[ 4 AUGUST 2010 SORRY, ALL COPIES SOLD OUT ]

The essential companion for caravanners, campers and RVers travelling Outback Australia. An Award-winning title from authoritative writers. Contains 9 Outback maps. Slightly larger font and map details for easy-to-read reference.

Caravanning Outback Australia is a comprehensive guide to Outback travel for caravanners, campers, and recreation vehicle users.

Caravanning Outback Australia is designed for the recreation vehicle, caravan and camping market. A full year in preparation, and based on combined experience of more than 60 years of Outback travelling and tour guiding, Caravanning Outback Australia is an indispensible companion for anyone interested in Outback travel.

This 272 page strongly bound and durably covered A4-size flexible cover book has 590 full colour photos and
illustrations, supplemented by double-page large-print maps of routes across the Australian Outback.All the mapping has been trialled on older and colour-blind persons to ensure highest legibility. The routes are classified in 3 levels - as bitumen roads, earth roads suitable for 2WD cars and caravans, or roads suited to 4WD vehicles and off-bitumen caravans. Special attention has been paid to the provision of facilities used by caravanners, and the maps and map notes detail such items as mobile phone coverage areas, availability of medical services and availability of groceries and full banking services.

The unique background of the contributors means that this book is a collection of on-target information which has not appeared in any other way previously. The maps have been produced by John Deckert, owner of Westprint Maps, renowned for their easy-to-read and informative series of maps of the Australian Outback. The text has been written by Lloyd Junor, owner-operator of Australia's only professional Outback caravan tours business with over a decade of experience, Aussie Outback Tours. Cartography has been provided by John Frith, owner of Flat Earth Mapping, Adelaide.

Contents...

Ch 1 Caravanning the Outback

Defining caravanning & RVs; the evolution of caravanning in Australia.

Ch 2 Growing popularity of caravanning in the Outback

Caravanning statistics; the risks and bonuses of Outback travel.

Ch 3 Preparing for Outback travel

Ways of travelling; checking your competencies; health; finances; selecting routes; navigation aids; choosing the tow vehicle; choosing the caravan; do you need 4WD?; towing equipment and accessories; tents and camping accessories; the code of the Outback.

Ch 4 Who can I turn to?

Directory of Resources about Outback travelling, caravanning, camping, etc. Headings include - books; maps; videos; tapes; travel magazines; traffic regulations; caravan towing; caravan parks; clubs; aboriginal communities; state tourism authorities; radio communications; caravan manufacturers; tour operators; telephone companies; Australia Post; internet sites; recorded road conditions and information.

Ch 5 This is Australia

The island continent; Australia Alive! - flora and fauna of Australia; indigenous creatures; farm animals; introduced pests.

Ch 6 Travelling in Australia

Driving tips for the Outback; road signs; Australian road laws; emergency spare wheels; a comprehensive caravanner's check list.

Ch 7 Outback caravan and RV tour routes

Map 1: Outback Highway - Kalgoorlie to Alice Springs.

Map 2: Outback Highway - Alice Springs to Winton.

Map 3: Mid West of Western Australia.

Map 4: Tanami Road - Alice Springs to Halls Creek.

Map 5: Birdsville Track - Lyndhurst to Boulia and Mt Isa.

Map 6: Oodnadatta Track - Lyndhurst to Marla.

Map 7: Strzelecki Track - Port Augusta to Cunnamulla.

Map 8: Buntine Highway and Buchanan Highway.

Map 9: Birdsville to Cairns - via Longreach and Hughenden.

Ch 8 First Aid and emergency help

Prepared by the National Office, St John Ambulance.