Australia is one of the world’s premiere road-trip destinations. One day you’re watching the waves from an amazing coastal highway, and the next you’re in the outback, surrounded by nothing but desert for miles. However, the country has its challenges for motorists, and your trip will be much more fun if you’re well-prepared for them. Here are some handy tips to help make long drives down under more comfortable, from packing car shades to preparing for wildlife encounters.
Invest in Quality Car Shades
The strong Australian sun will send its beams straight through your windows, making it hot inside and causing UV damage. A sunshade helps keep you protected. The best car shades in Australia are ones that magnetically attach, as these are very easy to install and remove, but you can also buy clip-on ones. Your windscreen is the most important thing to cover, but you should place smaller ones on your back windows if passengers will be sitting by them.
Start Early
Outside of major cities, traffic is not likely to be much of a concern on your drive, but it’s still sensible to make an early start when possible. This way, you can make significant progress on your journey and then find somewhere to lie up during the hottest part of the day, which is a good idea because having your air-con on full blast drains extra fuel. You’re also less likely to encounter wildlife than you are driving at night.
Pack a Cooler
In some parts of Australia, there are hundreds of miles between shops where you can buy drinks and snacks. Travelling without these, you risk dehydration and fatigue. That’s why it’s sensible to pack a portable cooler with tasty, nutritious foods like fruit and cucumbers, as well as water. This will help keep you hydrated and provide the energy you need to stave off fatigue. Avoid having too much caffeine or sugar, as these can lead to tiredness later.
Maintain Proper Posture
Your driving experience is one of those areas where small improvements can lead to a large gain. One example is packing a rolled towel or cushion to provide lumbar support throughout your journey. Simply correcting your posture can significantly increase your comfort, energy levels, and mood while driving. This is because it helps keep your blood circulating properly and prevents your muscles from seizing up. You should also use breaks as opportunities to do some light stretches and movements.
Break Your Drive Up
Long drives are just like long-term goals, in that it’s important to hit important milestones along the way so that you can see the progress you’re making and not become overwhelmed. Try to break up your journey into legs of two or three hours, then take a short break at the end of each one. To make your trip more fun, try to take your breaks at interesting locations and landmarks.
Prepare for Wildlife Encounters
When you travel around Australia, it’s sensible to be prepared for encounters with the country’s unique wildlife. Travelling early and avoiding night driving can help avoid them, but it is still possible to find emus, kangaroos, and wombats on remote roads at any time. Pay attention to road signs warning you about wildlife so that you can reduce your speed. You should also save the numbers of some wildlife rescue services to your phone in case you injure any.
Conclusion
With the right preparation, Australia is an amazing place for long-distance driving. Simple tips like blocking out the sun with car shades, dealing with the vast open roads by splitting your journey up, and following the other recommendations on this list will help you overcome most of the country’s major challenges.
