You finally decided to go exploring the riches and beauties of Australia. Added benefit – you’re going to have a first caravanning adventure. However, before you start packing your bags, have in mind that towing a caravan is more than driving a car. It will give a completely new perspective on your travel and teach you how to appreciate a free parking space. In order for everything to go smoothly, here are some useful tips every new caravanner should know. Make a list! Everything is better with a list . Moreover, for your first caravanning adventure, it’s certainly necessary. It should include towing aid, fire extinguisher, sway control device, insulation tape and other parts of the general safety and equipment. Also, don't forget medicines, batteries, water, chairs and other items you will generally need for your everyday camping. Music, movies, books, board games and other entertainment should also make a checklist since it will help you to relax after a long hours drive. Make a map! Australia is quite a country and it has a lot to offer. From amazing hiking trails to gorgeous beaches, it will tempt you to make more stops than you have time for. With a map created based on good research and together with your co-travellers, you’ll be able to see it all and in time. There is the most popular route for caravanners from Cairns to Brisbane on the East coast. This way you’ll see some of the most beautiful landscapes like Great Barrier Reef. Going down Pacific Highway from Brisbane to Sydney will be a great opportunity to surf. Besides the gorgeous beaches, you can stop and watch the whales. The coastal Stuart Highway from Adelaide to Darwin will take you through mountainous Flinders Ranges to the central desert and gorges on the north. Van up! One of the crucial preparations involves checking the van, inside and out. Secure the drawers and all other loose elements which may open up during turns. Lock windows and the door, and also pack your belongings so they don’t get scattered all over. Lift the steps up, check if the towing aid is in place, and fixed tightly so the caravan doesn't get unhooked during the drive. Make sure that all appropriate and necessary lights are on both on the van and your vehicle, as well as that the air pressure in all tires is correct. Rise and shine early. Have a good night’s sleep before the big day and wake up early . The sooner you start the trip the bigger are the chances you’ll avoid the traffic crowd. If it’s your first time towing the caravan then light traffic might help you relax and get the hang of things. However, don’t drive if you’re tired or haven’t had enough sleep. It’s better to take it slow and without any pressure to avoid stress and anxiety during driving. Get used to the small space Take a good look at your home for the next few weeks. It may be small and restricted , but you don’t need more really. It will be enough to sleep and prepare meals, but other than that, you will spend most of your time discovering Australia. Go teamwork! If you’re travelling with someone then make sure you all know your responsibilities. Every member of the travelling caravan has to contribute and help so the trip would be great for all. Practice hand signals for when you have to be guided through the narrow paths and parking space. When setting up camp, assign tasks to everyone so it would go faster and you can all enjoy the rest. During road trips, it’s important to establish teamwork so everyone can have fun. Practice makes perfect. Setting up camp is something you will have to do very often and after a long ride. The perfect way to do it with ease is if you practice all the steps. That way you’ll do it quickly and can use the rest of the time for a well-deserved rest and exploring. Premium boat hose reels are great for quick set up and will give you clean water supply. This will especially make your dog happy since there nothing better than playing with the water hose after being confined to a small place whole day. In the end After these extensive preparations don’t forget to take with you that which will you value the most – good mood and enthusiasm for adventure.

Spring has sprung the highly-anticipated warmer and sunnier days, and summer is right around the corner - is there a better time to discover some of Australia’s  least known cycling routes? Of course not.Luckily for all you cycling fanatics out there, there is no shortage of fun and adventure in the Land of Oz, with bike-friendly urban, rural, and wilderness routes just waiting to be conquered by restless spirits. From Victoria and NSW to Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland, a single lifetime is not enough to discover and experience the natural beauties Australia has to offer. Here are the five hidden cycling treasures of Oz you are bound to fall in love with. Great Ocean Road First, you’ll need to plan for four to five days on the road. Second, you’re going to have a blast. The 250-kilometre stretch of twists and turns from Torquay in Geelong to Warrnambool to the west is a truly breathtaking scenic route that looks much better from a seat of a bike than a seat of a car. Because why drive when you can ride and experience the scenery? Start in Torquay and witness all of the iconic sights symbolic of the Australian landscape - the cliffs, the ocean, the golden sandy beaches,and the rainforests. The Grand Ocean Road truly is a journey to remember. High Country Brewery Trail Fancy an ice-cold pint at the end of every trail? No problem, the Victoria’s High Country Brewery Trail has got your covered. This is not a race, oh no, this is a journey of taste and pleasure. The trail entailing natural beauties at Warby Range, through the Beechworth Mountain BikePark, to the Ovens River at Bright, will also have you taste unique homemade brews at every stop - a perfect refreshment after a challenging trail. The trail that begins at Glenrowan and ends at the breathtaking Mount Beauty has everything a cyclist’s heart could possibly want from an adventure in the Aussie wilderness. Remember, it is still wilderness nonetheless, so make sure you research and obtain all of the necessary equipment