Whether you are visiting a foreign country or exploring parts of your own country, you are likely to encounter unfamiliar places and conditions that you need to prepare for.

Understand your destination

Savvy travellers will do some research into the place they are visiting and plan as best as possible for the unexpected. It’s really important to listen carefully to local warnings and advice to stay safe as the conditions of the environments you are visiting may be very different to those you are familiar with at home. 

Prepare for a road trip

There is no better way to see all that Queensland has to offer than by packing up your car, campervan or caravan and going on the ultimate road trip. Before you hit the road, Get Ready with some planning and preparation to make sure you stay safe on your adventures in the event you are caught up in a natural disaster.

Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out how to best prepare.

Alternatively, the following checklist is also available in the Get Ready Queensland Protection while you are out and about booklet (PDF, 1.21MB) which is available to download.

Preparing for a roadtrip scene
Make sure you're covered

 Ensure your car insurance (or the rental companies’ insurance) is current and that it covers your vehicle adequately.

57.00%
34.00%
Roadtrip insurance
Tyres

Check you have good tyre tread (at least 1.5mm deep across the whole tyre width).

79.00%
67.00%
Roadtrip tyre icon
Headlights and rear lights

Check all of your vehicle’s lights work well.

66.00%
28.00%
Roadtrip lights icon
Windscreen

Make sure windscreen and lights are clean.

47.00%
40.00%
Roadtrip windscreen icon
Spare fuel

Have a spare supply of fuel for use in your vehicle to get you to the nearest fuel outlet (ensure you store fuel safely in an appropriate container).

62.00%
78.00%
Roadtrip spare fuel icon
Road trip emergency kit
63.00%
61.00%
Roadtrip emergency kit icon
Personal belongings

Ensure your travel insurance is adequate to cover your belongings which may be damaged in the car during a natural disaster.

42.00%
59.00%
Clothes icon
Download useful apps

Download useful apps and sign-up to local weather alerts and warnings for the areas you are visiting.

42.00%
32.00%
Roadtrip phone icon
Blankets or hail cover

Store additional blankets or a hail cover in your car. If you cannot access undercover shelter for your vehicles during a severe storm or cyclone, firmly secure blankets or quilts to them to minimise hail damage.

54.00%
57.00%
Roadtrip emergency kit icon
Make sure you're covered

 Ensure your car insurance (or the rental companies’ insurance) is current and that it covers your vehicle adequately.

57.00%
34.00%
Roadtrip insurance
Tyres

Check you have good tyre tread (at least 1.5mm deep across the whole tyre width).

79.00%
67.00%
Roadtrip tyre icon
Headlights and rear lights

Check all of your vehicle’s lights work well.

66.00%
28.00%
Roadtrip lights icon
Windscreen

Make sure windscreen and lights are clean.

47.00%
40.00%
Roadtrip windscreen icon
Spare fuel

Have a spare supply of fuel for use in your vehicle to get you to the nearest fuel outlet (ensure you store fuel safely in an appropriate container).

62.00%
78.00%
Roadtrip spare fuel icon
Road trip emergency kit
63.00%
61.00%
Roadtrip emergency kit icon
Personal belongings

Ensure your travel insurance is adequate to cover your belongings which may be damaged in the car during a natural disaster.

42.00%
59.00%
Clothes icon
Download useful apps

Download useful apps and sign-up to local weather alerts and warnings for the areas you are visiting.

42.00%
32.00%
Roadtrip phone icon
Blankets or hail cover

Store additional blankets or a hail cover in your car. If you cannot access undercover shelter for your vehicles during a severe storm or cyclone, firmly secure blankets or quilts to them to minimise hail damage.

54.00%
57.00%
Roadtrip emergency kit icon
Make sure you're covered

 Ensure your car insurance (or the rental companies’ insurance) is current and that it covers your vehicle adequately.

57.00%
34.00%
Roadtrip insurance
Tyres

Check you have good tyre tread (at least 1.5mm deep across the whole tyre width).

