Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

74
CHAPTER 2 . PLANNING AN AFFORDABLE TRIP TO AUSTRALIA
know better, has died wandering off
on a crazy quest for help or water,
knowing full well that neither is to be
found for maybe hundreds of miles.
Most people who get lost do so in
Outback spots; if that happens, conserve
your body moisture by doing as
little as possible and staying in the
shade of your car. Put out distress signals
in patterns of three—three yells,
three columns of smoke, and so on.
The traditional Outback call for help
is “coo-ee,” with the accent on the
“ee” and yodeled in a high pitch; the
sound travels a long way.
The state auto clubs listed above
provide free breakdown emergency
assistance to members of many affiliated
automobile associations around
the world.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
The emergency breakdown assistance
telephone number for every Australian
auto club is & 13 11 11 from anywhere
in Australia. It is billed as a local
call. If you are not a member of an auto
club at home that has a reciprocal
agreement with the Australian clubs,
you’ll have to join the Australian club
on the spot before they will tow/repair
your car. This usually costs only around
A$80 (US$52), not a big price to pay
18 Tips on Accommodations
Accommodation properties in Australia
are given a star rating by AAA
Tourism, which has been awarding
ratings since the 1950s. This independent
assessment is based on facilities,
amenities, maintenance, and
cleanliness, and awards range between
one and five stars. Stars are featured in
AAA Tourism guides, and recent
research shows 70% of travelers use
the star ratings when choosing their
accommodations (these star ratings
are noted below using asterisks). The
rating scheme covers over 18,000
accommodations throughout every
state and territory.
when you’re stranded (although in the
Outback, the charge may be considerably
higher). Most car-rental companies
also have emergency assistance
numbers.
TIPS FOR FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVERS
Always keep to the 4WD track as
going off-road causes soil erosion, a
significant environmental problem in
Australia. Leave gates as you found
them. Obtain permission from the
owners before venturing onto private
station (ranch) roads. On an extended
trip or in remote areas, carry 5 liters
(1.3 gal.) of drinking water per person
per day (dehydration occurs fast in the
Australian heat); enough food to last 3
or 4 days more than you think you
will need; a first-aid kit; spare fuel; a
jack and two spare tires; spare fan
belts, radiator hoses, and air-conditioner
hoses; a tow rope; and a good
map that marks all gas stations. In
seriously remote areas outside the
scope of this book, carry a high-frequency
and CB radio. (A cellphone
may not work in the Outback.) Advise
a friend, your hotel manager, the local
tourist bureau, or a police station of
your route and your expected time of
return or arrival at your destination.
* Offers a basic standard of
accommodations, simply furnished,
with a resident manager.
** Similar standard to one star
but offers more comfort and value
with additional features. These are
well-maintained properties offering
an average standard of accommodations
with average furnishings,
bedding, and floor coverings.
*** Well-appointed, with a
comfortable standard of accommodations,
above average furnishings
and floor coverings.
**** Exceptionally well-appointed
establishments with high quality