That’s it, the long-awaited moment has arrived, girls, the main reason you all plan to go to Australia is to experience the joys of one epic road trip! Like any big trip there is always a million thoughts running through your mind and anxiety is felt. There is no denying that we all need a minimum of comfort and mental preparation before hitting the road. In this article, we reveal hot tips and tricks that will be very useful in preparation for your Australian road trip.
Table of Contents
Travel Light
Don’t burden yourself with too many belongings. Limit yourself to the essentials, as the items you don’t bring are just as much space saved in your backpack or suitcase. A tip? Spread out the items you want to take on your bed and then… choose only half of them. Forget the famous “just in case.” Road trip life is not the most materialistic and spendthrift, on the contrary. Especially since you will have the opportunity to buy everything in town during your trip and often at a lower cost.
👕 The clothes
Bring very few valuable clothes. Between the red dirt and the poor-quality washing machines in hostels or laundromats, your precious garments are likely to suffer. Favour dark-colored clothing. So, avoid white and its derivatives, which are very difficult to maintain. Even more so during your road trip on the West Coast or in the center, where the red earth is indelible.
In addition to your basics (jeans, shorts, t-shirts, underwear), plan to always have a good warm sweater and a pair of joggers at hand, as evenings can be cool in the bush and by the sea. Also, have in your wardrobe simple and light clothing to wear, like several little dresses or summer playsuits. Obviously, take a swimsuit that is durable and doesn’t lose its elasticity after two months (consider taking a one-piece for your surfing sessions); as well as a good pair of flip-flops. They will be your ally all year round, especially during for public showers. Finally, a pair of sunglasses with good UV protection is essential.
Also, take with you a good pair of multi-purpose sneakers that you won’t be afraid to damage. They will be used for walks in the bush and in the red dirt, for your farm work, and various jobs.
Managing hygiene during your road trip
🚽 Your options for toilets
When travelling along the vast Australian highways and roads, it might be hours upon hours before you will reach a toilet block. So, for those of you who struggle with doing your business in the bush and need the comfort of a toilet seat, we have a little DIY hack! With a bucket, a toilet lid, a drill and some screws, you will be able to make a portable toilet to use anytime anywhere. You will be able to find all this at Bunnings Warehouse. You will need to have garbage bags packed to use as a toilet liner and some sand. You are free to find a place in the bush, or to land in your van with your portable toilet. The must, buy biodegradable toilet paper. You can find them at Coles or Woolworths.
The second option, the most used in wild camping, is that of the shovel. And yes, declutter and free yourself from constraints. Just a little time is enough to find you a cozy place to do your business. Use your shovel and live the full camping experience. Granted, even as a seasoned adventurer, it’s not the most comfortable option.
🚿 A shower, even in the bush !
During your roadtrips, the applications Campermate (free) and Wikicamps ($7.99) are your allies. These apps feature all free camping spots, public BBQ’s, parks and FREE showers! Most of the showers that are free around Australia are outdoors and cold, but that can sometimes be the refreshment you are looking for! If there are no showers if the area, then you must intervene.
Cleansing wipes are a “must have” for a quick “shower” without access to water. If your water supply is full, bring a basin. Use it to wash your armpits, hands, face, feet and private parts first. All in the old fashioned way, like our dear grandmothers. This basin will also be useful for your dishes or washing your clothes.
Finally, you can create your own shower. This is possible with a 10 liter pressure sprayer, originally used for insecticides. The pressure is sufficient for the use of a shower head. It allows you to consume little water, and thus save money. You also have the option of making a homemade solar shower. You can attach a pvc pipe that you fill with water to the roof of your vehicle. It is naturally heated by the sun during the day and offers you a hot shower in the evening, when the temperatures cool down. Another practical option, a 20-litre shower, can be found at Kmart for $10. It is literally a bag of water to be hung on a branch for example. Use solid soaps, ecological and economical products.
Pack coconut oil
It will become an essential beauty product. Use it as a nourishing mask for dry hair and for soothing sunburn or dry cracking skin. The lauric acid in coconut oil has a high affinity for hair proteins. Be careful not to apply it to your roots. It will smother your roots and grease them very quickly. By its nourishing properties, coconut oil helps dehydrated skin, softens the skin, soothes redness, is healing and relieves sunburn. It also helps treat stretch marks. Be careful not to apply it as a day cream, make-up remover, or regularly on your skin. Coconut oil has the particularity of clogging the pores of the skin due to its thick molecules. It will create comedones. Prefer very dry skin areas (elbows, knees, heels, scars, etc.).