79.00%
67.00%
Roadtrip tyre icon
Headlights and rear lights

Check all of your vehicle’s lights work well.

66.00%
28.00%
Roadtrip lights icon
Windscreen

Make sure windscreen and lights are clean.

47.00%
40.00%
Roadtrip windscreen icon
Spare fuel

Have a spare supply of fuel for use in your vehicle to get you to the nearest fuel outlet (ensure you store fuel safely in an appropriate container).

62.00%
78.00%
Roadtrip spare fuel icon
Road trip emergency kit
63.00%
61.00%
Roadtrip emergency kit icon
Personal belongings

Ensure your travel insurance is adequate to cover your belongings which may be damaged in the car during a natural disaster.

42.00%
59.00%
Clothes icon
Download useful apps

Download useful apps and sign-up to local weather alerts and warnings for the areas you are visiting.

42.00%
32.00%
Roadtrip phone icon
Blankets or hail cover

Store additional blankets or a hail cover in your car. If you cannot access undercover shelter for your vehicles during a severe storm or cyclone, firmly secure blankets or quilts to them to minimise hail damage.

54.00%
57.00%
Roadtrip emergency kit icon
When severe weather warnings are issued
Park vehicles under cover, away from trees, power lines and waterways.
If you cannot access undercover shelter for your vehicles, firmly secure blankets or quilts to them to minimise hail damage.
If you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.
During an earthquake avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires and proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped.
Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

Road trip emergency kit

Whether it be a seaside destination, an urban exploration or an outback adventure, make sure you pack your road trip emergency kit to ensure you are prepared for all matter of situations.

Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out what you should include.

Road trip emergency kit icons
First aid kit and manual

Ensure you have a first aid kit and manual in case of any medical incident on the road.

18.00%
31.00%
First aid kit icon
Protection from the elements

Queensland’s summers can be extremely hot and humid bringing with it the risk of sunburns and insect bites. Make sure you pack plenty of bug and mozzie repellent, at least 30+ sunscreen, glasses and a hat.

15.00%
49.00%
Sunglasses and hat icon
Toilet paper

Its always good to have a roll of toilet paper on hand.

12.00%
59.00%
Toilet paper icon
Torch

A heavy duty, waterproof torch (and spare batteries) will provide valuable light when you most need it. Avoid using your smartphone as a light source to preserve battery during an emergency. 

11.00%
74.00%
Torch icon
Matches or a lighter

Matches are extremely useful in the event you get stranded and need to start a campfire to keep warm. 

24.00%
60.00%
Matches icon
Alternative communication equipment

Look into alternative communication equipment such as a 2-way radio to have as a backup in an emergency as your mobile phone may not work in remote areas.

28.00%
79.00%
Radio icon
Food and water

Keep bottled water and dry food/snacks in your car in case you are caught away from your accommodation (20 litres emergency use and 4 litres per person per day).

48.00%
30.00%
Water icon
Clothing

Take appropriate layers and types of clothing and footwear according to the environment you are visiting.

40.00%
49.00%
Clothes icon
Shovel and towrope

Pack a shovel and a towrope in case you get bogged. However always abide by ‘if it’s flooded, forget it’ if you come across any flooded road on your travels. 

35.00%
72.00%
Shovel icon
Maps

Pack hard copy maps of the places you are visiting in case you lose mobile connection.

47.00%
80.00%
Map icon
Spare tyre

Know where the jack in the car is stored and have 1-2 spare tyres packed in case you get a puncture.

66.00%
25.00%
Spare tyre icon
Important documents

Keep a photo copy of your driver’s licence, passport, travel and insurance papers as back-up.

58.00%
47.00%
Travel documents
Emergency contacts and useful apps

Save local emergency contact details in your phone in case you need to call for help. Go to the Get Ready Emergency Contacts page for a full listing. Download helpful apps and sign up to local weather warnings and road condition updates to stay informed especially using storm and cyclone season. Check out the Get Ready alerts and warnings pages for some ideas. 

70.00%
36.00%
Phone icon
Fire extinguisher

A small fire extinguisher specifically for car use can help prevent a small fire from becoming unmanageable.

