Hit the open road with a self-drive holiday, with plenty of beautiful highways to explore, this is a popular option. A few popular journeys:
- Discover Victoria’s Great Ocean Road; this stunning coastal drive complete with, boutique beach side café, walking trails and of course the Twelve Apostles or,
- The Red Centre: Adelaide to Alice Springs, for a bigger adventure keep on driving north to Darwin exploring National Parks and Outback Towns (be sure to have or hire an appropriate vehicle),
- Western Australia, a massive state to explore: Wine Region, Coral Coast, Gibbs Road to name a few,
- South Australia, self-drive through the Barossa Valley or Flinders Ranges. South Australia also has Silo Art, adding a touch or massive art to your trip,
- Tasmania, home of the self-drive if it is windy one side, drive to the other!
- S.W discover the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley, head up the coast and check out Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Northern Rivers and Byron Bay,
- QLD, another massive state, head up the coast or travel inland to Queensland Outback.
Tips for a successful road trip
- Classic Aussie Play List (this is education for the children), must include:
The Horses by Darryl Braithwaite, What About Me by Shannon Noll and You’re the Voice by John Farnham (I am sure you have your own favourites!) If travelling with children have the kids create their own playlist, strictly Aussie Artist ONLY!
- If driving your own car ensure, it has been recently serviced and you have road-side assistance and car insurance details. Should you be hiring a vehicle ensure you have, unlimited KM, be aware of the insurance excess should you become involved in an accident, Roadside Assistant should you break down.
- Book ahead, depending on the time of year you are travelling do not leave accommodation to chance, especially in small towns where the one motel can book out very quickly. If you do not wish to prearrange very night, have an idea of your itinerary, and try book at least 2 nights ahead.
- Driver Revivers, you should stop for every 2 hours for a 15-minute break, this will reduce risk of become tired and unalert. If travelling with children, they too will appreciate stretching their legs.
- In keeping the driver reviver in mind, google ahead to see if there are any points of interest that you could revive at Plus, if you can support a local business through the purchase of a few goodies, you are contributing to a local economy.
Travelling together
Whilst even I cringe at the thought of a self-drive with children an adventure, is only as good as you make it. Travelling with others; friends and families for great stretches need not be cringe worthy if done right. As mentioned above be organized, have an idea of your route, and what potential ‘points of interest’ you can incorporate into your self-drive itinerary honestly… how many pictures of your friends and family have you seen at the Big Prawn followed by the Big Banana? Iconic little must-dos.
Pre-book at least a few nights in advance, this can avoid anxiety if your plans do not go exactly as first-thought. Make use of local visitor centres for local advice: these centres have a great insight into the towns you are visiting. Play some tunes, share the driving, stop every two hours, and arrive to your destination safely.
Benefits of travelling together.
How many of your most treasured memories are the silly ones? I recall a road trip between Cairns and Port Douglas in the smallest hire car possible: comparable to driving a lawn mower. The suitcase barely fit in the back, and the amount of times we had to pull off the road to allow others to overtake was embarrassing… but, we couldn’t stop laughing. This ridiculous car, with this massive suitcase, travelling at putt putt pace, oh dear… In preparation of returning the vehicle the need to re-fueled arose it cost $8.00 to fill the tank! By this stage we were all almost on the ground laughing.
Whenever I see a little car like that, tears form from the laughter that car provided. Moving on as a travel agent, I never book the lead in car for anyone! I cannot remember much else about that holiday, but I remember laughing with my family.
After 2020 we could all do with a laugh, and a bit of fun. So, go on! Round the family up, decide on an itinerary, plan together and hit the road!