There are few more iconic ways to enjoy the sweltering Australian summer months than sunbathing,
surfing and taking a road trip. But fail to prepare adequately for any of them and you’re in for a rough
time. On a road trip, you could end up hundreds of miles from civilization, so it’s important to pack
everything you need if you want your journey to be a fun one. Use the must-haves below as a checklist
to make sure you’re prepared.
Front Window Shade
The Australian summer can see temperatures hit some real extremes, and the insides of vehicles get
many times hotter than the outside. This doesn’t only make it uncomfortable to get into your vehicle
after a brief stop, it can be harmful for both your car and its passengers. Make sure you bring a front
windscreen sun shade to reflect the heat. Otherwise, it could cause plastic surfaces in the interior to
melt or cause heatstroke and dehydration among passengers.
Portable Car Fridge
Staying hydrated on your trip is extremely important, but nobody likes drinking stale, warm water that’s
been sitting in the car for too long. Car fridges, which plug into a vehicle’s USB or 12V outlets, solve this
issue by letting you always keep your drinks cool. You can also use them to store snacks, meaning that
you won’t have to stop as frequently or spend as much money on food from shops along the way.
Seat Organisers
After a few hours in a vehicle, let alone days or weeks, things can start to feel a bit cramped. This is even
more likely to happen if there are several passengers. If you’ve all brought gear, entertainment, food,
and drinks, it can get messy real fast, and that’s no fun to sit in for a long time. Seat organisers help
passengers keep everything out of sight but within easy reach, keeping the car cleaner and more
pleasant.
Phone Mount
Unless you’re going old-school and using a paper map, you’re probably going to use your phone to
navigate at least once on your trip. To minimise the distraction this creates, prepare a phone mount in
advance and put it somewhere where you can quickly glance at it while still keeping your eyes on the road. It’s also good to set up voice commands in advance, so that you can open the maps app hands-free
if you suddenly need it.
Emergency Roadside Kit
No matter how well you plan out your trip, you cannot control everything. What happens if debris in the
road bursts a tyre, your engine packs up, or a fellow traveler accidentally cuts themselves? You might
not have thought about them before, but now that we’ve mentioned them, they seem quite possible,
don’t they? Bring some jump leads, a spare tyre and inflator, and a first-aid kit just in case.
Portable Jump Starter
Jump leads are a good start, but they require another car to help you. That’s no good if you’re in the
outback, hundreds of miles from the nearest town. A portable jump starter will help you solve battery
issues without finding another vehicle, so they’re great to bring along if you expect to do a lot of driving
in remote areas.
Travel Pillows and Blankets
With your playlist booming and the buzz of being with your friends, you’ll feel like you rule the open
road for the first few hours of your trip. But that initial buzz wears off. Sitting inside a vehicle for too
long can lead to discomfort and fatigue. Keeping it clean and tidy helps, as we’ve covered, and so does
sleeping soundly. Opt for memory-foam neck pillows to reduce neck strain, and provide some
lightweight blankets to aid sleep.
Entertainment Options
Modern technology means that you have far more entertainment options than road trippers have ever
had before. You could bring a tablet with your favourite TV shows and movies on it, and you could also
use it to play games. Then there are streaming services where you can play music or audiobooks.
However, make sure to download some of these to the device first. That way, you won’t have to rely on
having a good internet connection.
Roof Racks and Cargo Boxes
Fitting vehicle accessories like a roof rack or cargo box is a great way to provide extra storage for your
trip. A cargo box can help create more room inside your vehicle so that it feels less cramped, while roof
racks give you the option to bring bikes, kayaks, and other items that are too big to fit inside.
Prepare Like a Pro
The idea of a road trip is to enjoy the journey, not just to get you from A to B. That means keeping all
parties safe, cool, hydrated, comfortable, and entertained. It’s a lot to ask, but it’s easily done by
following the checklist above and adding a few of your own ideas.
