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Australia is one of the greatest places in the world to go on a road trip!
Whether you’re a local or an international visitor, there’s so much to be explored. From the awe-inspiring landscapes to the wildlife and attractions. Before embarking on your adventure, there are things that you may wish to plan first. Not all hiccups can be prepared for, and that’s all part of the journey! However, to help ensure that you have a smooth and enjoyable vacation, here is a list of the most important things to consider, as you plan a road trip in Australia.
Weather
Australia is a vast country and across the various states and territories, you will undoubtedly experience very different weather conditions. Some parts of Australia have more distinct patterns, with a clear distinction between the wet and the dry season. For example, some parts of the Northern Territory can get extremely hot and dry so you’ll want to remember the sunscreen and water bottles!
On the other hand, the southern states, such as Tasmania, can get very cold. The west coast in particular has high rainfall, and there is often snow in the mountains, so you will want to plan your wardrobe accordingly. If you’re doing a large trip crossing several states, remember to bring clothes for all weather, you can always remove layers in the warmer climates.
Because of the extreme heat in summer, there are often fire bans placed in specific regions. Before you spark up the campfire, do a quick google search to make sure you’re not breaking any rules, and risking a bushfire (which can be devastating to the wildlife, wilderness, and residents).
Wildlife
Australia is renowned for its wildlife, with everything from creepy crawly insects, and a variety of reptiles, to unique marsupials, and fantastic marine life. Some of the scarier-sounding animals and insects may conjure up some fear, especially for international visitors – who may have heard some exaggerated tales!
In reality, reptiles are not at all interested in getting up close to people. Of course, it pays to watch your step on a hike, but it is not as big of a concern as you probably thought it was.
Something worthy of concern is watching for wildlife while driving. Kangaroos are renowned for jumping into traffic, this is because they cannot jump backward. While you should always drive your car or campervan hire carefully, at dawn and dusk when animals are more active, it pays to be more aware of your surroundings.
Aside from the few warnings, the biggest thing to remember is to enjoy the up-close encounters! You are sure to experience some amazing interactions or observances, of the many beautiful and friendly creatures native to this Australia. From spotting koalas in gumtrees, listening to the kookaburras laughing at sunrise, seeing a mob of emus in the outback, or whale watching on the coastline. There is much more to love and appreciate about the wildlife of Australia than there is to be afraid of!
Accommodation
The best way to road trip Australia is by organizing a camper van hire. There is so much beautiful scenery to be seen when you’re traveling around, and an abundance of campground choices of where to stay. There is a choice of holiday parks, national parks, or free camping. Although you can’t park “anywhere”, there are a lot of free places to stop, such as dedicated rest stops. These can be found on camping apps, like “Discovery Roadtrip”, which is free to download from the Apple or Android app store on your preferred device.
National Parks don’t have large fees, but the amenities vary and they don’t have powered sites. It depends on which kind of campervan you have hired, as to whether they would be suitable for more than one night at a time.
Paid campgrounds have amenities like showers, toilets, and barbecues, and many of them also have playgrounds and games rooms to enjoy some downtime. This is especially popular for families traveling with younger children.
Itinerary
Australia is full of contrasts. On one hand, you have Sydney, which is home to 5 million people… but then you also have the outback, where you may not see another person or vehicle for hours at a time.
Although it isn’t essential to create a solid itinerary, having a general idea of your route, will help with planning the necessities. Stocking up on food, filling up on fuel, and knowing where to stop along the way.
The best thing about a campervan road trip is that the penciled-in itinerary can be easily altered. As you find your favorite places to spend more time or skip over the ones you didn’t fall in love with, you will quite likely want to make adjustments.
What to pack
Where you’re going will determine what you need. If you’re going to a national park where you’re going to be hiking, then you’ll want to take appropriate footwear. If you’re spending the entire time in the north of the country during summer, like Cairns or Darwin, you will be unlikely to need long sleeves! On the other hand, if you’re going to New South Wales in the middle of winter, pack your jackets and a few layers.
If you do decide to rent a campervan, the good thing is that they generally provide all your living equipment and a first aid kit. It means you only need to pack your clothes, toiletries, electronics and chargers, and anything you need to keep the kids occupied.
Don’t forget the camera, charger, and enough SD cards to last you the trip. If you plan on using your phone to take pictures … make sure you’ve downloaded or backed up the files so that you have plenty of storage space to go snap happy!
You can stock up on food, drinks, and snacks once you reach your first destination, so don’t worry too much about that! Try to travel light, road tripping is so much better when your car or van isn’t overloaded with stuff you didn’t need to bring. After a few days or weeks on the road, you start to appreciate the minimalist lifestyle.
