Australia is filled with dynamic cities, picturesque coastlines and wild wilderness areas. It can be tricky to see all of these things during a single trip to the country, but one of the best ways to see them all is to rent a car and cruise around the city by car. Road trips allow you to choose your own pace and to spend time seeing what you want to see so that you do not miss a thing.

Planning a road trip in Australia can be a bit tricky, especially for first-time tourists. Beyond the basics that you need to pack, there are some absolute must-haves that you need to include on your travel checklist. Securing these items before you go will help to keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your time on the road.

Let’s look at five specific things that you need to purchase for your next Australian road trip.

Travel Insurance

Whether you are a tourist in Australia or a local, it is important to have adequate travel insurance, such as a policy from www.tickinsurance.com.au. Travel insurance coverage can help you pay for unexpected expenses that may pop up along the way. If you encounter trouble somewhere along the way, financial setbacks can quickly bring your travels to an end. However, with insurance, you can get reimbursed for many unplanned expenses and prevent your road trip from being ruined.

Travel Mug/Water Bottle

Taking a reusable travel mug or water bottle is essential for staying hydrated while on the road. This will help you to minimise waste and stay healthy during those long days of driving. While refilling the bottle may be a bit of a hassle, you are bound to find opportunities for this at petrol stations along the way.

Australian Road Map

While phones and GPS are a blessing for navigating a new area, technical difficulties can quickly cause you to lose your way and get into trouble. Batteries can die and GPS units may lack detailed maps for the area where you are travelling. To know where you are and where to go next, it is a good idea to have a physical road map of Australia just in case.

Spare Money

Especially for tourists who are taking to the open road in Australia, it is a good idea to have at least a bit of cash in the vehicle during your road trip. In some far-flung places, you may not be able to use your credit or debit cards, although this is common in many areas. To be on the safe side, having cash will keep you going until you can find a suitable bank machine.

Spare Tire

Finally, it is important to take a spare tire, along with the equipment that you might need to change it, on your next Australian road trip. While you will hopefully not actually need to use this item, it is essential to have just in case you find yourself stranded at the side of the road with a flat, and no service station is in sight.

As a bonus, keep some other safety essentials in the car, including a basic first aid kit. You never know when it might come in handy.

Drive Safely!

While a comprehensive checklist needs to include more essentials, these are some of the absolute must-haves that no road trip enthusiast should go without. Packing these items will go a long way towards keeping you on the road and away from all kinds of trouble.