Road tripping with Libby Birch

We all deserve a break - and a road trip is one of the best ways to let our hair down. AFLW star Libby Birch^ said heading to Hervey Bay in Queensland topped her list when it came to idyllic getaways.

But she said it pays to be prepared for such a long drive.

"For any journey like this one, which is well over 2000 kilometres, you definitely need to check tyre safety – it's a top priority," Birch said.

"Also check all the fluid levels, including the oil and water, and make sure you’re up to date with your service schedule.

"Last but definitely not least, you need a quality co-driver or two, plus masses of tunes and snacks for those endless hours on the road and the tool kit just in case. "It's about 25 hours non-stop but then you have to add in breaks to get fuel, food and for swapping drivers," she said.

"It’s much more fun to do a long road trip like this over a few days, but when the pristine beaches off Fraser Island are beckoning, sometimes you just have to drive all night."

And just like her fitness regime, Birch said having a regular check up for your vehicle before a long trip is essential.

"My preferred routine before an epic road trip is to go to my local Bob Jane T-Marts outlet to have a professional thoroughly inspect all five wheels and tyres to ensure maximum safety for me and anyone who’s coming along for the ride.

"Along the way I’d do my own regular check-ups at every fuel and food stop making sure the tyre pressures are right and they haven’t become damaged. You can never be too safe when it comes to your tyres – they're the things that matter most between you and the road."

She said an essential road trip tool kit should include a tyre pressure gauge, a Bob Jane T-Marts tyre tread depth gauge card, a spanner set, a car jack, a wheel brace, shifters, screw drivers, pliers, torch, batteries and jumper leads.

And when it comes to choosing routes Birch said she actually preferred inland options. "It’s inland for me, through country towns like Narrandera, Parkes, Dubbo, Coonabarabran, Narabri, Goondiwindi, Toowomba and Maryborough before finally seeing the Coral Sea.

"At times in Queensland the highway turns into a dusty cattle track, but it’s fun to see outback Australia – the native animals, cattle, crops and farm land – from your car and not just through the window of a plane. It’s really special."

(^Libby Birch- Former Western Bulldogs AFLW Player.)