Are you fantasizing about taking a road trip in your 4WD car near Melbourne? From vast adventure tours to dramatic coastline regions and picturesque green landscapes, a road trip is the best way to experience the true beauty of Australiaâs south.
While the Coronavirus virus has left the world grounded for some months, now is the time to explore and get out to see what this stunning country has to offer. In this article, we have shared the five amazing weekend road trips near Melbourne that are worth the journey with your loved ones.
But before jumping to the destinations, letâs discuss some road safety tips and car care tips before going on the long drive.
Tips For A Safe and Comfortable Drive
Here are the tips for a comfortable and safe drive to help you during the trip.
- Get enough sleep before driving
Just think of exhaustion before starting the journey, not later. You need to get a minimum of seven hours of good sleep for two consecutive nights before your road trip. It will help you reserve energy for the trip. Also, take regular breaks during the trip to stay alert and fresh while driving.
- Take healthy snacks for a road trip
Carry ample vitamin-packed snacks and foods with you for munching throughout the long trip. But it is best to skip fast foods. For staying alert, you need to pack almonds, carrots, and other healthy foods.
- Stay hydrated
Also, it is also important to carry plenty of water with so that you do not dehydrate under the harsh midday sun of the Australian summers.
- Plan the rest stops
Another crucial tip for your road trips is to get out of the car to stretch your legs every two hours. You have to plan such stops during a long drive, stopover for mealtimes or simply to view some interesting places.
- Keep passengers entertained
Long drives may lead to bickering. And this further may cause driver fatigue. So, you need to make sure to keep passengers, especially children, entertained with some music, radio or some interesting podcasts.
How to prepare my car for a long drive?
Another thing that you need to take care of before any road trip is to prepare your car before travelling.
Here are some simple tips to prepare your car for a long drive:
- You have to check all car papers, like PUC (Pollution Under Control), insurance papers, RC (Registration Certificate). Also, check for expiry dates. It is because when you travel interstate, you may require car documents.
- Make a basic plan that includes rest stops and drive time.
- Fuel up the vehicle in advance from a good pump station.
- Top up proper tire pressure with Nitrogen rather than normal air. It is because nitrogen helps the tire to get a better grip on the road surface. Meanwhile, it maintains better fuel mileage.
- Buy good quality 4Ã4 accessories if youâre planning to tread off-roads.
5 Best Weekend Road Trips From Melbourne For 4WD Sports Car Owners
There are uncountable amazing off-road tracks near Melbourne for 4WD sports car owners. But if you need some help, here are the five best road trips to consider near Melbourne
- Alpine National Park Road trip
Victoriaâs Great Alpine Road offers you an amazing outdoor experience. During the trip, you can halt at some breweries and wineries to sip on some amazing brews and wines. Also, learn secrets from the brewers and producers themselves. You can also explore historic streetscapes, the stateâs wondrous mountain locales, and vital alpine centers.
- The Otways Road Trip
If you want to go for rainforest adventures by the sea, you need to head to Victoriaâs Otways road trip. It will take around 7 hours to reach this location from Melbourne. This road trip will offer you amazing views of the Great Ocean Road, including ancient rainforest, vast wildlife, and coastal towns.
- Grampians National Park Road Trip
Grampians National Park is the countryâs most beautiful visual retreat. If you are not sure where to head to this summer, it is the best location to consider. The panoramic sights during the trip seem to be coming straight out of an adventure book. Youâll witness sprawling mountain ranges, hanging cliff faces, wildlife, wildflowers, and waterfalls galore during this road trip.
- Lerderderg State Park Road Trip
While this part takes only an hourâs drive from Melbourne, it has many remote areas to explore. You can witness the Lerderderg River Gorge that divides it in two from OâBriens Crossing in the north to Mackenzies Flat in the south. You can enjoy a barbecue session and a good camp in this location with your family.
- Little Desert National Park
Little Desert National Park is another location to visit for improving your sand driving skills. Once you enter this park in your 4WD, you can enjoy driving on deep sandy tracks. However, consider reducing tire pressures and switch off traction control to ensure the first-rate sand driving experience.
So, these are some stunning road trip destinations fr your weekend plans from Melbourne. Hope, you like taking an adventure ride through these roads.