at a reputable online bike store in Australia in order to stay safe, and make your adventure a breeze. Rottnest Island Did you know that off the coast of Perth, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, lies an island bosting more than sixty golden sandy beaches? Welcome to Rottnest Island , where you will feel more inclined to put on a pair of shades and you favourite swimsuit and just lay about all day long, soaking in the rays. When you do decide to hop on your trusty metal steed though, you will find that the pleasant, scenic ride around the island won’t take you more than a few hours, depending on how many stop you make to take a dip or marvel in the beauty before you. What makes this island even more inviting for cyclists is the fact that the roads are sealed off for vehicles - a true paradise for bike (the cool kind) enthusiasts. Mount Buller Winter is over, the snow has melted from the mountain’s slopes, so what are you waiting for? Mount Buller is waiting for you. During the spring and summer seasons, this popular winter escapade transforms its façade into one of country’s most vivid mountain biking destination. But if this notion alone is not enough to tickle your imagination, how about the fact that in December 2014 the Australian Alpine Epic trail was opened and officially dubbed an “epic mountain bike ride” by the International Mountain Biking Association? Elite cyclists only, though! Maria Island Off the coast of Tasmania lies yet another island, a National Park in its entirety, and a true heaven for cyclists no matter the experience, no matter the skill level. Keep in mind that there are no stores on the island and you will be left to your own devices once there, so make sure you pack all of the necessary provisions before your board the ferry at Triabunna. Traffic is not allowed on the island, so you can enjoy walking and cycling with the native animals to your heart’s content. Be sure to visit the Painted Cliffs while there! Australia has no shortage of traversable natural wonders that are perfect to explore and experience from the seat of your trusty steed. Be sure to hit up these hidden gems this season for a cycling adventure of a lifetime.

While it may not seem so at first, leaving your household unattended for as little as 5 to 10 days may not be the safest thing to do. However, what if you were to embark on a longer trip and leave your home unattended for weeks, even months? Of course, there is no general rule seeing as how your home or pet situation might create a completely new context for you to try to handle. Nonetheless, a proper preparation is always more than necessary. Still, in order to point you in the right direction, here are five things you need to take care of when going on a longer trip. Look for a house sitter If you are leaving your home completely unattended, you might want to take the safest course of action and take a house sitter. Provided that you can find the right person for the job, you would have your household protected and tended to while you’re gone. As for how much this would cost you, it usually goes somewhere between $25 and $45 per day , mostly depending on whether or not you require their services overnight. Cancel your subscriptions Another thing you should keep in mind is that while you’re gone, your subscriptions will still arrive on a regular basis. Not only will this create an additional unnecessary expense but also clutter your doorstep and even create a security hazard. A huge pile of mail and magazines is one of the best indicators that there’s no one home. Needless to say, this serves as a cue to all the potential burglars who might just leap at such a lucrative opportunity. Think about your budget Traveling or just living abroad for a period of time can be quite expensive, especially if it means that you aren’t contributing to your household budget at the moment. The best way to handle this situation is by creating a passive stream of revenue while you are away. The most conventional mean of handling this situation is to rent out your own home. Apart from making money, it also eliminates your need to pay for a house sitter, thus putting you in a much better spot. Still, this may require you to make some preparations and if you have any items or furniture pieces that are too valuable to be left lying around, you can just rent a storage unit and deposit them there. Those who are in a rush and fear they won’t be able to organize this quick enough might look for a company like Supereasystorage , which handles transportation, loading and storage issues on their own. Prepare for the weather change One of the problems that a lot of people make when packing for a long trip is not planning for the change of a season. Let’s say that you are staying at a target location for a few months. This would mean that you were bound to be there at least through two seasons, which will result in a significant weather shift, depending on the region you plan on visiting. Needless to say, this is something you need to prepare your wardrobe for. Learn some key phrases Finally, you need to keep in mind that even in some of the world’s hottest tourist destinations, not everyone speaks English. Therefore, it is absolutely vital that you learn a couple of local phrases just in case. We are talking about courtesy phrases like ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’ but it might be even more important for you to learn a practical phrase or two like ‘where’s the bathroom’ or ‘I’m allergic to peanuts’. In conclusion While some of the above-listed tips may be applied universally, they usually depend on a lot of context-related factors. For instance, if you already have a steady stream of passive income, not much might change when it comes to your finances. If your neighbors can check on your home once or twice a day you don’t have to go for a house sitter. Finally, if you are traveling to an English speaking country or your trip isn’t an international one, you don’t have to bother with learning new phrases. Still, in most situations, adhering to these five simple principles can really help you prepare for what is to come.