86.00%
55.00%
Fire extinguisher icon
Esky

An esky is great to have to keep your water and any other other snacks cool during Queensland’s hot summer. 

70.00%
80.00%
Esky icon
Tool kit

Pack a tool kit in case you need to do any mechanical repairs whilst on the road – you don’t need to be a mechanic but it’s good to know a few basic skills.

88.00%
34.00%
Toolkit icon
Rubbish bags

Rubbish bags are handy on your travels to contain any rubbish but are also handy to waterproof any belongings in the event your vehicle exterior is exposed to rain and exposes your belongings.

94.00%
54.00%
Rubbish bags icon
Blanket and tarpaulin

Blankets are useful for keeping warm if you are stranded in your vehicle or can be used to protect your car if caught in a hail storm. A tarpaulin is also useful to keep the weather out of your car in case of a shattered windscreen or window. 

92.00%
65.00%
Blanket icon
First aid kit and manual

Ensure you have a first aid kit and manual in case of any medical incident on the road.

18.00%
31.00%
First aid kit icon
Protection from the elements

Queensland’s summers can be extremely hot and humid bringing with it the risk of sunburns and insect bites. Make sure you pack plenty of bug and mozzie repellent, at least 30+ sunscreen, glasses and a hat.

15.00%
49.00%
Sunglasses and hat icon
Toilet paper

Its always good to have a roll of toilet paper on hand.

12.00%
59.00%
Toilet paper icon
Torch

A heavy duty, waterproof torch (and spare batteries) will provide valuable light when you most need it. Avoid using your smartphone as a light source to preserve battery during an emergency. 

11.00%
74.00%
Torch icon
Matches or a lighter

Matches are extremely useful in the event you get stranded and need to start a campfire to keep warm. 

24.00%
60.00%
Matches icon
Alternative communication equipment

Look into alternative communication equipment such as a 2-way radio to have as a backup in an emergency as your mobile phone may not work in remote areas.

28.00%
79.00%
Radio icon
Food and water

Keep bottled water and dry food/snacks in your car in case you are caught away from your accommodation (20 litres emergency use and 4 litres per person per day).

48.00%
30.00%
Water icon
Clothing

Take appropriate layers and types of clothing and footwear according to the environment you are visiting.

40.00%
49.00%
Clothes icon
Shovel and towrope

Pack a shovel and a towrope in case you get bogged. However always abide by ‘if it’s flooded, forget it’ if you come across any flooded road on your travels. 

35.00%
72.00%
Shovel icon
Maps

Pack hard copy maps of the places you are visiting in case you lose mobile connection.

47.00%
80.00%
Map icon
Spare tyre

Know where the jack in the car is stored and have 1-2 spare tyres packed in case you get a puncture.

66.00%
25.00%
Spare tyre icon
Important documents

Keep a photo copy of your driver’s licence, passport, travel and insurance papers as back-up.

58.00%
47.00%
Travel documents
Emergency contacts and useful apps

Save local emergency contact details in your phone in case you need to call for help. Go to the Get Ready Emergency Contacts page for a full listing. Download helpful apps and sign up to local weather warnings and road condition updates to stay informed especially using storm and cyclone season. Check out the Get Ready alerts and warnings pages for some ideas. 

70.00%
36.00%
Phone icon
Fire extinguisher

A small fire extinguisher specifically for car use can help prevent a small fire from becoming unmanageable.

86.00%
55.00%
Fire extinguisher icon
Esky

An esky is great to have to keep your water and any other other snacks cool during Queensland’s hot summer. 

70.00%
80.00%
Esky icon
Tool kit

Pack a tool kit in case you need to do any mechanical repairs whilst on the road – you don’t need to be a mechanic but it’s good to know a few basic skills.

88.00%
34.00%
Toolkit icon
Rubbish bags

Rubbish bags are handy on your travels to contain any rubbish but are also handy to waterproof any belongings in the event your vehicle exterior is exposed to rain and exposes your belongings.

