtake safely.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Unsealed and dirt roads<\/strong>\u00a0– gravel, dust and washouts can\u00a0catch\u00a0drivers used to\u00a0sealed\u00a0suburban streets. Reduced speed and a firm grip are the order of the day.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Limited fuel and phone reception<\/strong>\u00a0– services between outback towns can be hundreds of\u00a0kilometres\u00a0apart, and mobile coverage often disappears entirely. Make sure to plan fuel stops\u00a0accordingly and\u00a0download maps to help you when\u00a0signals\u00a0get\u00a0low.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Flooded creek crossings<\/strong>\u00a0– even a dry-looking creek bed can turn into a genuine hazard after rain further upstream. Never assume a crossing is safe just because the sky above you\u00a0are\u00a0clear.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Sun glare and long straight roads<\/strong>\u00a0– hours of unchanging scenery can be surprisingly fatiguing. Instead of getting a case of \u2018white line fever\u2019,\u00a0make sure to take regular breaks.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
A little preparation goes a long way: pack extra water, check road conditions before you set off, and let someone know your route if you’re heading somewhere remote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Premium, Your Way<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Outback touring doesn’t mean roughing it on the comfort front. SIXT’s premium fleet gives you a few different ways to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Premium SUVs and <\/strong> 4WDs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>– think BMW X3, offering the ruggedness of an SUV with genuine luxury trimmings for those longer regional stretches.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Sun glare and long straight roads<\/strong>\u00a0– hours of unchanging scenery can be surprisingly fatiguing. Instead of getting a case of \u2018white line fever\u2019,\u00a0make sure to take regular breaks.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Flooded creek crossings<\/strong>\u00a0– even a dry-looking creek bed can turn into a genuine hazard after rain further upstream. Never assume a crossing is safe just because the sky above you\u00a0are\u00a0clear.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Limited fuel and phone reception<\/strong>\u00a0– services between outback towns can be hundreds of\u00a0kilometres\u00a0apart, and mobile coverage often disappears entirely. Make sure to plan fuel stops\u00a0accordingly and\u00a0download maps to help you when\u00a0signals\u00a0get\u00a0low.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Unsealed and dirt roads<\/strong>\u00a0– gravel, dust and washouts can\u00a0catch\u00a0drivers used to\u00a0sealed\u00a0suburban streets. Reduced speed and a firm grip are the order of the day.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Road trains<\/strong>\u00a0– freight vehicles are far longer than they look from a\u00a0distance and\u00a0take a lot more room and time to overtake safely.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Extreme heat<\/strong>\u00a0– outback temperatures can climb well beyond what your car (or your body) is used to. Overheating engines,\u00a0dehydration\u00a0and heat stress are all real risks on long, exposed stretches.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Wildlife on the road<\/strong>\u00a0– kangaroos, wombats and\u00a0livestock have\u00a0a habit of appearing without warning, especially around dawn and dusk. Stay cautious and alert when the sun is\u00a0down and\u00a0use high beams if needed.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Comfort for the long haul<\/strong>\u00a0– outback distances are no\u00a0joke. A comfortable cabin makes the eight-hour stretches between towns far more bearable.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Towing capacity<\/strong>\u00a0– if\u00a0you’re\u00a0bringing a camper trailer or boat along for the ride, make sure the vehicle is rated to handle it.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n