Self drive outback tour in Western Australia

Environment
We maintain a safe speed to avoid damaging the track and make sure we drive with our headlights on & with a dune flag on the escort vehicle to alert any possible oncoming vehicles (there is only room for one vehicle on the track). We do not take vehicles above a certain width in order to prevent tyre tracks from going outside the existing track ‘footprint’.

We never drive on virgin sand dunes or areas of reclamation, reforestation or revegetation in this ecologically sensitive area. We emphasise environmental awareness at the pre-Departure Workshop and include a copy of our Environmental Management Policy in each Pre-Departure Kit, and demonstrate responsible environmental practices when four wheel driving, i.e., if bogged, dig the vehicle out, don’t churn up tracks, remove obstacles from the track, etc. We rehabilitate the track when required and are particularly careful in this remote area with bush toilet procedures, rubbish removals, lighting of fires etc.

We limit the number of vehicles in the convoy to minimize impact on the track and take all our rubbish out with us as there are no disposal bins in this area. We are careful to ensure clients never throw rubbish from their vehicles & include “Keep Australia Beautiful” car rubbish bags in Pre-Departure Kits. We leave our campsites neat and tidy on departure and use designated camp grounds or previously used camping areas. When making bushcamps, we encourage clients to dig their “bush toilets” at least 100m downwind from camp and at least ½ metre deep using the shovel provided, and to use biodegradable toilet paper. We provide soak pits for run-off water from showers, hand basins, dishwashing and food preparation when in bush camps.

We squash cans for easier transport & disposal and provide our own water & firewood (or other material for fires). We discourage clients from approaching, touching or feeding wild birds or animals unless instructed to do so by the Guide. The Director of the company is an Honorary Parks Ranger so is committed to protecting wildlife and looking after the environment. He is also one of the few Tour Guides in the State to be accredited by the Eco Tourism Association of Australia.

Community
We stay in campgrounds at Wiluna & Halls Creek & use local facilities, purchase groceries & fuel etc. We restock our food supplies at the Aboriginally-owned Kunawarritji shop (there are Aboriginal communities & reserves along the way but they are private & we are unable to visit them). There are almost 50 wells along this old cattle route. If these are in disrepair we stop & try to repair them. If this is not possible, we report them to the appropriate organisation when we complete the trek.

There are a few bush toilets along the route which have been constructed by volunteers. If these are in disrepair we stop & try to repair them. If this is not possible, we report them to the appropriate organisation when we complete the trek and assist other travellers whenever possible (a number of travellers get into trouble in this area, particularly if they are travelling alone). We always advise the police at our starting & completion points of our dates of departure & arrival. We conduct ‘fun fines’ & raffles while on tour to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Last year we collected over $1000 for this worthy charity which has been of assistance to us on several occasions.