While our roads are often overlooked in the country vs city debate, Aussies who have lived in both can tell you that there are actually some pretty major differences between the neat stretches of bitumen in suburbia and the winding highways between country towns. Even if you're in a fairly populated area, the road you travel won't be anything like what you'd encounter in the city, so it's important to understand the differences before you head out bush.

It Gets Dark Out There

When you're in the city, street lights are pretty much everywhere and your environment is well lit. On a country road, however, it’s not unusual to travel for long stretches with the moon as your only companion.

Because of this, it's important that your headlights are up to the task of keeping you safe and making sure any potential dangers are easily visible. It's worth investing in the best LED driving lights in Australia if you're going to be spending a decent amount of time off the beaten track.

Country Roads Are Nowhere Near As Well Maintained 

This isn't true in every circumstance, but it's common enough that it's something you need to be prepared for before heading out of suburbia. Country roads cost more to maintain than city ones, and they're generally far less travelled on. So, when budgets are tight, it's pretty much a given that city streets are going to take priority over a country highway.

You're Not Guaranteed Signal

When you're driving around the city, there's pretty much always going to be a cell tower nearby. When you're out in the country, however, having low to no signal is a common occurrence in many areas.

You'll want to ensure that you either know how to get where you're going or that your preferred GPS application can still function when not connected to a strong network signal. 

There's A Lot Of Wildlife

In the city, most animals are domesticated and generally know to stay away from cars. Country roads, however, are the playgrounds of kangaroos, wombats, and more. It is important to be aware of wildlife at all times, but it is especially vital around dusk and dawn when these critters are most active. Slow down a little if you don't have easy visibility, and remember never to swerve. As much as it's terrible to hit a roo or other animal, your car can be replaced, but you can't.

Roadside Assistance Will Take A While – If They Can Even Find You

If you're headed out into a rural region, it’s important to be aware that your roadside assistance wait time will be a lot higher than it would be in an urban area. Because you're most likely a lot further from your provider’s base of operations, wait times will increase significantly. That's if you can describe your location well enough for them to even be able to find you.

Mechanical repairs are obviously outside of most people's skill set, but if you're capable of changing a tyre or performing other basic maintenance, we strongly recommend carrying the tools you'd need to get the job done. That way, you won’t be left twiddling your thumbs while a technician tries to locate you.

So there you have it – five things all city drivers need to understand before driving on country roads. If you've got any other tips, share them with the community in the comments, and have yourself a wonderful drive!