Topping things one needs around the outback (4)
I believe the answer is:
hats
'topping things one needs around the outback' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'needs around the outback' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
'needs' could be 'has' ('have' can be a synonym of 'need') and 'has' is found within the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hats that I've seen before include ""Porkpie" and "pillbox" attire" , "Headdresses" , "Headwear" , "Headgear" , "Milliner's stock" .)