Sorry for joining the thread late (been outta town).
The description in the original post sounds more like rural Alaska than our deserts or prairies.
We have our problems (poor communications, sparse radar coverage, etc) but things generally work out fine with a little resourcefulness--a quality that I'm sure is as common in the bush of Australia as it is in the Alaskan bush.
I'd gladly answer more questions but I'll have to apologize right now for any delay as I'm leaving town again soon.
By the way, I used to fly Metroliners down the Aleutian chain and out in the Bering Sea so I understand about being IFR and out of radio contact.
Hint: Over-flying aircraft are a big help. They're usually bored as hell and more than willing to help out.
