The Crew on all tours consists of a Safari Driver/Tour Leader and a Cook. Where necessary, crew may only consist of a tour guide.

The itinerary sets out most of the detail. All tours include 4WD surface travel, all camping fees, admission to national parks and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – BREAKFAST, L – LUNCH, D – DINNER). The tour fare also includes camping gear - safari tent (twin share basis), foam sleep mat and a bush dining area with backed chairs. Sole use of tents can be requested (limited number available) at a small charge. Some itineraries include accommodation, where detailed on brochures. Most accommodation is based on a twin share basis, with a single supplement charge for single people.

All tours depart from Sydney unless specified. The Coach picks up all passengers from Coach Bay 5, at Central Station, Sydney. The coach bay is located in Eddy Avenue, on an island in the middle of the road. Tours that depart from Alice Springs meet at ‘The Heavitree Gap Resort’. We can arrange pre/post tour accommodation for you, please indicate on your booking form if you require this service. Check your brochure, it will advise specific locations and times for pickup.

There are some activities that are not included in the tour price. These activities are labelled ‘optional extras’ in the brochures. Passengers will have a choice as to whether they participate or not. All costs and charges are in addition to the tour fare and are payable by passengers at the time of the activity.

All tours are fully catered with breakfast (cereals and toast), lunch (salads and cold meats) and dinner (two course meal). Most tours have a dedicated chef to organise the kitchen and ensure that everyone gets excellent meals throughout the tour. If you have any dietary requirements please specify these on your booking form at the time of booking. Sometimes on the itinerary, there are ‘Free’ dinners where we do not include a meal and passengers are free to sample the local cuisine of the town that they are in. These dinners are at passenger’s own expense.

Weather is unpredictable at the best of times. We find that it’s best to pack for all temperatures and conditions. Outback Australia can be quite cold mid year (June/July) with temperatures varying between 3 degrees Celsius at 5.00AM to 20 – 25 degrees Celsius by lunchtime.

The golden rule is "do not pack too much"! Some individual, small plastic bags for storing wet or dirty clothing and footwear are a good idea inside your suitcase. Casual clothes are all that are necessary - comfortable and easy care. We suggest - 2 pairs shorts/skirts; 2 pairs jeans/trousers; 1 pair casual slacks; 3 quick drying blouses/shirts; tee-shirts; 2 windcheater/jumpers; socks; underwear; head-scarf or sun hat; bathers; pair of desert boots, or strong rubber-soled shoes; a light raincoat, ponchos are all that is needed and available from $2 shops; a beanie and warm woollen socks are ideal for cool nights. For Bushwalking tours, please ensure that you bring your walking boots in addition to the list above.

A good quality warm sleeping bag is essential; towel; Pears soap will lather in hard water; small pillow; torch (with spare batteries and globe); water bottle (500-750ml); short clothes-line (lacing) and a few pegs; sunscreen; insect repellent and a camera with spare film. Passengers sensitive to changing water supplies may wish to carry water purification tablets for their own drinking water and eating utensils. (See ‘Eating Utensils’ below). When packing, leave your utensils bag separate from your luggage as you will need it at lunchtime and it will travel in the 4WD with your day pack. For Birdwatching tours, please ensure that you bring your binoculars in addition to the list above.

You will need to bring the following utensils. These should be carried in a cloth bag with your name clearly marked.

Please notify us of any medical problems you may have and medication required in case of an emergency. Please ensure that you have ample supplies of regular medication before departing on a trip.

Due to the amount of equipment needed to conduct a successful camping safari in the outback passengers are reminded of the luggage restrictions. The limit for all combined luggage is not to exceed 20kg. The company reserves the right to weigh luggage at the departure point. Please do not bring large suitcases, stools or stretchers. We reserve the right to reject luggage that is oversize and /or overweight.

Three pieces of luggage are allowable:

      1.  One only, medium size soft bag, i.e. barrel bag.

      2.  Small backpack allowable for day use to be placed in safari vehicle under the seat in front.

      3.  Sleeping bag (no swags allowed)

Yes, we do have a rotation system for seating aboard the vehicle, with passengers moving around the vehicle each day. This provides the opportunity for every passenger to sit forward and on a window seat.

This is probably one of the most important aspects of your tour, so start out with an ample supply of film. Film can be purchased in main town centres on the tour, however, in remote areas supplies of particular film types can be limited. To protect your valuable camera equipment from dust, we suggest strong, sealable (zip lock) plastic bags. Digital and video cameras can be recharged after evening meals in most caravan parks (not in remote areas). Please ask crew for details.

Although campgrounds vary considerably in the outback we always choose the best available. Most have grassed areas, clean toilet and shower facilities and clothes washing facilities. A lot of our tours contain a night or two of ‘bush camping’. These camps are always a highlight of the tour and enable everyone to get back to nature and experience the great outdoors, camping under the stars hundreds of kilometres away from anyone else. Hygiene of course is extremely important when in these bush camp situations. A vessel of water and soap is always available, adjacent to the vehicle, which people should use before handling any food, or after “bush visits”. Bush camps of course do not have toilet facilities, so people should practise the art of using the “shovel dunny”, the time proven way of keeping the bush tidy. A spade and a roll of toilet paper are carried a good distance into the bush. We leave nothing but footprints!

Passengers are not permitted to smoke in the vehicle. Drinking alcohol is also not allowed on the vehicle, however, feel free to relax around the camp with a drink in the evenings. Usually the passengers will run a communal bar with an honesty system.

In the event that there are two crew members – a tour guide and a cook, we do not run a roster system however, a helping hand is always welcome. In the event that the crew consists of a tour guide only, a roster system will be put in place for the duration of the tour.

We strongly recommend travel insurance against loss of possessions, accidents and cancellation through unforeseen circumstances. Outback Track Tours Pty Ltd is not responsible for loss or damage or theft of luggage and/or personal injury, accidents, illness, hospitalisation or medical expenses. Insurance is now available through Outback Track Tours. We organise insurance through ‘Toursafe Travel Insurance’. If you require a quote, please call the office.

Every effort is made to follow the itinerary as laid out in the brochure, however, factors such as road and weather conditions may make it necessary for the safari crew to vary the itinerary. Outback Track Tours does not accept responsibility for expenses incurred due to weather or road conditions, strikes, bushfires or floods.

We have satellite phones on all our tours which means that all our passengers have access to the Royal Flying Doctor if needed. If you would like to leave a contact phone number with family while you are on tour, please give the office phone number on (02) 9948 9959. The office can always get a message to crew for passengers to call home for any urgent matters. All messages are treated as a priority by the office and are actioned as soon as possible.

Australia is a big country. On full days of travelling you may cover approximately 500km a day on rough outback roads. Despite this, even on travelling days we always strive to get into camp before dark. All of our vehicles have air-conditioning, reclining cloth seats, foot rests, and seat belts and are the ultimate for comfortable travel.

A deposit of $200, unless otherwise stated on your tour brochure, will apply to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure. Cheques are to be made payable to ‘Outback Track Tours Pty Ltd’. We also accept VISA, MASTERCARD and BANKCARD. As from 1st May, 2005 all credit card transactions over $200 will attract a 3% fee. All tour costs are in Australian Dollars and are quoted per person.

In the event of cancellation, the following levies will apply per person. Note that these conditions form part of the booking conditions.

45 days or more

50% of deposit

44 – 10 days

80% of full fare

9 – 0 days

100% of full fare (No refund)