Road Trips
The roads on the east coast are generally great to drive on – just watch out for any rogue ‘roos! They do have a habit of jumping out of nowhere and can cause serious damage to your vehicle, not to mention themselves.
As well as informing people of your plans, take plenty of water and food in case of an emergency. It is essential to learn how to carry out simple vehicle maintenance like changing a tyre before you hit the road. Be sure to check your oil, water levels and tyre depth before you start off and after each long section.
Fatigue is, unsurprisingly, one of the biggest problems. If possible, plan regular stopovers in towns on the trip rather than attempt it all in one. If time is crucial, there are regular sites called ‘Stop Revive Survive’ stops, where you can get some much needed free coffee and biscuits as well as a stretch of the legs.
Alcohol is a definite no. Abstinence is the best route to take regarding drink. This counts for the night before driving too. If you have been out drinking the previous night, there is a very high chance that you will still be over the limit the next day so exercise extreme caution. Australian police are very tough on drink driving, with random breath tests very frequent. The same goes for smoking marijuana. The police have recently set up marijuana tests on the roads of Australia. The fines and punishments for both offences are enough to ruin your holiday.
With a long straight road in front of you and seemingly no one around there can be a temptation to just put your foot to the floor, but resist it. Police have high-tech equipment that can clock you speeding from a great distance with a resulting fine of at least $300. Above all, drive safely and sensibly, take in the scenery rather than obsess about getting to your destination as quickly as possible.
A detailed map is essential to plan your route. A great website is www.whereis.com for detailed written directions.
If you are unsure of any road rules or need further advice, www.nrma.com.au is the best place for road trippers in Oz.
Tip: Watch out for road trains when travelling by car!
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