There’s really no better way to connect with friends or relatives than by taking a road trip. Hours trapped in a car with others could, of course, be a nightmare (especially when traveling with teens), but more likely you’ll find that you’re singing familiar songs, relating stories that no one has heard (or recounting tall tales that have been rehashed a hundred times to the delight of listeners), and generally spending quality time with the ones you love. But if you set out blindly, without attending to at least a few basic necessities, then you may find that you encounter some problems down the road. And it is imperative that you have a plan when you travel in Australia’s backyard, which can harbor many dangers for the unwise voyager. Here are just a few tips to keep you on track when you tour the outback by car.
1. Plan your route, bring a map. Do you really think you’re going to find cell towers and satellite signals in the middle of nowhere? Probably not. And yet, you decided to rely on your smart phone or GPS to guide you through the outback. Brilliant. It’s always a good idea to cart along an old-school paper map with a highlighted route (yes, you’ll have to use a highlighter pen to do this). If you lose reception or the batteries go out on your Garmin, you’ll be very happy you brought along this lightweight tool. You can even mark gas stations and eateries along the way so you know when to fill up (both the gas tank and the people).
2. Bring plenty of water. This is not only a good idea for thirsty travelers, but it could also help you out in a pinch. If your car overheats, you can add some cool water to the radiator and hopefully make it to your destination (or at least a gas station where you can purchase some radiator fluid). If your car flat out breaks down and you have to hoof it in the hot sun, extra water will definitely come in handy. Along those same lines, you should bring snacks like fresh fruit and power bars (both healthy, slow-burning fuels that are also portable).
3. Pack for the season. Summer days can get as hot as 50˚C (120˚F) while winter nights can be as chilly as -10˚C (15˚F) on average. So if your heat or AC is on the fritz, you need to be prepared to deal with the climate. And don’t forget that rain is common (especially during the summer months) and the downpour can be torrential. So bring along some wet-weather gear just in case.
4. Get a full inspection. You might not be too keen to shell out the dough for a full work-up on your automobile, but you definitely don’t want to break down in the middle of the desert because you failed to find and fix a simple problem. Make sure to top off all your fluids and check important features like AC, headlights, and windshield wipers.
5. Stay in the car. One of the many amazing sights you could encounter on your trip across the outback is an array of wildlife. However, this is not the zoo. Stay in the car with the windows rolled up whenever you encounter animals in the wild! This brings up another excellent point, which is that you should always bring a medical kit when you’re far from civilization.
Michael Appel writes for Breakdown Cover where you can find Aviva Car Insurance and other great providers, rates, and guides.