Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and a dream destination for a road trip. However, driving at night can be a different story and we strongly advise you to park up at your intended destination before nightfall. There are a few reasons for this:
In Australia, much of the wildlife is nocturnal. This includes Kangaroos, wombats, wallabys, possums etc. These animals can be slow to react and can also be startled by headlights. Some of these animals are more powerful than you think and, if hit, can cause major damage to your vehicle. Many kangaroo accidents result in the vehicle being written off, and worse, can put you and your passengers in danger of serious injury.
Australia is huge! Many of the roads through Australia travel through extremely remote areas that are hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town. In the unfortunate event of a breakdown, it can be even more difficult to arrange roadside assistance at night in these remote areas. This can be due to the location and many of the towing and mechanical services in nearby towns being closed.
Things you can do to prepare:
Do your research. Distances between locations are deceptively long.
Make sure you are taking time to rest, and plan stops along the way if travelling long distances.
Be prepared with enough fuel and enough food and water to sustain long trips.
Avoid unnecessary driving at night, take the time to enjoy the camper lifestyle!