Posted in Motoring Tips
Whether you’re going all out for the school holidays, or just hitting the road for a weekend getaway: you can never over-plan.
We found the planning tools to help you make the most of your adventure.
If you’re going anywhere near the water on your holiday – and in summer, it’s practically a must – you need to know what the waves will be doing.
Seabreeze gives you 7 days worth of tidal predictions, as well as wind and swell forecasts so you don’t end up dashing your boat onto the rocks, or taking the surfboard on perfectly flat seas. There is both a free and a paid version of the app for Android and Apple phones.
Unless you’re going to spend your entire time indoors, you’re going to need the weather forecast to plan ahead for activities on the holidays.
Willy Weather is one of the more comprehensive weather apps available, with advice from the Bureau of Meteorology loaded alongside tide and swell info, even moon phases and UV ratings – for campers, caravanners and boaties, there’s heaps of useful information; whether you’re going to be out fishing all day, or even just planning to head out for breakfast. Available for Android and Apple.
Every car and caravan should have at least a basic first aid kit on hand, but it’s all for naught if you’re going to waste time trying to figure out how to use the equipment.
The St John’s Ambulance First Aid app helps you to quickly use the equipment you have on hand with step by step illustrated guides to treat anything from snake bites to burns. The instructions can be used without mobile data – but there is a button to call emergency services on 112 if you’re still in satellite range. The app is available on Android and Apple.
If you suspect you won’t have reception on your holiday, take a screenshot on your phone of the pages in the apps that will help you out just before you go. This will save the image of the screen to your photos, even if you can’t get signal to find out the latest information.
Think about investing in a charging phone case or power bank to carry – you can pick them up online for less than $10 – if you’ve gone out for the day and need to reference information on your phone, or just need to make sure that you have your camera handy.
If you’re going to be anywhere around water – check out options for waterproofing your phone: camping and travel stores usually have pouches that can seal your phone in resealable heavy plastic, or you can go all out and buy a fully watertight phone case like a Lifeproof or Otterbox.
And if you are on the go, switch your phone into Airplane Mode when you’re not using it. Even if you haven’t got any reception, your phone will still be on the hunt for a network, which can drain your battery faster.
Before you hit the road, make sure you bring your car in for a check-up with our expert service technicians so you can get there and back without any unplanned stops!