Christmas holidays means lots of a few things: sun, beach and getting the heck outta town!
So pack the life up into a car – rent one if you have to! – and hit the road, exploring some of your State’s, or further afield, hidden wonders and coastal gems.
We spoke to Mitsubishi who gave us their top 10 tips for a road trip this summer that suits the newest to the most advanced drivers and their desire for a quality ride with a winning destination.
Beat the rush and make an early start to avoid the highway traffic jam. Mitsubishi research indicates the busiest time on the roads this Christmas is likely to be between the 18th and 24th December, with half (48%) of Aussies planning on setting off for the Christmas holiday season between these dates and only one in ten planning to set off earlier than December 18th.
It’s important to protect the family from unexpected encounters with kangaroos on outback roads, or torrential downpours in the middle of rain forests, not to mention accidents and break-ins. As with every vehicle, make sure you have the insurance you need before travelling and purchase roadside assistance for additional support. Life cover never goes astray, either, while you’re at it.
Much to the distress of parents Australia-wide, packing a boot is traditionally known as one of the most complicated and frustrating aspects of holidaying. To help, make sure to fit like-sized items together, with larger and heavier items in first and smaller items in the space between. Although it’s tempting to pile everything in the boot, for safety when driving, always ensure the rear screen is not obscured.
Much like ensuring there are enough drinks and snacks for the kids, it is important to check the vehicle’s vitals are topped up before setting off. This includes windscreen washer fluid, brake fluid, coolant and engine oil. Check these under the hood to ensure they’re all at the correct level.
Checking the tyre pressure and tread, to ensure it’s correct for the terrain the vehicle will be driving in, is important for every road trip. A long journey across the country is not an ideal time to realise the tyres need replacing, or look flat.
Instead of ignoring that mysterious squeaking noise, get the brakes checked and replaced if needed before a long road trip. Brakes should be responsive and bring the vehicle to a stop smoothy and swiftly (without the ear-piercing screeches).
Being able to see wildlife on (or next to) the road and ensuring trucks and other vehicles can see working lights is always imperative when driving, but especially on open country roads.
With 31% of Aussies prioritising interstate travel, that can include long, rural roads with sporadic fuel availability. There’s nothing worse than seeing the fuel warning light come on and knowing the next fuel station is around 100 kilometres away. To save the anxiety around fuel, plan your breaks and ensure the car is filled up at each of those stops.
While last-minute adventures are popular with Aussies, preparation is key. Ensure the family and car are covered by packing an emergency kit including first-aid, blankets, a torch, vomit bag, and spare water. For the vehicle, check your spare tyre, tools and pack a pair of gloves.
Whether it is a road trip to the coast, or across the country, the journey is just as rewarding as reaching the destination. In fact, 60% of Australians said the scenery and the stop offs (47%) along the way are key to a good road trip, so plan your breaks in advance. These coincide with in-car experience (35%), conversations with family and friends (33%), family bonding (27%) and car snacks (22%).