5 tips for a Wicked roadtrip from Vancouver to Los Angeles!

A Wicked’ee by the name of Mitzi picked up a 5-seater Campervan from our depot in Vancouver recently. After partying at the totally awesome Shambhala music festival, Mitzi hit the road towards Los Angeles.

Mitzi kindly tweeted over some tips for anyone planning on doing the same. Big thanks to Mitzi for the blog post and the pics. No doubt Shambhala was sick!

Here’s Mitzi’s 5 tips (original source lastminute.com)

1. A reliable mode of transport.
We used Wicked Vans, who, undeniably, have a pretty interesting reputation. However, the 5 Sleeper Camper van we picked up in Vancouver was totally fine. Sure, it was pretty slow and guzzled fuel like a dairy cow guzzles water, but, hey, at least it looked cool. Any fans of Beetlejuice in the house? (see below)

2. Gas stations.
Aside from the obvious, you’ll also need gas stations to top up on your car snacks. We found that snacks high in sugar, like pretzles were most effective at keeping us alert on our long (up to 12 hours) driving days.

Also, caffeine. Leave your inner coffee snob at the door- American gas stations offer up large-size filter coffee cups (think large slurpie-size cups) with little sachets of flavoured cream. We discovered Rev Coffee, a highly caffeinated filter coffee that jump-starts your heart and had me go from yawning in the passenger seat to dancing in 20 minutes flat.

3. Casino car parks.
Here’s a great tip: you can sleep in the car parks of rural casinos as long as you go in, gamble and have a few drinks! You can also park in rural Walmart car parks if you call ahead and ask first. Seriously- here’s us set up at the Spirit Mountain Casino, just outside of Portland.

4. Regular stops.
Let’s be real, driving can be pretty monotonous. Some of the amazing places we stopped were Seattle and Monterey, near San Fran, to check out the seals.

5. A travel anthem.
The song you choose must be played regularly, to the point that whenever you hear it you burst into tears or laugh (preferably both). Hand out the window, music screaming through the speakers, day #8 without a shower, I realised that, yeah, living in a van ain’t so bad!

True freedom and adventure are the best things in the world.

Outback Motoring

Australia’s size and remoteness deter many people from exploring it. However, properly set up and equipped, and armed with common sense and a little background knowledge, every intending traveller can explore the country’s huge open space.

If you intend travelling in the outback, planning ahead is vital, for it is possible to travel in some sections of the Australian outback and not see another vehicle or person for several days. It is possible to travel in some areas of the outback in a 2WD vehicle, but it is safer and much more practical to do so in a 4×4 vehicle suited to off-road conditions.

Since driving conditions in the outback vary greatly, you should always consider the right 4×4 hire for your travel. 4×4 rental are the best when it comes to soft sand, bulldust and mud, and crossing a creek of stream.

Critical rules that you need to pay attention when you are motoring in the outback:

• Check intended 4×4 routes carefully
• Check the best time of year to travel
• Check your load; keep it to a minimum
• Check ahead of local road conditions, weather forecasts and fuel availability
• Check that you have essential supplies: water, food and fuel
• Don’t forget your detailed maps
• Respect Aboriginal sacred and cultural sites, and heritage buildings and pioneer relics
• Protect native flora and fauna; take photographs not specimens
• Follow restrictions on the use

Planning Ahead is Important!

There is so much to of Australia to see and so many ways to see it. Today, even the most remote sections of this vast continent are accessible, particularly to 4×4 vehicles designed for use on the bush tracks and unmade roads.

For some, exploring Australia will mean touring the made highways and staying in motels. Others will tow their accommodation with them on a 4×4 camper. Others will opt for a mobile home with sleeping and cooking facilities, and yet other group will choose to be the true adventurers, will load a tent on top of the 4×4 hire and go bush. In all cases, some careful planning will enhance the journey immeasurably.

As a traveller, you need to plan ahead:

• Find advance information on the 4×4 area you are going to explore
• When to go; find the best time to explore in your 4×4
• Plan which way to go; plan your 4×4 route and itineraries
• Locate where you would like to stay and campout in your 4wd
• Find the right 4×4 hire that really suits your budget
• When you book your 4×4, make sure you are covered with the right insurance

Cheap Travel Deals Australia

Outback Travel Deals

Wanna see some red dirt and blue sky? Well look no further than Johnny Feelgood’s Travel Deals out of Alice Springs, Coober Pedy and throughout Australia! Whether you want a 4WD or an organised tour, Johnny Feelgood has you covered baby! Don’t resort to sniffing cheap glue because you spent all your money on a crappy tour – ask Johnny Feelgood to hook you up with the best tours at the best prices. You’ll save so much money, you can buy premium glue and get a classy high…

Tasty Deals

Johnny Feelgood has slashed its prices so much you’d think Freddy Krueger’s been in the sales department. But he hasn’t. We did it! Save up to 50% on travel tours, activities and campervan hire across Australia!! Want to feel up a camel in the desert? Johnny can get you there. Want to scuba-dive with a siamese fighting shark? Well if they exist, then Johnny can get you there! The cheapest travel deal with the sexiest tour operators, Johnny Feelgood will make you feel…good. Yay.

Trip Ideas in Australia

Do you find it hard choosing a travel destination? Me too. Sometimes I just like to get trashed and play plane-roullette. But sometimes you can end up in the ghetto, or New Zealand. So it’s probably better to plan your trip. Luckily, the brain-heads at Johnny Feelgood have concocted a whole bunch of trip ideas, so you can do a bit of research before you choose where to go. Check them out, there’s roadtrips and campervan hire deals across Australia – your eyes will fall out with anticipation.

New Zealand has so much to offer for such a small place. The country coastline has many beaches, national parks, volcanoes in the North Island, alpine grandeur incorporate glaciers, snow-capped peaks and unbelievable mountains and lakes. You can travel from Christchurch to Queenstown to discover the beauty of Franz Josef glacier and experience Milford Sound and enjoy waterfalls, lush greenery and stunning nature. If you are in Queenstown, you can enjoy the magnificent, turquoise Lake Wakatipu, or you could drive and pass through barren, high mountains that glimmers with snow in winter and looks inviting for a hike in the summer. Enjoy the night life in this this small, yet busy town. There are so much to see and do in Queenstown, and the best getting around is on a campervan. Drive as you please, sleep under the sky and save money on your accommodation.

If you are starting your campervan holiday from Auckland, there are shit loads of things you can do; hiking through scenic regional parks and trekking up volcanoes for panoramic views of the city, sailing, jet boating and island-hopping in the Hauraki Gulf, head up to colonial towns, or just sit back and enjoy wineries with a view. There are endless entertainment in Auckland, and it’s such a big area. The best way of getting around this massive playground is on a campervan dude! Cheap, comfy and provide you with the all in one transport and accommodation.

Or if you are picking your campervan from our Christchurch depot, make sure you enjoy the culture, outdoor activities and amazing gardens of this wicked town. Southern Alps is in the west and the Pacific Ocean is on the east, this is the largest region in New Zealand man, so much things to do! Bet you have never experience the landscape like Aoraki Mt Cook or the Southern Alps. It’s a massive land, too expensive if you want to hit it all using a bus or by tour.

For the best deal in your campervan hire New Zealand, you should book with Wicked campervan rental. They have got loads of discounts and you get value for money dude!!