Every now and then we all need to escape from the usual routine of our busy lives, to live simple for a few days, to take the time to breathe in some fresh air and journey along an open road that never ends.
What better way to do this than to venture on a road trip with your best of friends who will guarantee you one memorable adventure. You might be a little clueless as what to do on a road trip; if you are then you should remain that way. It’s not about choosing a destination and getting there with a plan, an exact time and date of arrival.
Do the road trip kind of things; explore the scenery, shop for rare finds, mix with the locals, record everything, learn more about your friends with “the first time I…” stories, they will always get conversation going. Be creative and that will take you anywhere. Here are some points on how to make the most of your road trip experience…
1.The People You Go With – get a group of friends together who are spontaneous, willing to have fun and are up for a good time. There’s nothing worse than having one person who expects to stay in a five-star hotel every night; that just won’t work for anyone. Remember, these people will be your number one source of entertainment and you will be with them over the whole trip, be prepared to get to know your friends on a whole other level.
2.Get Together and Plan – make lists of places you all might like to visit, drives you want to take and things you want to do. Decide on what each of you want to get out of the trip and why you want to do it. Look into different places; plan your destinations, time periods, drivers, what you will need and budgets. Don’t over-plan though, that would defeat the entire purpose of the trip.
3.Choose A Place – every state in Australia is full of contrast; oceanic coastlines, wild landscapes, ancient forests, native wildlife, panoramic views, picturesque country outback, endless sunsets, colonial history, sandy beaches and remote deserts. Go online or read a book to find the perfect road trip destination for your group, read reviews and choose something for all of you.
4.Make CD’s – most of your time will be spent in the car/campervan so take some CD’s that you want to play along the way. It’s always good to make playlists with songs that have meaning and a memory attached; greatest hits of a certain decade, the songs you loved growing up or that particular song that was played at every club you went to when you turned eighteen.
5.Pack What You Don’t Want – these are usually the things you’ll need most. Keep in mind, most of the time you will literally be in the middle of nowhere and can’t rely on petrol stations, convenience stores or the help of strangers. Pack some healthy food into a cooler bag with a zipper along with some ice – the healthier you eat the more energy you will have to drive and explore, take a gallon of water and a gallon of oil, a jumper cable, bug spray, blankets, mosquito net, pocket knife, first aid kit, duct tape and at least two sets of keys – just in case.
6.Be Aware – of speed limits, restricted parking spots, unreliable GPS navigations, potholes, toll roads and anything else that can result in expensive fines in the mail, a flat tire or a moment of stress.
7.Go! – If you pass a billboard, a place you want to see or somewhere you want to stop off at, get out and do it. Take the scenic route when you can, you will be amazed at how beautifully diverse one> country can be. Don’t focus on time or plans too much; being spontaneous is a huge part of making the most out of your trip.
So if you’re planning a road trip, remember nothing but to entirely enjoy the experience; be free, don’t plan too much, be spontaneous, enjoy every moment, learn from your experience, take photos of absolutely everything and record your experience. Have fun and let the road lead the way.
