Fuel stops in outback Australia?

Question

I saw on google earth a picture of a road sign saying "warning no fuel for next 441km". Would this be for the dirt track roads? I am assuming that if you follow the main highways that there are regular stops to re-fill your car?

I am about to drive from Darwin to Perth so I am hoping there are fuel stops at least every 200km?

Answer 1

On your planned route there are no problems although there are two or three stages of more than 200km (but less than 300) between service stations. The longest I have driven on a bitumen road between servos is 375km between the Barkly Homestead and Cape Crawford on my way to Boroloola in the NT. There are not too many stretches like that anywhere.

Answer 2

i would take at least two Jerry cans of fuel and two or water

there should be assuming you are going via Adelaide

if your going straight across , no petrol no water just stones

make sure you have a back vehicle and a stelite phone if your going to bush bash across

Answer 3

No it's not just dirt roads.  There are stretches on the Stuart Highway from Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Alice Springs - Darwin, which are of more than 200kms without a petrol station.  I've done the trip, but the only bit I really remember is Coober Pedy to Adelaide which had only 3 roadhouses, and a stretch of about 250kms without fuel.

Check with your car insurance company, eg NRMA, for outback information well before you leave.  For that distance you'll need to know not only about petrol stations, but also garages in case you have a breakdown.  You might also need to take more than one spare tyre, plenty of drinking water, and extra food.

Answer 4

Take a couple of jerry cans with you, because the stops that are there charge you heaps for the petrol and get away with it because they know there aren't many of them out there. Also take extra radiator hose for your car.