Tips for a self-drive holiday in Australia

The allure of a self-drive holiday - open road, beautiful scenery, and the freedom to go anywhere you desire at any time you like, draws more and more vacationers over the years.

Put the bag in the car, driver’s licence in your pocket and you are set to hit the road. Australia’s most popular destinations are best seen by car. The Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road are two of the most common self-drive itineraries. Australia’s well planned road systems and infrastructure make driving adventures comfortable and enjoyable. Are you ready to see the best of what Australia can offer?

For greater of mind, here are some tips that you should keep in mind while on the road:

While most roads are well maintained, you will still come across unsealed roads in the outback and rural areas of Australia. Additional precaution is highly advised when driving on these roads. Reduce speed and avoid driving between dusk and dawn as road visibility could decrease at these hours. Avoid night road travel in mountainous terrain since steep downhill or uphill grades can put more strain on your vehicle’s main components. Remember that cars are reliant on their headlights to light up the road, so if your headlights are not working, it will be unsafe to continue driving.

Be sure to drive only when the weather condition is fair. Bad weather affects visibility and road safety. Use online applications to check weather conditions frequently so you don’t have to make more stopovers than you intend. Australia has some reliable mobile apps that can help you predict whether it will be a great day for a self-drive. One great app that you can use is WeatherZone – a FREE app that gives you the latest updates on weather conditions and local forecasts in Australia. Another app that you can trust is AUS Weather. The information in this app is sourced directly from Australian Bureau of Meteorology, ensuring you that you always get accurate information as you travel.

Emus, kangaroos, and koalas are known to wander into traffic unexpectedly in Australia. This happens frequently in low light or during dusk and dawn. Look out for wildlife signage along the roads and reduce your speed when you see them.

Australian Traffic Police carries out mobile drug testing as well as breathalyzer tests throughout the year to ensure public safety. It is an offence if you drive with a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.05 in some states such as Victoria.

Fill up the petrol tank regularly to avoid being stranded in remote areas. Rural roads could run for miles without any petrol station. If you are planning off-road trips or driving to more isolated areas, bring along extra petrol with you.

No matter how excited you are about your next adventure, never take the risk of travelling without travel insurance. This tip should not be taken for granted as it may be of great help if an unexpected problem happens while you are on the road. Check out Chubb Travel Insurance for more details on how you can get an individual trip insurance or family travel insurance today.