94.00%
54.00%
Rubbish bags icon
Blanket and tarpaulin

Blankets are useful for keeping warm if you are stranded in your vehicle or can be used to protect your car if caught in a hail storm. A tarpaulin is also useful to keep the weather out of your car in case of a shattered windscreen or window. 

92.00%
65.00%
Blanket icon
First aid kit and manual

Ensure you have a first aid kit and manual in case of any medical incident on the road.

18.00%
31.00%
First aid kit icon
Protection from the elements

Queensland’s summers can be extremely hot and humid bringing with it the risk of sunburns and insect bites. Make sure you pack plenty of bug and mozzie repellent, at least 30+ sunscreen, glasses and a hat.

15.00%
49.00%
Sunglasses and hat icon
Toilet paper

Its always good to have a roll of toilet paper on hand.

12.00%
59.00%
Toilet paper icon
Torch

A heavy duty, waterproof torch (and spare batteries) will provide valuable light when you most need it. Avoid using your smartphone as a light source to preserve battery during an emergency. 

11.00%
74.00%
Torch icon
Matches or a lighter

Matches are extremely useful in the event you get stranded and need to start a campfire to keep warm. 

24.00%
60.00%
Matches icon
Alternative communication equipment

Look into alternative communication equipment such as a 2-way radio to have as a backup in an emergency as your mobile phone may not work in remote areas.

28.00%
79.00%
Radio icon
Food and water

Keep bottled water and dry food/snacks in your car in case you are caught away from your accommodation (20 litres emergency use and 4 litres per person per day).

48.00%
30.00%
Water icon
Clothing

Take appropriate layers and types of clothing and footwear according to the environment you are visiting.

40.00%
49.00%
Clothes icon
Shovel and towrope

Pack a shovel and a towrope in case you get bogged. However always abide by ‘if it’s flooded, forget it’ if you come across any flooded road on your travels. 

35.00%
72.00%
Shovel icon
Maps

Pack hard copy maps of the places you are visiting in case you lose mobile connection.

47.00%
80.00%
Map icon
Spare tyre

Know where the jack in the car is stored and have 1-2 spare tyres packed in case you get a puncture.

66.00%
25.00%
Spare tyre icon
Important documents

Keep a photo copy of your driver’s licence, passport, travel and insurance papers as back-up.

58.00%
47.00%
Travel documents
Emergency contacts and useful apps

Save local emergency contact details in your phone in case you need to call for help. Go to the Get Ready Emergency Contacts page for a full listing. Download helpful apps and sign up to local weather warnings and road condition updates to stay informed especially using storm and cyclone season. Check out the Get Ready alerts and warnings pages for some ideas. 

70.00%
36.00%
Phone icon
Fire extinguisher

A small fire extinguisher specifically for car use can help prevent a small fire from becoming unmanageable.

86.00%
55.00%
Fire extinguisher icon
Esky

An esky is great to have to keep your water and any other other snacks cool during Queensland’s hot summer. 

70.00%
80.00%
Esky icon
Tool kit

Pack a tool kit in case you need to do any mechanical repairs whilst on the road – you don’t need to be a mechanic but it’s good to know a few basic skills.

88.00%
34.00%
Toolkit icon
Rubbish bags

Rubbish bags are handy on your travels to contain any rubbish but are also handy to waterproof any belongings in the event your vehicle exterior is exposed to rain and exposes your belongings.

94.00%
54.00%
Rubbish bags icon
Blanket and tarpaulin

Blankets are useful for keeping warm if you are stranded in your vehicle or can be used to protect your car if caught in a hail storm. A tarpaulin is also useful to keep the weather out of your car in case of a shattered windscreen or window. 

92.00%
65.00%
Blanket icon

Protect your caravan when a severe weather warning is issued

If you get caught in a major weather event whilst holidaying in your caravan, preparations should be immediately undertaken when a severe weather warning for a storm or cyclone is issued. For a full checklist of how best to protect your home away from home, check out the Get Ready caravans page.

Find out more and Get Ready

Check out these other pages and resources to help you Get Ready.