With all its vastness, cultural diversity and natural awe, exploring Australia can be done best through a road trip with friends or family. Because of the unique juxtaposition of vibrant cities against a backdrop of stretched-out beaches and bushlands, and forests, there is no doubt that beautiful experiences await anyone with a thirst for adventure and exploration. But all this immensity comes at a price—stretches upon stretches of city and open roads. While public transportation is an option, it’s not practical—much less feasible if you’re travelling with a group with all your luggage.
Relying on public transportation will require you to learn the routes beforehand and adjust your itineraries to their schedules. A quick fix is to fuel your adventure with a rental car. This way, you’ll have complete control of your itinerary and schedule while enjoying the comfort and safety of driving your vehicle. Plus, rental cars come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you need a compact vehicle for zipping through cities or a full-sized SUV to take you across different sceneries, you can rent them all—you’d also be pleased to know that car rentals are an affordable option, especially when you snag a couple of deals and discounts.
Before You Go Out and Explore
Road trips, especially in Australia, call for a few essentials to ensure your comfort, safety and enjoyment. This is why we’ve curated a list of non-negotiables you should have for your great Australian adventure.
GPS or Map
Gone are the days when GPS devices are the stuff spy movies and National Geographic journalists. Today, almost every smartphone will be equipped with its own GPS-based navigation system, where you can easily plan and see your routes to your desired destination. But if you’re not sure if you’ll be getting a consistent mobile signal throughout your road trip, you should make a point to download an offline route or dust-off the good old faithful map.
Camera and Tripod
Sure, again with the smartphones with their fancy 5-lens cameras—but nothing beats a real standalone camera capable of taking quick shots in tricky lighting. And if your phone is the only thing that’s keeping the kids in the back seat busy, you might think twice before taking it from them to take the shot. And, as for the tripod, it just makes everything easier, especially when you want to set up a nice shot of yourself against the open outdoors.
Insect Repellent
This is pretty self-explanatory. You’re going on a road trip to collect adventures, not insect bites.
Sunscreen and SPF Lip Balm
We all know how unforgiving the Australian sun can get. Mix it up with the dry air and you’re in for chapped lips and sun-burnt skin. Remember, you might be travelling by car, but you’ll be spending a considerable amount of time exploring on foot, especially when you’re off to a camping site and other outdoor adventures.
Torch or Lantern
Not just for when you go camping; a rechargeable or battery-powered light can help heaps if you miscalculate your travel time and got caught in a nighttime emergency situation.
First Aid Kit
Outdoor adventures are synonymous with scrapes and bruises. Make sure you have the essentials at hand, including wound dressing and disinfectant. It’ll be also a good idea to bring along anti-allergy medication and don’t forget to ensure you have enough of your regular meds if you’re taking them.
Where Can I Rent a Car for my Road Trip?
Alpha Car Hire has an exciting selection of late-model vehicles, ranging from compact cars and economy cars, all the way to family-sized SUVs. Our rates are always the lowest in the market and we offer multiple and flexible payment methods for your convenience. We have locations strategically placed in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Sydney. Unlike other car hire companies, we are not just here to provide you with transportation, we are fully committed to helping you create wonderful memories with friends and family. Book your car with us today!