Australia is a big country, and a breakdown a few hundred kilometres from the nearest town is a very different problem to one in the suburbs. A little preparation turns a road trip into a holiday instead of a story you tell at the mechanic.
Two weeks before you go
Give yourself time to fix anything you find. If a service is due soon, get it done before you leave rather than after you get back. Mention the trip to your mechanic — they will check the things that matter for long-distance driving.
The checks that matter
Tyres. Check pressures against the placard, including the spare. Look at the tread depth and at the sidewalls for cracks or bulges. Remember the placard often lists a higher pressure for a fully loaded car — a boot packed with luggage and four people counts.
Fluids. Engine oil, coolant and washer fluid. Top up before you go, not on the road.
Wipers and washers. You will hit bugs, dust and possibly heavy rain. Fresh blades and a full washer bottle make a real difference to visibility.
Lights. Walk around the car with someone pressing the pedals — headlights, brake lights, indicators, reverse lights.
Battery. Get it tested if it is more than three years old.
What to carry
Jack and wheel brace (and know where they are), a torch, jumper leads or a jump pack, a basic first aid kit, a tyre pressure gauge, and plenty of drinking water. On remote routes, carry more water than you think you need. A physical map is worth having where phone reception disappears.
Pack smart
Heavy items low and towards the middle of the car, not stacked high or hanging off the back. Do not block your rear vision. Anything loose in the cabin becomes a projectile in a hard stop — put it in the boot.
On the road
Stop and stretch every couple of hours; fatigue builds faster than people admit, and driver fatigue is a major cause of country crashes. Share the driving if you can. Avoid driving at dawn and dusk in rural areas, when kangaroos and livestock are most active — and if an animal jumps out, brake in a straight line rather than swerving.
Plan your fuel
In remote areas, fuel stops can be hundreds of kilometres apart and some close early or do not open on Sundays. Fill up when you are at half a tank rather than waiting for the light. Check your route for the gaps before you set off.