The pandemic put an end to the spontaneous road trip.
We waved goodbye in the rear vision mirror to the days when you could load up the car on a Friday and cheerfully drive off on an adventure
Travel restrictions, border controls and pandemic protocols put the handbrake on travel, and while we might be tentatively emerging from a pandemic ‘lifestyle’ it’s a rare traveller who books a holiday with confidence.
For anyone considering the great Australian road trip, the key to success is careful planning and keeping an eye on the news.
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Preparation should begin well beforehand. Start with making a list of websites that provide accurate and reliable information about the latest border controls. As history has shown, this can change at any minute.
You may also want to download a trip planner. These can be a great resource to estimate travel times and find destinations. But leave room for spontaneity, fronting up to a meal at a sweet little pub or an off the track waterfall may just be the circuit breaker you need.
Talking of room, make sure you have enough. If it’s a long trip, or there will be more than two people in the car, it may pay to invest in a roof box.
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They can add 300-600 litres of storage space and have a safety element, as in the event of a crash they reduce the risk of items flying around the car.
Road trips are great, but even the most ardent long-haul enthusiast is going to get bored at some point. Audiobooks, podcasts – bonus points if it’s about an area you are travelling in – or even just a powerhouse playlist, are vital for keep up morale, and you might even learn something.
Book ahead where you can. In these uncertain times, it’s good to have the security of a bed at night. Besides, if something goes wrong on the road, the last thing you want to be doing is bumbling around trying to find accommodation at 11pm.
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Pack for the conditions. Going to the desert? Fine, but remember it often gets to sub-zero temperatures in the middle of winter. Always pack a pair of bathers. You may be nowhere near the beach, but a hotel pool is a fine thing at the end of a long day on the road.
Check your vehicle. If it’s time for a service, get it done now. If something goes wrong in remote parts of Australia, trying to find parts or even finding a mechanic can ruin your schedule.
And if you are going off the beaten track, pack extra water and petrol and a safety kit that includes a torch, jumper leads and a first aid kit.
All set? Now hit the road.
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