With travel constraints lifted, leisure isn’t about couch-sitting anymore. Everyone’s looking to hit the road again and explore. You’ve probably missed the feeling of the open road ahead, the wind in your hair and the golden days outdoors. That’s why it’s high time to reconnect with nature and support the local communities too.

So, buckle up. We’re going on a road trip! While the whole state of NSW has so much to offer, here are our top 6 picks to put on your destination list over the next few months.

Let’s start with your own roadmap to freedom

How long has it been since you’ve planned an itinerary? It’s probably been a while, so let’s get reacquainted with the basics.

Aside from packing extra clothes, a first-aid kit and preparing your favourite road trip music (check out our O'Brien^® Roadtrip playlist on Spotify!), you also need to think about your car. Remember – it’s important to have a safe and reliable vehicle, especially if you’re heading out on a long drive.

Don’t forget to ensure you’ve had your car serviced recently to avoid any problems down the track. Also, check your front windscreen, side windows and side mirrors for any chips or cracks – you don’t want to set off, hit a bump and have a cracked windscreen ruin your trip. If your windscreen is chipped or cracked you can contact us to have it repaired before you leave. Or, if it happens during your road trip you might find one of our many nationwide branches along the way.

All set? Ok, now you just need to choose your destination!

New South Wales is full of great regional places to visit – so, to help you get started, we’ve compiled some of the travel gems the state has to offer.

6 Post-Lockdown Road Trip Destinations in New South Wales

Mudgee

The sophisticated country life in Mudgee makes it a great escape destination. Cruising through this town will give you an eclectic mix of heritage buildings, modern cafes and countless picturesque scenery!

For those with equally sophisticated palates, you can also find a feast at many local places such as High Valley Cheese Co, the Farmhouse at Blue Wren Farm and The Zin House Restaurant. Of course, as a renowned wine-producing town, Mudgee offers visitors a list of boutique local wineries to sip and swirl their latest drop. And, no trip is complete without a stop at the family-owned Mudgee Brewing Company. Only 3 hours from Sydney, Mudgee is a definite must-see for everyone.

Lightning Ridge

For a bit more of an ambitious road trip, Lightning Ridge is around an eight hour’s drive from Sydney, bordering the south of Queensland. As one of the most interesting places to visit in Australia, you’ll find eccentric characters such as Stanley the Emu ornamenting the not so typical outback.

Lightning Ridge is also home to the iconic Black Opal. You can set your sights on mining for gems or try your hand at fossicking! The roads in this town are paved and while the way to the mines is moonlike in appearance, you can still drive through easily. It’s essential, however, that you’re using a vehicle suitable for long drives and rougher roads.

Batemans Bay

Nestled on the far south coast of NSW, Bateman’s Bay is just four hours from Sydney and 2 hours from Canberra. The coastal activities against a picturesque backdrop make Batemans Bay definitely trip worthy. You can also take a detour through the Royal National Park or go via the coastal city of Wollongong for a bite of fresh seafood while looking out at the lighthouse and local beaches. For the cyclists amongst us, you can enjoy the flatways leading to Birdland Animal Park and scenic waterfront picnic areas.

Bathurst

If you haven’t been to Bathurst, make sure to put it on your list. The total drive time from Sydney is just under 3 hours and there are lots to see along the way and of course when you arrive. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, make sure you still have the energy to drive through the iconic Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit. Here, you can experience the closest you can get to a professional racing event – albeit with speed limits.

Dubbo

Dubbo is home to the famous Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It’s a place where you can enjoy a family adventure while getting close to hundreds of beautiful, rare and endangered animals. Or, if you’ve already had your fill of driving, learn more about the local history and culture at the Heritage in Dubbo and Western Plains Cultural Centre.

Once the day starts to set, why not head to somewhere unique for dinner. Church Bar, transformed from an old church schoolhouse, offers an extensive woodfire pizza menu that will suit every taste.

Kiama

Soak in a showcase of breathtaking seaside views while driving across the picturesque Sea Cliff Bridge toward Kiama. This laidback vacation destination is great for families looking to relax on the beach and indulge in its local food spots.

Thrill-seekers can set their sights on the world-famous Kiama Blowhole and surf the magnificent waves that the local beaches have to offer. Kiama is ideal if you want a short road trip with lots to see and do.

How to hit the NSW roads with no worries

These are just a few of the many regional towns to see if you’re feeling tentative about venturing overseas just yet.

Did any of these inspire you to set out? Are there any other regional NSW destinations you’d love to see? We’d love to hear yours!

Just don’t forget that, since Australia’s landscape is notoriously harsh and unpredictable, our friendly reminder is to always check your windscreen, car windows and side mirrors for any damage. With such beauty to see, a clear windscreen and windows is a must of course!

Nevertheless, if you find yourself in need of windscreen services, don’t worry. No matter where you are in Australia, you can contact us and we are likely to have a branch or technician near you to help. That way, you’ll be back on the road in no time.

Travel safe with the experts at O'Brien^®

With over 95 years of experience, our expertise in quality service makes us Australia’s leading vehicle glass repair and replacement company.

We understand our clients more than anyone else. So, feel free to start your road trip with a visit to a nearby O'Brien^® branch for speedy and professional vehicle glass services.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or visit our website.

The post 6 Regional NSW Road Trip Destinations to Explore Post-Lockdown appeared first on O'Brien.

Just in time for summer, road trips are becoming the go-to activity as they offer an easy and accessible way to rediscover the outdoors and explore. But before you pack your bags and leave your home, just make sure that your car is as up for the adventure as you are. Here are a few tips on how to prepare your car for a road trip.

Prepping for a stress-free summer drive

While the iconic Australian summer sun is lovely to bask in and enjoy, the temperatures can be just as destructive to vehicles as the winter.

