Road Trip Preparation

Australia’s vast distances mean road trips with pets require genuine planning. A drive from Sydney to Melbourne is around 9 hours, Sydney to Brisbane about 10, and crossing the Nullarbor from Adelaide to Perth takes multiple days. Your pet’s comfort and safety need to be planned for just as much as your own.

Before you set off, consider:

• Is your pet comfortable in the car? If they have never been on a long drive, start with short practice trips weeks before the real journey.

• Does your pet get car sick? Speak to your vet well in advance. Medication may be an option, and feeding strategies (light meal 3-4 hours before travel, nothing right before) can help.

• Plan rest stops every 2-3 hours. Your pet needs to stretch, toilet, and drink water, and you need to check on them.

• Research pet-friendly rest stops and parks along your route. Not all roadhouses or service centres welcome pets.

• Check the weather forecast. Australian temperatures can swing dramatically between inland and coastal areas, and a car can reach lethal temperatures in minutes on a warm day.

In most Australian states, it is a legal requirement (or strongly recommended under animal welfare legislation) that pets be restrained in vehicles. An unrestrained pet is a danger to themselves and everyone in the car.

Restraint options:

• Secured crate or carrier: The safest option. Place the crate on the back seat or in the cargo area and secure it with a seatbelt or cargo straps so it cannot slide.

• Pet seatbelt harness: A harness that clips into the seatbelt buckle. Look for crash-tested options — many cheap harnesses on the market have not been tested and may not protect your pet in an accident.

• Cargo barrier: For larger dogs in SUVs and wagons, a fitted cargo barrier keeps them in the rear cargo area. Combine with a non-slip mat for comfort.

Never allow your pet to ride in the front seat (airbag danger), on a driver’s lap, or with their head out the window (debris risk and they can fall or jump).