After securing our accommodations, the next mission was wrapping up the work year amid a frenzy of EOY kids’ events, work obligations, and Christmas parties cramming our schedule in November and early December. The tight timeframe left us with no room for detailed planning, and packing became a last-minute scramble.
Recognizing the forecasted temperatures of 35-40 degrees in some regions, we added a car fridge to our arsenal, safeguarding our perishables from spoiling. Clothes, cooking essentials, outdoor and swimming gear, books, devices, and an abundance of snacks were packed the day before our departure. Loaded with the initial set of items, we planned to set out early at 3:30-4 am, with Hay as our first destination, just over 7.5 hours from Sydney. Accounting for 2-3 half-hour stops, we anticipated a late afternoon arrival in Hay.
While planning was meticulous, executing the plan presented its challenges. Though we initially allocated 15 minutes to load the remaining items that morning, the process of packing, tying, and securing everything demanded a solid 45 minutes.
Our preferred strategy for keeping luggage secure during long road trips with kids involves elastic cargo nets. These nets ensure everything stays in place, preventing rolling or shifting, especially when navigating inclines or unsealed roads.
Despite the hustles, we managed to hit the road at 5 am (I had anticipated a 5 am departure anyway, an hour buffer to the original planned departure time).