This is a good thread however i just change my 4 wheel drive motor and the replacement motor is second hand and i have no idea on how many kilometers it has i just hope i don't break down in it it runs very nice but i can only find out when i go i think i will be alright though its my first 4 wheel drive and i am learning it all for the first time i have built a recovery pack and i have good mechanical knowledge and tools. all that i need now is a good cb radio and some roof racks hopefully all goes well thanks for posting something to think about.

Yeah I second the bush tucker man,

The barefoot bushman (Rob Bredl) is pretty good for bush tucker too, and I'm sure you know of Malcolm Douglas

Great way to start learning, they make it entertaining but they're not fake and unrealistic like Bear Grylls or anything.

Know thy vehicle. And know what it can and can't do. There are real four wheel drives, and then there are the toy four wheel drives for city slickers. A Toyota Hilux or Landcruiser is real, a BMW X5 isn't...

I would have to agree with this, as so far has been the biggest issue I have came across in my travels, people taking ford falcons down 4wd roads and becoming stranded, or people not understanding the basics of tyre pressures and becoming stuck frame deep in sand.

it boggles my mind that they feel comfortable enough to be out there in the first place while being so under prepared

I was in Kalbari Nation park, in western australia, the parts roads are heavily corrugated and rough. no big deal for me, let my tyres down to about 25ish psi to help float on the road, but on my way out I found a car on the side of the road with a busted sway bar preventing them from moving, so I pulled out my tools and removed the bar so they could continue, while I was doing this they said they had sent there little brother in 35c heat to walk 6 km to the national park gate, which would of been closed by now. for help. hopped in the wagon and sped off, maybe a kilometer up here is this kid, no hat, no sunscreen no water trying to trek back. insane, they could of killed there own brother.

At the same time though, get out ad enjoy the outback, it may be dangerous but go prepared and have a blast. there are a lot of cool places to check out.

My rig for outback travel:
230L fuel capacity,
100L water capacity
food for a month - dry foods and the like
no electronics


A few things I can add:

Carry 2 spare tyres, I have blown 2 tyres within 40 kms on the east coast, luckily I was around towns when it happened.
5-10L of water per person per day - this includes cleaning and dishes.
enough food for a few weeks - dry foods can keep for ages
shade - you will need it, there are not many trees

Get out there and explore!!

If you're car breaks down and you have no way to start it, here's a thought....

You gather a bunch of brush and make a pile. Then you syphone some gas out of your tank. If you don't have a hose you could try and unattach one from inside the engine. Or else, you might need to get under the car and try and either puncture a hole or get to the fuel line to get some gas pouring out. pour some on the brush. then you use your booster cables attached to your battary to create sparks to light it. let it burn, have some fresh stuff ready. Put then on to create smoke. Then you'd be making a smoke signal, that might draw in attention from anyone near by.