10 Things to Remember before you Plan a Trip up North
Published by John on 4th Dec 2020
Whether you are travelling to Cape York up the Old Telegraph Track, visiting Moreton or Fraser Island, or going inland through Northern Territory, being prepared is the aim of the game.
Here are some tips on what you will need for your trip up north in your 4x4.
Australia has some amazing four-wheel drive tracks and destinations, and whilst there are some great spots down south, there is something magical about the northern parts of the country.
Far North Queensland offers tropical rainforest, beautiful beaches, islands, reefs, and off-road tracks that make the most travelled 4WD enthusiast excited.
With the majority of the population on the east and south coast, travelling up north is a great way to escape. The remote environment, whilst beautiful, can also create a trailer load of problems for the unprepared traveller.
Planning your trip? Have you taken these 10 things into account?
Buying Food on your Trip
Photo credits to Ronny Dahl - 4 Wheeling in Western Australia
Food is something we all need to survive and whilst you can purchase groceries further up north and on the islands, it can become quite expensive – the IGA in Bamaga is a prime example. Take what you can with you, especially food that can last the length of your trip in the remote parts of the country. Consider vacuum bags and freezing your proteins.
Storing Food on your Trip
This brings us to how to store food on your trip. With more remote trips in hotter climates, a fridge in your 4x4 or camper is essential. It can also help keep your end of day beverages cold and frosty.
A unit like the Ironman 4x4 IceCube 65L fridge/freezer is a good start allowing you to run two fridge compartments, two freezer compartments or split fridge and freezer. Depending on where you mount the fridge, you might also want to consider a drop slide to make access easier.
Keeping up the Fluids
Hot and remote travel means both you and your 4WD need to keep the fluid levels up. This means cold water in your fridge, extra water for drinking, more extra water for your vehicle’s needs, and extra fuel depending on where you are headed.
If you are towing a camper, you may also be able to cover your water needs with the extra tanks on it. Contact our team today to see what custom tanks we have for your 4x4, or to pick up jerry cans and taps.
Too much water
It is a good idea to keep lots of water for you and your family to drink, and extra for topping up your vehicle’s needs. Too much water can also be a problem in the way of water crossings.
It can get pretty wet up north and you will most likely cross a few rivers and waterways to discover all the great spots. Protect your 4x4 with a snorkel and a wading cover (or water crossing bra).
The snorkel, when correctly fitted, will provide a seal on your intake and allow air to come in around your vehicle’s roof height. A wading cover or water crossing bra creates a bow wave in front of your vehicle and protects your engine and radiator from damage during water crossings.
Contact our team today to get a quote on supply and fitment of a snorkel to suit your 4x4 or to pick up a water crossing bra.
Protection bars and covers
Whether you are going bush, tackling tight 4x4 tracks, or on the highway, a bullbar and side rails can help protect your 4WD from animal strikes and trees that jump out from nowhere.
Rear protection bars are also available that integrate a towbar, as well as being capable of holding fuel and water cans, and spare wheel carriers.
There is lots of gear under your 4WD that can sustain damage from being dragged over rocks and rough terrain. Underbody protection covers the important parts from the front near your bullbar, to the back of your transfer case.
Check out our range of body and underbody protection here.
Mountains and mole hills
For travelling to destinations like Cape York, Arnhem Land, the Kimberley region, Fraser Island or Moreton island, we recommend upgrading your suspension, especially if towing.
Stock suspension can become soft or sag when it must deal with corrugated dirt roads, heavy loads, and towing.
Upgrading your suspension will allow you to also ensure you have good clearance under your vehicle, an advantage when out on bush tracks with deep ruts, or on the sand where your underbody is dragged along in the deeper tracks.
Talk to our expert team in store about suspension including GVM upgrades.
What if you get stuck?
Even if travelling in a group, pack recovery gear. When things don’t go to plan, which is often the case in remote areas like Cape York, having a good array of recovery gear is essential. Carry a basic tool kit, snatch straps and shackles, a tyre repair kit, and a set of TRED Pro extraction devices.
We would also recommend a good tyre compressor and tyre deflator for adjusting your tyre pressures for different terrain.
Remember to check your insurance policy too regarding towing from remote areas and roadside assistance fine print. It may also pay to look at travel insurance.
Stay in contact with the world
When travelling to remote places or off the beaten track, a UHF radio comes in handy. It will allow you to hear updates from other travellers in the area, as well as giving you a lifeline when you need help.
As phone signal can be minimal in some remote areas up north, you could also consider carrying a satellite phone.
We recommend carrying a satellite beacon with you on your trips, especially if travelling with a single vehicle, or if you intend to go off the main tracks. You can learn more about the types of beacons here.
Keep Australia beautiful
We live in an amazing part of the world and travelling it by 4x4 is one of the most enjoyable past times. The last thing we need or want on our tracks or in the environment is rubbish.
Be sure to pack rubbish bags and carry a rear wheel bag. This will ensure you can take rubbish with you when you leave camp or your rest stop to the next bin on your travels.
Accidents happen
You can never be too prepared when it comes to accidents and that is why we recommend carrying a comprehensive first aid kit. Remember to allow enough stock to cover the people travelling or take a couple of kits with you.
This will allow you to temporarily stop bleeding, splint a broken bone, or treat a burn or bite on your travels before getting to a hospital which could be quite a distance away.
Another item that is not on our top ten list of things to remember (but deserves a mention under the ‘accidents happen’ heading) is toilet paper. Just like drinking water, this essential item needs to be taken if you prefer not to use ‘nature’ to wipe. Be sure to dispose of it appropriately.
In summary
Australia offers some amazing off-road adventures with the Old telegraph Track being the northern-most highlight for most 4WD enthusiasts, but they present their own dangers.
Away from major towns, help can be far away when disaster strikes. Being prepared and having your vehicle equipped with the gear to tackle the tracks and whatever they throw at you, can be life-changing.
Get in touch with our team before heading off on your next 4x4 adventure.
Have you travelled much up north of Australia? What are some of your favourite places and tips for a better experience?
If you haven’t yet set your itinerary for your trip up north, come in and grab a Hema map.
See you out on the tracks! (or in our workshop first).
article by Adventure Unplanned