Tick these off for your bucket list

YOU can see most of the greatest things in Australia only by car. But make sure the car you take can handle a rough, dusty road.

Tunnel Creek in the Kimberleys.

YOU can get to see most of the greatest things in Australia only by car. And it’s probably best if you don’t take a new car because the really good stuff is usually along a very rough and dusty gravel road.

South Australia has the Naracoorte caves near the border with Victoria. The visitor facilities are seriously well set up by the national park people and it’s an easy spot to get to. More adventure can be had by turning right as you cross the Nullarbor and visiting the Murrawijine Caves, famous for their Aboriginal handprints and live snakes.

A relaxed Sunday drive along the Gibb River Road in the Kimberleys has convinced me this has to be on your bucket list. The plains and ranges are extraordinarily beautiful and along the way are treasures like Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge.

At Tunnel Creek you walk underneath the Napier Ranges. It’s around 800m each way and for most of it you are wading through knee-deep warm water. The caverns are like cathedrals. Sunlight reaches into the dark lighting up stalactites and stalagmites. We didn’t get attacked by the bats, olive pythons and freshwater crocodiles.

Windjana Gorge is the most stunning spot in the Kimberleys. You walk through 100m-high water-coloured walls to a swimming area. The good news is there are not too many people in the water. There were three when we dived in. The bad news is this could be because of the crocodile warnings and graphic photographs on the noticeboards.

As more than 200 cars proved on the Shitbox Rally, you don’t need a four-wheel-drive to get out there but you do need some basic mechanical ability. At a minimum you do should know how to change a tyre, check your oil and fill up with petrol from a jerry can. And despite what some tourist websites say, it is not an easy drive. Crossing one river, we were advised to stay in the car if it stalled. Getting out attracts saltwater crocodiles.

You also need to be prepared to do it rough. Here are some helpful hints for your next great adventure.

You can go for days without seeing an espresso machine, so spend $200 on the non-electric ROK Espresso maker for barista-quality cafe latte.

Surprisingly there are no Ritz Carltons or even small boutique hotels in 98.5 per cent of the outback. If, like me, camping out is staying in a single room rather than a suite, you need the following five items:

A swag. It’s like a big sleeping bag or tiny tent and comes complete with mattress and mossie net. The best part is there is minimal putting up. You just roll it out. Pay about $300 for a good one.

A camp stretcher. You put your swag on this. You are now off the ground away from rocks and bitey things that don’t fly. You’ll pay $90 and if you think you might get lucky, you can buy a double bed size.

A wool blanket. Even the desert gets cold.

A microfibre towel. Pay $22 for a Tek Towel. It’s good for 10 days before you have to wash it.

A satellite phone. Telstra might cover 99.3 per cent of Australia but you will be driving in the remaining 0.7 per cent in the outback.

On the car side, take two spare wheels and a tyre repair kit, cans of tyre and radiator sealant. Plus two wine glasses, a bottle opener, a cork screw and camp chairs with wine or stubby holders.

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