Camping in the Australian Outback: Essential Tips for RTT Adventurers

The Australian Outback represents the ultimate destination for roof top tent adventurers. Vast red deserts, ancient landscapes, and night skies so clear you can see the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. It's also one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth, where poor preparation can quickly turn an adventure into a survival situation.

This guide covers everything you need to know about taking your roof top tent into remote Australia, from essential preparation to the practicalities of staying comfortable and safe when help is hundreds of kilometres away.

Understanding Outback Conditions

Before planning an outback trip, you need to understand what makes this environment uniquely challenging.

Extreme Temperatures

Summer temperatures in central Australia regularly exceed 45°C, while winter nights can drop below freezing. This extreme range affects everything from your tent's fabric performance to your body's water requirements. Plan your travel season carefully—April to September typically offers the most manageable conditions for most outback regions.

Isolation and Distance

In the outback, distances between towns can exceed 500km with nothing in between. Phone reception is often non-existent outside major routes. If something goes wrong, you need to be self-sufficient for extended periods.

Road Conditions

Even major outback roads can be unsealed, corrugated, and dusty. After rain, roads can become impassable for days or weeks. The famous red bulldust can be ankle-deep in some areas, creating driving hazards.

Vehicle Preparation

Your vehicle is your lifeline in the outback. Thorough preparation is essential.

Mechanical Inspection

Before any remote trip, have your vehicle professionally serviced and inspected. Pay particular attention to:

• Cooling system—radiator, hoses, thermostat, water pump
• Brakes—pads, rotors, fluid, lines
• Suspension—shock absorbers, bushings, springs
• Tyres—including spare(s), with adequate tread depth
• Battery—test capacity and charging system
• Belts and hoses—replace any showing wear

Essential Spares and Tools

Carry these items for roadside repairs:

• Two full-size spare tyres (one is insufficient for extended remote travel)
• Tyre repair kit and air compressor
• Basic tool kit with sockets, spanners, screwdrivers
• Spare belts and hoses
• Radiator sealant and spare coolant
• Engine oil (enough for a complete oil change)
• Duct tape, cable ties, and wire
• Jumper cables or jump starter

Recovery Gear

Getting bogged is common in the outback. At minimum, carry:

• Snatch strap and shackles (rated for your vehicle weight)
• Shovel
• MaxTrax or similar recovery boards
• High-lift jack (if appropriate for your vehicle)

Water Management

Water is the single most critical resource in the outback. Underestimating water needs has cost lives.

Minimum Requirements

Plan for a minimum of 5 litres per person per day for drinking alone—more in extreme heat. This doesn't include water for cooking, washing, or vehicle cooling emergencies. A two-week trip for two people should start with at least 150 litres, plus reserves.

Storage Options

• Jerry cans (20L capacity) are versatile and replaceable if damaged
• Water tanks (under-body or drawer systems) offer larger capacity but are vehicle-specific
• Multiple smaller containers provide redundancy—if one leaks, you don't lose everything

Communication and Navigation

When mobile phone coverage ends—which happens quickly outside major centres—you need alternative communication methods.

Essential Communication Devices

• Satellite communicator: Devices like Garmin inReach or ZOLEO provide two-way messaging and SOS capability anywhere in Australia
• UHF radio: Essential for convoy travel and communicating with other travellers or road trains
• EPIRB or PLB: Emergency beacon for life-threatening situations when all else fails

Navigation

Don't rely solely on phone-based GPS:

• Carry detailed paper maps of your route
• Download offline maps before leaving coverage areas
• Consider a dedicated GPS unit with outback-specific mapping
• Learn basic navigation skills—compass use and map reading

RTT-Specific Outback Considerations

Your roof top tent will face some unique challenges in outback conditions.

Dust Management

Red outback dust penetrates everything. To protect your tent:

• Ensure your tent cover seals properly before driving dusty roads
• Consider a purpose-made dust cover if your tent's included cover isn't fully sealed
• Tape over any gaps in the tent cover for particularly dusty sections
• Clean dust from zippers daily to prevent wear and jamming

Heat Management

Sleeping in a roof top tent in extreme heat requires strategy:

• Position your tent opening to catch prevailing breezes
• Use all available mesh panels for maximum airflow
• Set up a shade awning to reduce direct sun on the tent during the day
• Consider a battery-powered fan for air circulation
• Sleep with just a sheet—you won't need more insulation

Wildlife Awareness

One advantage of an RTT in the outback is elevation from ground-dwelling wildlife. However:

• Check around and under your vehicle before setting up—snakes seek shade
• Keep food secured—dingoes are present in many outback areas
• Shake out shoes and clothing before putting them on
• Be aware of flying insects and ensure mesh is in good condition

Campsite Selection

Choosing the right campsite is particularly important in remote areas.

Where to Camp

• Established camping areas along major routes
• Station stays (many pastoral properties welcome campers for a fee)
• Designated rest areas
• Bush camping where permitted—check local regulations

What to Look For

• Firm, level ground that won't bog if it rains
• Distance from dry creek beds (flash floods can occur without local rainfall)
• Shelter from wind if available
• No overhead hazards (dead branches, power lines)
• Away from road trains' likely stopping points

Emergency Preparedness

In the outback, you need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

If You Break Down

• Stay with your vehicle—it's visible, provides shelter, and carries your supplies
• Signal for help (vehicle bonnet up, bright items displayed)
• Conserve water but don't ration it to dangerous levels
• Rest during the heat of the day, conserve energy
• Activate your emergency beacon only in genuine emergencies

The Australian Outback offers roof top tent camping at its most spectacular—and its most challenging. Respect the environment, prepare thoroughly, and you'll experience adventures that will stay with you for a lifetime. The empty roads, endless horizons, and absolute stillness of the outback night are rewards that only come to those willing to venture beyond the comfortable and the convenient.