To help you plan your snow holiday, we’ve pulled together a list of the best slopes destinations you can drive to in Australia. Read on and start making plans!

#1 Perisher, NSW

Perisher is the biggest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere boasting more than 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain to explore. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down at Perisher either, with night skiing an option usually every Tuesday and Saturday on the Front Valley slope during the season. Approximately 5.5hrs drive from Sydney with a handy ski tube alpine railway to take you straight to the ski village and avoid the icy roads to the resort.

#2 Mount Hotham, VIC

Mount Hotham is unique in that the ski village is located at the top of the mountain, so you wake up in the clouds with all the fresh powder below you. It also boasts some of the more challenging terrains in Australia, making it a popular choice for more confident skiers. Being a confident skier is no prerequisite for having a fun time at Mount Hotham, with more than 20 restaurant and bar options for après skiing and plenty of space allocated for snow tubing and tobogganing. Mount Hotham is a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne.

#3 Thredbo, NSW

Thredbo has the five longest ski runs in Australia and is the ski field for you if you’re all about the distance. There is a good mix of slopes that caters well for skiers of intermediate level or above. There is a bustling alpine village that caters well to foodies and party-goers alive. It will take you about 5.5 hours to drive to Thredbo from Sydney.

#4 Falls Creek, VIC

If you’re keen to avoid crowds on the mountain, Falls Creek is a good option. We are told, it doesn’t get as crowded here compared to other ski areas in Australia and has some of the best cross-country skiing tracks in the country. Although more advanced skiiers may not find the runs overly challenging, being only a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne with plenty of ski in/ski out accommodation, it is a good choice for accessibility.

#5 Mount Buller, VIC

Combining quality ski trails, spectacular scenery, and first-rate resort facilities, Mt Buller certainly has a lot going for it. With two distinct mountainsides, there’s a choice between the Northern Slopes, packed with blue runs, and the Southern Slopes, where black trails reign. A short 3-hour drive from Melbourne, Mount Buller offers magnificent views over the Victorian Alps and Delatite Valley.

Be prepared for the road trip

If you do find yourself driving to a ski resort this winter, remember to make sure your car is ready for the journey. For tips on preparing your car for a road trip, see here. Remember, you can reduce windscreen chips by keeping a safe distance from the cars in front of you and driving to the conditions as well.

And if you do have a small chip in your windscreen, make sure you get your chip repaired before you head off (as extreme temperature changes can cause existing chips to crack).

If you do find yourself in need of a windscreen repair or replacement after a mountain adventure or while out on the road*, call our friendly team of windscreen experts, 24/7, on 1800 059 829 or send us a message.

*Service availability may vary depending on location. Please contact us for information.

The post Hit The Slopes On A Winter Road Trip – 5 Top Aussie Destinations appeared first on O'Brien.

As part of our outgoing and free-spirited lifestyle, we Aussies love to go on a good road trip away with friends and family. There is a sense of freedom that comes from being out on the open road, and while the goal is to get to your destination as quickly and safely as possible, it’s the journey and the memories that can be the most rewarding.

However, driving for long periods across long stretches of road, often at high speeds can impact your car, your driver and your passengers.

Between school holidays, public holidays and the days becoming shorter heading into the winter months, unfortunately, there tends to be an increased risk of motorists hitting native wildlife on the road. That being said, a lengthy journey requires planning, concentration, and patience to make the drive safe for everyone – even for our animal friends, you may encounter!

In this article, we’ve compiled some tips to help you prepare for a road trip and have a safe and fun holiday while also protecting wildlife on the road.

The price of wildlife collisions: why we should care

In Australia, it is sadly estimated that around 10 million animals are struck on the road each year, from the larger mammals like kangaroos, possums and wombats, to smaller animals such as reptiles, birds, echidnas.

Not only does this affect our precious wildlife, but these scenarios can also cause distress for the driver, damage vehicles and injure passengers too.

The outcome is often dependent on the type of impact and the animal’s size. While vehicle crashes involving larger animals are not uncommon in Australia, incidents involving wildlife are also adding up.