Extreme heat is known to cause:

• Engine overheating
• Broken air conditioning
• Low tire pressure
• Fuel and oil leaks
• Weak battery charge
• Expanded windshield and glass cracks
• Brake issues

However, this shouldn’t hold you back from your summer road trip. You just need to take the right precautions beforehand.

So, before heading to the highway, you can start by doing a routine car check-up. To help, we’ve compiled a simple list of ways to help prepare your car before you embark on your journey this summer, so you can minimise your chances of finding yourself frustrated, inconvenienced or even stranded.

5 car safety checks to make before a road trip

1. Check your battery

Imagine driving across Australia and your battery just dies. To make matters worse, the next town may be kilometres away. To avoid this scenario, it’s a smart idea to check your car battery before you set out. Are your headlights dimmer than before? Does your engine start but die immediately? Is your battery over 3-4 years old? Can you hear a low cranking when you start the car? If any of these are the case, then it may be time for a replacement. Get a professional mechanic to help you out with this.

2. Test the Air Con

When it’s hot, we like to be cool. Windows down with the wind in your hair is part of the road trip fun. However, the sweltering summer heat may have you rolling the windows up and putting the air conditioning on full blast. The last thing you want is for that to fail!

If you don’t clean or replace your air filter, or you’re finding that your system is struggling to keep up, you could expect a warm and uncomfortable trip ahead. If you’re not too familiar with what to do, it helps to consult a professional mechanic.

3. Inspect your engine

As a driver, if you notice your car is producing an unusual sound when you start it or it feels heavy when you drive, don’t ignore the signs. You might find that your dashboard is displaying some warning lights so have it looked at straight away.

Things might be obvious if you open the bonnet. Have a look around the engine and see if anything looks odd or out of place. If you’re not sure, have a professional look at it.

And before taking off on a road trip you should check your oil levels to make sure your engine is well lubricated, your coolant so your radiator doesn’t overheat, and your water level for your windscreen wipers should you need them in adverse weather or just to clean the dirt off your windscreen.

4. Repair a chipped or cracked windscreen and any side windows or rear glass

A chip in your windscreen is often a seemingly tiny problem you want to push to the back of your mind. You know you have to repair it, but you may delay fixing it because it seems too trivial.

However, ignoring a windscreen chip could lead to it cracking, causing more problems for you later. So, take the time to examine your vehicle glass beforehand. Fixing a chip before it cracks is faster, cheaper and greener. So don’t wait.

If you need a professional to look at your vehicle’s glass surfaces, O'Brien^® offers a vehicle glass repair and replacement service, with an approved repairer network that covers 987% of Australia’s population and is contactable 24/7.

5. Test your tyres

Balding tyres can be dangerous – they lack traction and make it hard to brake. In addition, high pressure from high road temperatures can also cause changes in your tyres. To avoid accidents, conduct a visual inspection for tread wear, especially uneven wear, and replace tyres when they don’t serve their purpose anymore.

You also should check your tyre pressure regularly to see if they have enough air. Simply use a tyre pressure gauge which tends to be freely available at many service stations across the country.

Safety: a road frequently travelled

This checklist is a good start to preparing your car for wherever you want to head off for your summer road trip. However, even well-prepared explorers seek help from professionals.

Just remember, no matter where you are in Australia, you can call O'Brien^® to have your vehicle glass repaired or replaced. We can fix your problem in one of our nationwide branches or Authorised Dealer partners located across Australia, or our mobile technicians can also come to you.

That way, if a chip or a crack threatens your road trip, you can have it sorted and be back on the road in no time.

Make it a summer to remember with O'Brien^®

Whether you’re preparing for a trip or just having a regular car check-up, O'Brien^® knows how to help make your journey safe and memorable. With over 95 years of experience, our quality service makes us Australia’s leading vehicle glass repair and replacement company.

We understand our clients more than anyone else. So, feel free to start your road trip with a visit to a nearby O'Brien^® branch for your vehicle glass solutions.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or visit https://www.obrien.com.au/autoglass/.

The post Preparing Your Car for A Summer Road Trip appeared first on O'Brien.

Foodbank provides 77 million meals a year (210,000 meals a day). Pre-COVID-19, Foodbank programs assisted more than 815,000 Australians each and every month however since the pandemic was declared there has been a 47% increase in demand for food relief.

“On behalf of the entire O'Brien Leadership team, I would like to say a BIG thank you to all that donated to their local Glazing branch to support such a fantastic cause! We have received so many donations across the country which I’m certain will make a massive difference to the lives of many!” said Nigel Woolley, Glazing Operations Director, O'Brien^®.

To find out more about Foodbank, and how they make a difference to people in need throughout local communities around Australia click here.

The post Making A Difference In May appeared first on O'Brien.

“I love dealing with customers, especially elderly customers, and going over and above for them in any way I can. It makes me feel happy knowing I have done my very best for them and they are happy.”

Dean, who is based out of the O'Brien Glass^® branch in Silverwater, has lived in the South West since his family emigrated to Australia from South Africa when he was four years old. He loves working in the area. He has worked as a glazier for 22 years, the last 2 with O'Brien^®.

“The glazier in me loves the wide streets, flat blocks and easy accessibility of the houses in the South West.”

Even outside of work, you’ll find Dean on the tools. He’s just finished building his own home in from scratch. The house, located in Macarthur Heights, took him 6 months to build and he’s so happy with the result. Now that the house is finished, Dean has more time to spend at one of his favourite local haunts the West Leagues Club in the Campbelltown area.

The post Local Glazier Spotlight – Dean Khan, Campbelltown appeared first on O'Brien.