15/10/2021
5 More Culture Shocks When Moving to Australia (Road Trip Edition) 🚐💨
1. Road tripping, in general, is very common in Australia; so there are lots of caravan parks, free camping sites, and van-friendly roads to take you around the whole of Australia. While there are plenty of retirees who have taken to the road, Australia’s roads are much more diverse with locals “doing a lap”, internationals traveling while working, and young families that just throw the kids in the caravan and get away for the weekend. (I do NOT blame them! 😂😍)
2. Australia is a BIG COUNTRY! 👀
Even if you already know this, it will really sink in hard when you’re seven-hours into a ten-hour stretch where there is literally nothing but dirt and roadhouses around. If you’re an impatient person, this ain’t for you.
3. Speaking of roadhouses.. all gas stations in Australia are called petrol stations. (John literally still makes fun of me every time I say gas 😂) BUT on the road, they are often called roadhouses. It’s kinda exactly what you would imagine a truck stop in the middle of the outback to be. Very questionable food, cold drinks, and the most bizarre and eclectic selection of souvenirs I have EVER seen 😳
4. The only other vehicles you’ll see on the road are other caravans or the absolute weirdest thing I have ever seen; the road train. 😨 This thing is a semi on steroids. Used to transport large quantities from Australia’s mines to the coast, these mega machines usually are three to five cars long. Trying to pass them on long stretches of outback road can be downright scary, I don’t care who you are. 🥲
5. While Australia is an absolutely beautiful land, the majority of your travels will be in very rural, small communities. I grew up in a very small town in America… but it’s nothing compared to these places. You would be lucky to find a petrol station, grocery store, and maybe one cafe. Cell reception and WiFi are nonexistent. You really have to rely on paper maps, a locals recommendation, and a sense of adventure to truly survive and thrive during a road trip through Australia! ⚠️🦘Worth it!
📍: Broome 💦
