Two hundred kilometres from the nearest town, on a corrugated track somewhere west of the Flinders Ranges, is not the place to discover the spare tyre is flat or the first aid kit never made it into the car. Yet that’s exactly how plenty of Aussie road trips go sideways: not because of bad luck, but because of rushed preparation.
The good news is that a solid road trip comes down to two things: a vehicle that’s ready for the journey, and a bag that has everything the people inside it need. Here’s how to get both right.
Get the 4WD ready (and properly protected)
The vehicle is the foundation of any road trip. A few weeks before leaving, it’s worth giving it some serious attention.
A pre-trip checklist
- Book a service at least two weeks out, so there’s time to fix anything the mechanic finds
- Check all tyres, including the spare, for tread depth, pressure and sidewall damage
- Inspect belts, hoses and fluids, especially coolant and brake fluid
- Test the battery, and the second battery too if there’s a dual setup for the fridge
- Do a test pack to check the weight, since roof racks and drawer systems add up fast
Don’t overlook insurance
This is the step many travellers skip. A standard car policy may not fully cover a 4WD that’s been fitted with a bull bar, lift kit, long-range tank or rooftop tent, or one that’s regularly driven off-road. That’s why some 4WD owners look into Club 4X4 specialist insurance, which is designed with modified vehicles and off-road travel in mind.
Take Mick and Sarah from Newcastle. Before their first trip up to Cape York, they added up the accessories on their LandCruiser and realised they’d spent close to $20,000 on upgrades. After reading the fine print on their existing policy, they switched to Club 4X4 specialist insurance so the extras were properly listed and covered. Whatever insurer someone chooses, it’s worth calling to confirm exactly what’s included before heading bush.
Pack the gear that gets everyone home safely
Once the vehicle is sorted, the next job is making sure it carries the right kit for when things don’t go to plan.
The non-negotiables
- Recovery gear: snatch strap, rated shackles, a tyre deflator and a portable air compressor
- Tyre repair kit and a second spare for remote trips
- A well-stocked first aid kit, including a snake bite bandage
- Water: at least 7 litres per person per day for outback travel, plus extra for the vehicle
- Communication: a UHF radio and, for remote areas, a satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB)
Two-way radios are just as handy for convoy travel. One family even used walkie-talkies to keep two cars in touch on their Mediterranean coast road trip, and the same trick works brilliantly on Aussie highways.
Plan the route, then share it
- Check road conditions and closures on the relevant state transport website, especially after rain
- Mark fuel stops and note the longest stretch between them
- Download offline maps, since mobile coverage drops out quickly once off the main highways
- Leave a trip plan with someone at home, including the route and expected check-in times
Don’t forget the personal essentials
After days of dust, heat and campground showers, the little comforts make a big difference to how everyone feels.
A grab-and-go toiletry kit
Keep a small waterproof bag within reach, not buried under the camping gear. It should hold:
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm with SPF and after-sun gel
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser for when water is limited
- A quick-dry towel and thongs for shared showers
- Moisturiser, since outback air dries skin fast
A little luxury goes a long way
It might sound frivolous, but a favourite scent can be a real mood lift on a long trip. After a week of red dirt and campfire smoke, a quick spritz before dinner in town can make someone feel human again.
Sarah, who travelled to Cape York with Mick, packs a travel-size Paris-inspired perfume in her toiletry bag. She says the warm, soft scent is her small daily ritual on the road. When choosing a Paris-inspired perfume or any fragrance for travel, a smaller bottle is best, stored in a shady spot rather than a hot glovebox so the heat doesn’t spoil it.
Anyone planning to live out of a vehicle for a couple of weeks can pick up plenty of packing ideas from this Pacific Northwest road trip in a campervan.
Hit the road prepared
A great road trip starts long before the engine turns over. Two weeks out, book the service and call the insurer to confirm what’s covered. One week out, do a full test pack and check the recovery gear. The night before, pack the personal kit and share the route with someone at home. Then all that’s left is to enjoy the drive.
