Take your own personal tour guide when visiting outback

Digital tour guides hit the Northern Territory

CARAVANNERS can now have their own personal tour guide on board when they hit the Northern Territory's outback.

The obliging companion will tell fascinating stories about colourful local characters, life on cattle stations and how Aborigines interpret animal tracks in the desert.

And when you tire of listening you can easily silence your talkative escort for some peace and quiet.

But don't worry, you won't offend your travel assistant ... for the NT's remote regions have gone digital with the launch of the do-it-yourself tour guide on CD or MP3.

"It's the perfect companion for caravanners and other travellers wanting to enhance their travels in Central Australia," company director Laurelle Halford told Caravanning News.

"The outback has a wider story to tell than people realise. The first two tours we have launched are from Alice Springs to Uluru, and The Red Centre Way (West MacDonnell Ranges). Many travellers see Australia's outback highways as lonely, straight stretches of bitumen.

"But our product gives self-guided travellers a new experience by bringing to life the stories of our early pioneers, Aboriginal culture, flora, fauna and natural history."

The audio tours are loosely timed to coincide with landmarks along the journey, provided travellers drive within the speed limit.

"The next route to be launched in the NT will be Alice Springs to Darwin," Laurelle said. "We are also working on covering other outback roads across Australia, as well as GPS-triggered tour commentaries."

More information and an audio sample are available at www.diytourguide.com.au

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