Travel

Preparing to go

To ensure your holiday is stress free and relaxing it is important that you take off on your trip away assured that your plans are in order, your house is secure, your car is up for the drive and you’re ready for the trip ahead.

• Plan your route in advance including rest stops along the way and take an accurate map with you. Use our online trip planner or purchase a hardcopy map online or from an RACV shop.
• Pre-book accommodation especially during peak holiday seasons so you don’t end up spending hours searching for a vacancy after a long drive.
• Make sure you’re well rested before a lengthy drive and if possible share the driving to avoid fatigue. Read our seasonal driving tips to prepare for the long drive.
• Take some in-car entertainment for the kids.
• Take a look at the national public toilet map to see the public toilets along your route in case of that inevitable emergency.
• Check out all the holiday activities you can save money on with RACV in our theme parks and attractions section.

Secure your house

Burglaries often occur when home owners are away on holidays. You can reduce the risk of theft and break-ins by taking some precautions and giving your home a 'lived in' look.

• Secure all doors and windows with quality locks.
• Make your home seem 'lived in' by leaving a radio and/or light on. Consider timers for lights, television and radio to suggest you are home.
• Install motion sensor security lighting around the outside of your house.
• Consider installing a home security system. Find out about RACV Home Security Systems.
• Arrange for mail (and junk mail) to be collected or held at the post office, and cancel newspaper deliveries.
• Lock away garden tools, ladders and anything that might help a burglar gain entry.
• Before going on holidays, tell trusted neighbours of your absence and leave a contact number.
• Ask a neighbour or friend to park a car in your driveway when you are away from home on holidays.

Prepare your car

Make sure your car is in good condition and ready for the trip ahead. Check and replenish fuel, water and engine coolant, change the oil, check tyre pressure and wear (don’t forget your spare tyre), make sure your brakes and battery are in good shape, and clean all your car windows to ensure good driving visibility.

Get your car serviced at an RACV service centre or read our advice on maintaining your vehicle. It’s also a good idea to carry the following items in the car with you:

• First aid kit
• Torch and spare batteries
• Large container or 2ltr bottle of water
• Small tool kit
• Jumper leads, rope and tyre pump and tyre pressure gauge

More useful information

• Holiday driving tips
• Driving overseas
• Travelling with kids
• Travelling with pets
• Fruit fly exclusion zone
• Travelling during the fire season - DSE BushfireSmart Safety Information

If you're travelling overseas go to smarttraveller.gov.au the Australian Government's travel advisory website.