Tips for Australia: Road trips are the epitome of freedom; the open road, the wind in your hair, nobody to answer to, and your destination of choice laid right out before you, begging to be explored.
Sound enticing?
Every year countless people decide to road trip to Australia, and when you consider the vast array of planned trips and landscapes to explore, it’s not surprising that this sprawling landmass is one of the most popular areas to visit on the open road.
Freedom might be one thing, but safety is quite another, and it’s important to remember a few vital points when you’re planning your road trip adventure.
Choose your vehicle wisely
Depending on what kind of trip you’re planning on going on, make sure you pick a vehicle that will suit the terrain you’re heading into. Do some research before you go to make sure you choose wisely. If you’re heading off-road, such as visiting places like popular Fraser Island, then you need a vehicle that is up to the task, such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
Check your licence
Do a little research before you go on whether your driving licence is suitable for use in Australia. On the whole, you can use your particular licence for a particular length of time, before needing to apply for a more regional one, but do check this as depending on your country of origin, and where your licence was issued, depends on the rules.
Carry all paperwork with you
Be sure to carry your passport, licence and insurance documents with you at all times. Keep them in a secure part of the car, such as the glove compartment, just in case you are stopped at all. Random checks do occur, so make sure you have all the necessary paperwork.
Secure your valuables
It might be worth buying a lockable box to put your valuables in, and hiding it in your car somewhere, just in case you happen to stop for a length of time anywhere.
Travel light
There’s no need to be carrying mega amounts of luggage with you, you simply only need the basics, and if you run out of something, it’s easy enough to buy it in the next large town.
Stay in touch
Make sure you touch base with your loved ones, or a dedicated person to know where you are at any given time. I’m not suggesting you call four times a day, but a quick email or message when you get a wifi connection keeps you safe and stops people worrying.
Find out where the campsites are
Do research on your route before you leave, and check out where the campsites are, how much they cost etc. This will stop you from driving around aimlessly and getting lost.