🥥 Choose a cold pressed organic coconut oil for the best results. It can be purchased from supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths. Coconut oil is also an excellent cooking oil and tolerates the hottest temperatures without destroying its nutritional properties. It’s cheap in Australia and you’ll often find deals at Coles, Woolworths, or Aldi. The oil is stored in a glass jar, perfect for the environment.
Introduce Apple cider vinegar into your diet
🍏 Apple cider vinegar is magical for all its benefits, it promotes the development and renewal of intestinal flora. Drink every night at bedtime. Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a little hot water and some honey and you’re done. Among its virtues, the most useful is that it can fight against bad breath because it is a powerful antibacterial, very useful on a road trip. Other benefits include; promotes digestion by absorbing too much acid in the stomach, fights against acne, relieves mosquito bites, relieves sunburn, tones the skin and gives shine to your hair.
⚠️ It is to be used diluted and in moderation. Its natural acidity can cause gastric ulcers, if consumed in too large quantities. Choose it organic, with natural components, in supermarkets, or popular pharmacies (Chemist Warehouse).
Managing Your Menstrual Cycle
Your menstrual cycle is an important consideration during a road trip. How can you stay comfortable and hygienic on the go? You have several options:
Period underwear: If you’re not comfortable with a cup, period panties slip on like regular underwear. They’re thicker for optimal absorbency and should be changed every 6–8 hours depending on your flow. To figure out which style works best, try a set with different absorbency levels. Rinse by hand in clear water first, then wash with your clothes once you have laundry facilities.
Disposable pads or tampons are the most common—but the least eco-friendly. When you change, bring intimate wipes, hand sanitizer or a solid soap bar, and a dedicated small trash bag.
More sustainable and equally practical options include the menstrual cup and period underwear.
Menstrual cup: The drawback is that it must be rinsed after each use, so you’ll need access to water. Simply dedicate a small water bottle for this purpose.
Body Hair and Hair Removal
To save space in your backpack, leave your electric epilator or waxing kit at home—unless your campervan or 4×4 has a second battery, you won’t be able to plug them in. The simplest solution is a razor: it’s compact, inexpensive, and always ready in your toiletry bag.
You can also use disposable waxing strips—they take up almost no space and require no power, making them handy on the road. However, they’re less eco-friendly.
Finally, consider laser hair removal: in Australia it can be more affordable than elsewhere. Plan for at least nine sessions to achieve long-term hair reduction.
Embrace Your Natural Beauty
Life on the road is all about going natural. Trust us—your physical and mental health will thank you. Free yourself from beauty diktats and daily makeup so your skin can breathe. In Australia, people are laid-back, and no one’s paying attention to the details. Of course, you’re welcome to glam up from time to time if you feel like it.
💄 If you want to keep some essentials on hand, pack a tiny makeup kit: a small mirror, tweezers, mini scissors, and sunscreen. Skip lipsticks that melt in the Aussie heat—go for a gel-based lip tint instead.
Unplug from the Virtual World
Australia is so vast that no single mobile carrier covers the entire country. Some areas aren’t served by 5G, 4G, 3G—or even a basic network signal. Your phone may be completely offline for stretches.
If you’re a social-media enthusiast, expect to leave your phone behind for two or three days during your road trips, especially along the West Coast.
📱 Telstra offers the best coverage but also the highest prices. However, you can still find free Wi-Fi in many towns—at payphones, visitor centers, libraries, city centers, and even McDonald’s. Take the chance to disconnect and savor the moment. You’ll feel all the better for it.
Capture your Memories
Embarking on a road trip through Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll witness breathtaking landscapes, encounter wildlife, forge unforgettable friendships, live in a van or 4WD, and camp in a different spot each night. After a year, you’ll have so many memories—you won’t remember them all. Take photos, keep a travel journal, save your attraction tickets, create vlogs, write blog posts…
Don’t hesitate to invest in quality photo/video gear—a reliable camera, a high-quality DSLR or even a drone. You might discover a new passion and return with incredible memories to share with family and friends.
Have confidence in yourself
Don’t speak English well? Are you shy? Never driven a van before? Don’t worry: neither have most backpackers! Travelling on a road trip in a foreign country is a great learning experience. You’ll learn English as you go along. You’ll gain more and more self-confidence and find it easier to meet other people. If you have a driving licence, the van will only take you a little time to get used to, and in Australia the roads are wide!
Be confident in yourself and in your decision to go on a road-trip, an adventure to the other side of the world. You’ll come back prouder, wiser and certainly more bilingual than before.
