Road trips with your family!

News from St John - 1 Dec 2021

The holidays are upon us, and for many that means a road trip!

Yay for the holidays! Right? Or is the idea of the upcoming holiday season filling you with dread already? Before you even get to the potential stress of family gatherings, the wrapping of gifts, the overtired children… you’ve got the road trip!

Thanks to Covid-19, travel has become almost non existent in the last couple of years, but road trips have been a saving grace for many who are just wanting to get away. We are so lucky in Queensland to have not had the lockdowns that we’ve seen around the world and in other states, but regardless, we are ready to escape!

My family are BIG travelers, it’s in my DNA, we do love a good road trip, and we’ve learnt a few things along the way… some dos and do nots, if you like. So here is my list for your holiday pleasure!

  • Make sure you get some solid sleep the night before a big trip! It’s important to feel alert at all times.
  • Rest when you need to rest. There are so many wonderful towns around Queensland to just take some time to explore, stretch your legs and take a break from the road. There are also great lay bys to take a nap safely before you continue on your way.
  • Make a great playlist! No road trip is complete without a playlist of sweet tunes. If you have Spotify, there are so many playlist options, and don’t forget the little guys!
  • Take lots of snacks, and water, along. Keep them dry – crackers, rice cakes etc and your cleaning efforts at the other end will be easier. Hydration is key, especially if you break down!
  • Grab a bag of nappy sacks and baby wipes, you won’t regret it! They’re not just for babies. They are great for rubbish, wiping things clean and invaluable should there be any car sickness along the way.
  • There’s no denying we live in a technological age, so take advantage of it on a long trip. If you have Netflix, download some programs to your phone / iPad for the viewing pleasure of the little people. Or download some age appropriate games to keep their attention, every minute helps.
  • Depending on the age of your little people, a stable table, or the like make for a great place to do some colouring in or drawing. Don’t forget the pencils.. not felt tips… no one needs to have their car seats redecorated, no matter how beautiful the artwork might be!

From a safety aspect, ensure that your first aid kit is up to date and has all you need in an emergency. We would recommend the Motoring First Aid Kit and the Car Safety First Aid Kit. The RACQ offer some really life saving tips for traveling that are worth checking out.

There are so many other things that I could share, but I’d love to know from you – what are your tips?

“Keep calm and keep the little ones distracted and entertained. And above all be safe! When you’re packing to go, don’t forget to pack your first aid kit too” – Rachael Mussig – Marketing and Communications Manager, World Traveler and Mum of 3