Most caravans, unless suitably modified or custom-built are not designed to travel along rough outback tracks. However, you can read the Difficulty Rating Guide (indicated by the number of vehicle symbols) given in each of our Trek Notes to get a gauge of what tracks are suitable. Certainly, it is true that more and more tracks are being improved by councils to ensure that tourists with caravans can access most of the major attractions.
In general, a heavy duty, custom-built offroad trailer can go just about anywhere, eg.
Cape York. However, there are some
places where due to land ownership, requests have been made to the public to refrain from towing trailers. 2 major areas where this is true is the
Simpson Desert and the
Canning Stock Route.
The South Australian Dept of Environment and
Heritage advise that trailers are not to be towed through the
Simpson Desert. This is stated in every "Desert Parks Bulletin". Although there is currently no "fine" for towing a trailer, you will incur an enormous "fine" if you have to abandon a trailer in the desert. It will also become your responsibility to retrieve the trailer at your expense... and this is considerable! The
Simpson Desert does not get graded so if you chop it up, it stays that way still the next rains or winds. Vehicles do make quite an impact on the dune system and towing trailers is simply stupid! If you must, take the
Rig Road only.
Along the
Canning Stock Route, you may not use the section of track that is now owned by private pastoralists - Cunyu Station. There is an alternative route for travellers with trailers but there is a charge to use this track (to cover track maintenance). For further details, read the CSR Trek Note.
We ask you to consider the impact that towing a trailer may make on the tracks you use and how that will affect the enjoyment of the trip for other travellers coming along after you.