Common sense is the most important thing to take with you and use while you prepare for the trip.  The list below are a few items of common sense.  Add as required.

Vehicle Servicing: Have the vehicles (both car AND caravan) serviced before you leave and make sure you have the service log book with you. You should also have your wheel bearings checked/adjusted.  It’s also a good opportunity to have your brakes checked.

Tyres: Tyres are expensive items in remote Australia.  Make sure your current tyres can handle the expected travel/distance/road conditions. If there’s any doubt then get a new set and keep the others for when you get back home.

Air-Conditioner: As it can get very hot in Australia make sure that your air-conditioner is working to capacity. You may also consider window tinting.

Mail: Arrange for someone to keep your letterbox cleared so as not to give-away that you have gone away. What about your mail? Have you made arrangements for someone to forward it to you on a regular basis? Australia Post can forward your mail to a nominated address for a charge and this can be to a rellie or friend or to a commercial forwarding service. There is a section below on Mail forwarding.

Medical: It’s a good idea to have a check-up before you leave to make sure everything’s fine on the health front. Ask your doctor to give you as many prescriptions as possible and a letter to any GP you may visit during your travels. The letter should describe any medical problems you may have and the treatment and medicine you might be getting.

Credit Cards: Keep a note of all your credit card numbers (but not with the cards themselves). An easy way to do this is to photocopy all your cards together on one sheet. If your cards are then lost or stolen, you can report them immediately and have them cancelled.

Other Documents: What about all the paperwork for your appliances, etc? Something may go wrong while you are away so the warranty details are important to have with you. You might also need the owner’s manuals. Maybe consider scanning/digitising them and downloading onto your laptop.

Entertainment: You won’t be travelling all the time so how will you fill in those free hours? Most people take a TV these days and despite saying there’s nothing worth watching, they still like to see a few favourite shows and the news. A few extra dollars buying a good antenna is only a fraction of what the trip is going to cost and will save hours of frustration trying to get a decent picture in a fringe area. Digital transmissions are present in many places these days so a set-top box is handy to have. If you are really addicted then a satellite system is indicated and these are getting much cheaper by the day.Of course a sound and/or DVD system is fitted to just about every RV and vehicle nowadays so plenty of CDs and DVDs will be appreciated. And don’t forget some good books, packs of cards, etc.

Communication:  Long range – use HF or satellite; Short range – UHF. The NextG system gives by far the best coverage and using an antenna with the phone increases its use.  That said there are huge areas of Australia without mobile phone coverage.

Emergencies: Make sure you have a basic first-aid kit and know emergency first-aid. Have the emergency number programmed into one of your quick dial numbers on your mobile. Make sure you have an in-date fire extinguisher; smoke alarms and a fire-blanket ready for use should you have a fire. If you have a UHF CB radio make sure you know which is the emergency channel – in case you are wondering it’s Ch. 5

Lawns:  To prevent vandalism and break-ins your home needs to appear to be occupied while you are away travelling. Organise to have the lawns mowed regularily during your absence. Have a friend or neighbour remove any junk mail from the letterbox as this is a sure sign of your absence. Remember redirecting your mail doesn't stop junk mail gettting placed in your letterbox.

Notify the Authorities:  It's a good idea to let your local police know when you will be away and expected return date.

Others:

• re-schedule any diary appointments which will clash with your trip
• attend to any outstanding medical, dental and optometric problems
• attend to any outstanding vehicle problems
• ensure the currency of the following for the duration of your trip:
• drivers’ licences
• vehicle registrations
• motoring organization memberships
• professional registrations
• insurances
• vehicles
• house
• vehicle and house contents
• personal
• health
• professional
• special accounts
• telephone charge cards
• consult your accountant regarding taxation (eg, lodgement of tax returns) and any other matters
• make arrangements for access to money and order new bank books — it is a good idea to meet your bank accountant personally and inform him/her of your plans
• Plan an itinerary and let your family/friends know