Choosing The Right Car To Explore Australia
Driving through Australia can be one great adventure after another, punctuated with long peaceful stretches of natural beauty. The landscape is nothing short of breathtaking, the ocean is mesmerizing, and the weather phenomenal. There’s no denying the magic of Australia that has captivated travelers and explorers
for ages.
Of course, Australia can also be an intense experience if you don’t come fully prepared. There are weather considerations you need to have as well as basic wilderness safety and survival things you might want to know if you’re planning on exploring the less populated areas of the country. With that in mind, the following will explore a few key things to focus on to help ensure you’re fully prepared for your trip. Emphasis will be placed on choosing the right vehicle for your adventure, but there will be non-vehicle tips as well.
Maintenance
If you’ve road-tripped in the past, you already know how important it is to make sure your vehicle is in top shape. If you’re renting or buying specifically for the trip, you want to be sure to read reviews provided by other drivers and customers. Some sites like Redlands Mazda in Brisbane even let you limit your vehicle search via price range; their site lets you tailor your search by the car year, make, model and price. If you’re going to use it, you want a vehicle that is well-maintained, especially if your trip is on the longer side.
If you’re using a vehicle you already own, it’s a good idea to have it checked out by your local mechanic. You don’t want to be halfway through your trip with a broken-down vehicle.
Air Conditioning
Australia is lovely, but it’s also hot. Locals know that you need to have decent air conditioning in your vehicle if you want to enjoy your trip and have a safe place to cool down once things get a little too hot outside. Make sure that your air filter has been cleaned or changed if required, as fresh, clean air can dramatically alter the air quality in your vehicle, reducing the risk of headaches or brain fog. It also can improve your fuel mileage by as much as 10%. Filters should be changed every six months at a minimum.
Be sure to ask for a fragrance-free filter or cleaning if someone is changing the filter for you. Fragrance causes inflammation in the body which can make it harder to focus while driving and increase your risk for nearly every chronic illness. If there is a bad smell that you want to cover with fragrance, don’t; bad smells are your body’s way of telling you that breathing in something is harmful to you. Figure out how to clean up the issue rather than covering the scent as covering the scent won’t prevent your body from having to deal with the negative repercussions of contaminated air.
Tire Pressure
Before heading out, make sure that your tires have the appropriate pressure for the temperatures you’re likely to encounter. This makes driving a lot safer.
First-Aid Kit And Roadside Emergency Kit
You should always have both a fully-stocked first-aid kit and a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle, but it’s especially important if you’re wandering through areas with extremely low population density (as is common in Australia). You also probably want a spare tire and a tire-changing kit. If you don’t know how to change a tire, watch a few YouTube videos before heading out. It’s a simple task once you see how it’s done, and this knowledge can save you a ton of headaches later on.
Enough Space For Everyone
If you’re traveling with a group, you want to be sure that the vehicle you choose has enough space for everyone and their stuff to fit comfortably. It’s easy for people to get moody and miss out on the joys of carefree wandering if they’re packed into a small, uncomfortable space. Make sure to stop regularly for people to stretch their legs and move their bodies.
Adequate Insurance
Depending on how long you’re going to be road-tripping and what you’re bringing along with you, you might need to change up your insurance or get extra insurance for the trip. If you have several months’ worth of belongings in a van, for instance, vehicle theft doesn’t just mean losing your vehicle; it means losing almost all your possessions.
The above information should help you ensure that the car you choose to explore Australia with isn’t a hindrance on the trip but rather something that supports a good time. If you have any doubts about your vehicle, speak to a professional mechanic and be clear about what you’re expecting the vehicle to be able to do (distance, 9+ hours of driving per day, storing everyone’s luggage, etc.). A mechanic will let you know if any changes need to be made.
