The Great Aussie Road Trip is a rite of passage for every Australian uni student.  

Usually taken in the summer break when your bank account is too low for Europe (but you’re itching to get away somewhere) a road trip is great for friends, tunes, and dust. 

Whether you’re hitting up the east coast or doing two weeks straight across the desert, there’s some things we all share in common and tips to take note of. 

#1 A Lot Of The Desert Looks The Same 

Australia’s a pretty big place. Yet despite being one of the largest countries in the world, if you drive from one side to the other you’re going to see a whole lot of dirt. Maybe some low-level shrub as well. Which is all fun and games, until you’re six hours into nothing but dirt and quite literally would kill for a palm tree. 

#2 Kangaroos Are More Common And Scary Than You Think 

Think Skippy is an adorable little scamp? Wrong. When you’re going 100km per hour things can get a whole lost more sinister. With red kangaroos growing up to 90kg and the risk of them absentmindedly bouncing across the road, these national animals are kind of terrifying. I once had to have a car door replaced due to kangaroo damage, so it’s best to keep your travel to day light hours and stay alert. 

#3 You Probably Won’t Have Internet  

If you live in a major city, odds are you’re used to being connected 24/7. However, once you get a bit further out, reception gets a bit patchy and you might not realise how much you needed it. Make sure you have your Spotify playlists downloaded otherwise that U2 album that’s automatically on your iTunes is going to get real old, real quick.  

#3 The Great Ocean Road Is More Than Just Ocean 

Look, no shade to The Great Ocean Road. It’s plenty nice, and there are some nice twists and turns plus some nice little towns. But let’s be real, it’s not all entirely ocean. In fact the Victorian leg is an awful lot of forest for something called GREAT OCEAN. Just saying.  

#4 Drive-Thru Breakfast Is A Necessity 

via GIPHY

If you haven’t started your road trip with a trip to Macca’s (or any other greasy fast food), is it really a road trip? Whether you’re leaving at 4am or 12pm, a hash brown is always appropriate. 

#5 Car Games Can Get Fiercely Competitive 

There are two types of people in the world. Those who think car games are a fun way to pass the time, and those who must crush everyone in their quest to achieve Car Game Greatness.

(Lead image: Raphael Rychetsky / Unsplash)