bike bits - racks
Busting a rear rack on some isolated track out a long way from the nearest bike shop might turn out to be terminal for that leg of your journey.
A sturdy alloy or stainless steel rack is essential.
Tubus or Old Man Mountain racks are not easy to find in Australia, even in the state capitals. Any suitable replacement will be difficult outside a good bike shop.
There aren’t many well-stocked bike shops in Central Australia.
If you need to buy a new rear rack, consider getting a double-rail one. It lowers the load a little, improving stability and making it easier to remove any rack-top bag.