A trip in Australia is never complete without experiencing the wilderness and the great outdoors of the outback.
The long stretch of space filled with natural creation (sand, rock formation, trees, and wild animals) tells a lot about the nation’s rich history and beautiful surroundings. It’s one of the sought-after destinations by adventure-junkies looking for a unique travel experience in Australia. In fact, there has been an increase in drive tourism in western Queensland (20.2%) last year, which is the most popular spot for nature lovers. There’s an outback in all the states in Australia, although some are remote locations, which are considered unsafe for many tourists.
Visiting the outback will need plenty of preparation, especially for those travelling with little children. While some may have the luxury of paying tour guides to help them plan their family vacation easily, it might not be the case for all vacationers. To help you out, here are some important safety tips for families planning to embark on this one-of-a-kind journey to the Australian outback.
Execute a travel plan
The outback is not an ideal location for travellers who are fond of comfort and convenience. Being in a remote location, one needs to understand that accessibility of most-things convenient are not known here, so it’s always advisable to create a travel plan and execute it accordingly. First, never forget to visit your doctor before leaving your home to ensure you are fit-to-travel and ready to embark on this strenuous journey. Often, they may suggest that the whole family gets the appropriate vaccinations to combat known diseases in the area. This is highly necessary for families with small kids as their low immune system makes them an easy target for diseases. Second, create a travel plan that comes with a less tight schedule, as sometimes natural disasters such as flash flood during monsoon can ruin your planned trip. Having enough time on your trip will also ensure that your family is enjoying the journey and aren’t too tired at the end of the day. Lastly, acquire a reliable map. While you may have your handy map app on your smartphone, it may not be that reliable once you reach the outback, as the signal is not that strong out there. It’s still best to get the updated map of the destination either from the frontdesk of your hotel or online to know your exit points. Discuss the map and important contact numbers to your children so they’ll know the next steps in case they get lost.
Pack things accordingly
Since most convenient things (electricity and water) are not apparent in the outback, it’s best to pack accordingly for your family. May resources advise travellers not to under or overpack for any trip, but there are important things you need to carry if you will be travelling with kids. A resource on travel guide for kids safety said that 30% of parents view packing as ‘the most stressful part of going on a holiday.’ It’s ideal to create a checklist, so you won’t miss any important items in your luggage that will help the children to stay comfortable in this journey. The travel guide also presented an ultimate packing checklist for parents from essential documents, medical supplies, hand luggage and more. Take note that children need to stay comfortable in the whole journey, so it might help to bring at least two of their favorite toys (blocks and clay) to keep them occupied, especially on a long trip.
Drive safely
The best way to experience the outback is by driving your way out there with your family. You will be able to experience the beauty of the scenery and stop at picture-perfect locations to use your camera. However, driving in the area is not the same as when you are in the city, as the rules are different and extra caution are advisable for travelers to follow, here are some of them:
- Only visit the outback during daytime.
- Ask advice from about the weather and road conditions.
- Do not risk going to closed roads.
- Watch out for animal crossing.
- Get a permit to visit the location.
Keep your eyes and focus on the road at all times. But, if you happen to experience any problem while in the outback, this list of emergency contact numbers will help you get the assistance you need.
Get a travel insurance
Many may consider this investment a waste of money, but a travel insurance is important for those vacationers going on an adventurous trip, such as in the outback. Although your GP may give your whole family with the necessary vaccinations, it’s not an assurance that you will not acquire any sickness while in the foreign land. But, what if you did get hospitalized in Australia? Are you financially ready to pay for the expense? Accidents can happen anytime, and the only way to prepare for it is by acquiring a comprehensive travel insurance. The best coverage to get will be the one that protects you from medical/hospital expenses, fee from cancellation of accommodation or trip, personal liabilities, luggage and personal effects and more. If you are planning to try a few extreme adventures in the outback, make sure to discuss it with your provider to know whether they will cover the said case. The most ideal travel insurance will be the one that extends the coverage to your family and will allow you to travel when an emergency arises. To help put your mind at ease you want to make sure that your home insurance is active too, to protect you and your valuables whilst traveling. For longer trips, you may want to take a look into Verisure Alarm Systems, for example, as the surveillance element means you can monitor your house wherever you are on your travels, giving you peace of mind all around.
