I haven’t done a lot of traveling in 2020 and 2021 for the obvious reasons but this does not stop me from researching and planning future adventures like… Australia!
There is no better place than Australia to take the best road trip with your nearest and dearest. The Outback provides a wide range of road trips, from challenging and rugged terrains to spectacular coastlines and historic towns. There’s no lack of things to do out there; you can either explore it on your own or take some time off to go on some excursions.
Whatever you decide to do there are a few things you should know ahead of time to ensure a smooth, safe and enjoyable road trip in Australia. Let’s take a look together!
Speed limits
Like the majority of countries, Australia has speed limits, but they are particularly fastidious when it comes to enforcing them, so always stick to them. Going just a few kilometres over the speed limit of the road will land you with a hefty fine which can take the shine off the road trip and make it an expensive trip!
Aside from keeping an eye out for speed limit signs, make sure your rental car has GPS. They usually already show the speed limit so you can change your driving accordingly. Your car hire in Perth company will also be able to give you advice on local speed limits too.
Look at weather forecasts before you set off
In Australia, it’s incredibly hot, with some places being more so than others. For instance, I want to visit in January, for my birthday and have a hot summer birthday instead of a winter one. But that’s just me : )
For a more enjoyable road trip, visit the southern and middle territories in the summer when it’s cooler, and the northern territories in the winter when it’s colder.
Manly Beach seems like a great place for a summer birthday party; Photo by Simon Rae on Unsplash
Make sure you have budgeted
Expect to spend money on gas and snacks depending on how long you want to travel. Before you leave on your tour, do some preliminary research on camp park fees, if any, and fuel prices to get a sense of what to expect. My research shows that if you plan on driving for the whole day, expect to spend at least AUD 100 on petrol.
Expect to lose phone signal
It does not sound that bad to lose your phone signal for a while, but you must also be careful. Australia is a huge place and in some areas, phone signal is still very sparse. It is important to remember this particularly if you go off the beaten track, especially if you are walking or climbing somewhere.
Make sure someone knows where you are heading to and what time you should arrive, and where possible, carry out a satellite phone so that you can always make a call in an emergency.
Take notes of stopover places
Once you have decided which state or territory you want to visit, you will notice that there are several parks and reserves that campers can visit. Protected camping areas, charging stations, private showers, and picnic shelters are all available at these locations. If you find yourself on the road for an extended period of time, you can rest at any of the sites and pay only a small fee to camp. They provide somewhere safe and comfortable to recharge your batteries.
Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton – perfect for a road trip, right? Photo by Benjamin Punzalan on Unsplash
Australia seems a truly wonderful place to visit, and it is the perfect place to go exploring, especially for someone living and traveling mainly in Europe. These tips should make it a little smoother so that you can enjoy everything Australia has to offer.
I can’t wait to visit in the near future! Until then, here are some safe travel ideas for this year.