Tips to avoid animal collisions when on a road trip

While all of this is a sad reality, better driver safety comes from knowledge and preparation before you set out.

So, for wildlife safety and the welfare of you and your passengers, here are three quick reminders to help ensure your family getaway is as fun as you deserve!

1. Prepare your car

Tuning up your vehicle before a road trip and practising safety standards while on the drive are essentials. Always remember to:

• Wear a seatbelt
• Check if all the lights are working
• Make sure your tyres are in good condition
• Regularly maintain windscreen wipers to ensure clear vision
• Ensure your windscreen is clean and doesn’t have any distracting chips or cracks

For more information, you can read our blog: Preparing Your Car For A Road Trip

2. Always be alert and aware

Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for vehicular accidents. To help with focus, take regular breaks from driving and try to avoid anything that may cause distractions. Also, keep your eyes on the road and stay on the lookout for animals.

3. Moderate your speed

Be extra alert when driving at dawn and dusk as this is when many animals are generally more active.

When driving in conditions with poor visibility, where bushland comes right up to the edge of the road or where animals are known to roam, moderating your speed will give you a better chance of avoiding a collision with an animal, which can save the life the animal, prevent injuries to you and prevent damage to your vehicle.

What to do in case of a wildlife accident

We can all participate in reducing the animal road toll with knowledge and safety.

If you do come across an injured or distressed animal, contact a local wildlife rescue group in the area you are in, and they will let you know what you can do and how they can assist.

Stay on the safe side when driving with O'Brien^®

At O'Brien^®, we care about you and our wildlife, especially when going on a road trip with your friends and family.

So, before you set out, check your windscreen for any distracting chips or cracks to prevent any obstructed views of the road ahead. If you do need a chip repair or a windscreen replacement, our local glass experts can help you prepare before a road trip so you’re all set.

Or if something happens while you’re away, we also offer emergency call-out options and with hundreds of technicians across Australia able to help with windscreen repairs, we’re here for you.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

The post Tips For a Wildlife-Safe Road Trip appeared first on O'Brien.

Research shows more of us are looking to stay local for our holidays this year with online searches for caravan sales up 50 per cent December 2020 compared to the same time in 2019.

If you have a campervan holiday planned in Australia this year, there are many things to consider. Not least of all how to keep your windscreen crack and chip-free while you’re driving along the open road.

At O'Brien^® we’ve repaired and replaced our fair share of campervan windscreens and to help you avoid having to do the same on your holidays, we’ve pulled together a few things to be mindful of while driving in your home away from home;

1. Trucks. There are lots of them transporting goods all around Australia. Trucks often flick stones which cause windscreen chips. So, where possible, always maintain distance from trucks on the open road.
2. You may encounter gravel or unsealed roads or road works on your travels. These type of roads make it easy for other cars and trucks to flick up rocks and debris that could hit your windscreen or chip your paint – so slow down and keep your distance from the vehicle in front.
3. Weather conditions across Australia can be pretty hectic. Baking hot one minute and freezing cold the next. While the tendency may be to blast the aircon or heating onto the windscreen to counteract the weather outside, it’s far better for your windscreen if you can maintain a moderate temperature within the vehicle at all times.
4. Vandals are out there and campervans can be a target for them. Make sure you do your research on where to stay. Also, read road signs and don’t leave your campervan for extended periods in spots where you aren’t permitted to stay.

As with all road trips make sure you take care while driving. You may find yourself driving in areas where cars are infrequently seen and wildlife abundant. So respect the wildlife that lives in that area by keeping to the speed limit and being extra vigilant of animals near the road at dawn and dusk. To help maximise your visibility on long road trips we recommend regularly cleaning your windscreen and making sure your windscreen wipers are in good working order.

If you do find yourself with a cracked or chipped windscreen, O'Brien^® is here to help wherever you are with our national network covering 99% of the Australian population. If you’ve rented your campervan, your first port of call is the rental company. If you own your campervan, O'Brien^® can assist you in repairing or replacing your windscreen and can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 059 829.

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