Before setting off to travel Australia- we needed to prepare and make sure we had all of our bases covered. This was going to be our way of life for an extended period of time. We needed to think of everything and make sure that we had tied up all our “loose ends” and of course make sure that financially, a trip like ours was going to be possible.

Below is a list we put together of things we needed to consider- it may be a handy guide for anyone else that is planning a trip such as ours:

(there may be a few things there that you havent considered)

Things we needed to consider before we set off:

The COST’S of travelling and living on the road

• What will the accommodation costs be (what options are available)

• Fuel expenses (especially  for remote areas)

• Food expenses

• Phone/Internet plans & coverage (what was the best value for us)

• Car servicing (how often, whats needed, tools to DIY)

• Personal expenses (general)

• Leisure Expenses (set aside a budget for attractions etc)

• Unexpected costs (backup funds or emergency funds)

  Other important things to consider

• Mail collection/forwarding (what options are available)

• Insurance (options: car/travel/health etc)

•  Will we need Roadside Assistance (we chose NRMA as they offered great advantages)

• Storage Fee’s (for our furniture back home)

• Emergency Contact numbers- a list to have handy just incase

• Vehicle Registrations (legal requirements whilst being interstate, how to renew etc)

• Caravan Park Association Fee’s (we joined FPA and Top Tourist to save 10% off each stay)

• Access to bank accounts and other financial affairs- setting up online banking and getting online statements

  Life on the road

• Communication/mobile UHF- what was the best option for us

• Phone Coverage- we went with Virgin (OPTUS) for our everyday phones but bought a cheap Telstra Prepaid Next G for greater range in remote areas (still not 100% coverage tho)

• Water storage- how much do we need? how to store it?

• Fuel Storage- how much will we need?

• Cooking, kitchen utensils- what was essential?

• LPG Storage (safety wise and quantity of LPG to take)

• Clothing- what clothes we needed / how much to take / how to store them (keep them dry, dust free etc)

• Personal Toiletries

• Bedding / Linen

• Lighting and power (battery and 240v options)

• Entertainment / kids toys / books / DVD’s etc

• Food Storage / pantry essentials

• Fridge options

• GPS Navigation

• Road Atlas and digital maps (we chose HEMA because they have the best range)

• Shower and water heating (We chose a HELTON in-vehicle HWS)

• Camera and Charger- we needed to organise another SD card and purchased a 12v battery charger (spare batteries are very handy)

• Laptop Power Supply- we grabbed a 12v Charger from Dick Smith ($80) to use in the car

• Toilet – we use an OZtrail Portable Toilet

• Insect spray / Mozzie coils

• Hygiene and Cleaning (what and how to store chemicals safely)

• Spare ropes, pegs etc

• Tool kit

• Broom / Rake / Spare Tarps / Poles

• Recovery gear, rope, jack, snatch-strap, d-shackles, shovel, air compressor, air jack, torch, tyre repair kit.

• Getting the car serviced and ready for travel pre-trip

• Spare fuel, air and oil filters, coolant, oil, brake fluid, hoses.

• List of filter and brake pad part numbers.

• Security (personal and equipment) Padlocks, chains, spare keys, fire safety etc

• Carrying cash (how to carry and how much)

• Medication/first aid kit

• Fire Extinguisher/Fire Blanket

• EPIRB

• Carrying Important documents (what  was needed / how to carry without getting wet etc)

• General safety inspection of car and trailer, including tyres, coupling, lights, bearings etc.

• Personal well-being- how would we cope travelling, how well would our kids handle traveling.

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