Tips on how to avoid break-ins & thefts on your trip around Australia

With the growing popularity of campervans and cars being bought and rented by backpackers for their Aussie road trips, more break ins and thefts are being reported. There are some simple tips on how to avoid becoming a victim:


They tend to stand out from the rest of the vehicles parked at the beach/campground/tourist attraction...

They can have loud paintjobs, surfwear stickers or decals, proclaim rental company names and are packed with everything from cooking utensils to bedding and clothes.

They are the vans and station wagons that backpackers rent or buy for their once-in-a-lifetime trip around Australia, and they are increasingly becoming seen as 'soft targets' for thieves.

Modern backpackers tend to sport iPods, digital cameras, mobile phones and even portable DVD players or laptop computers along with wallets, CDs, sunglasses and passports. All are attractive items on a stealing wish list.

Nothing can put a dampener on an adventure up the East Coast, along the Great Ocean Road, through the outback or on any of the countless other road trips around Australia more than being the victim of theft. There are, however, a few simple pieces of advice that can greatly reduce the chances of the budget traveller becoming another statistic.

John Lang from national backpacker sales and rental company Travellers Auto Barn explains:
"We tell our customers that there are a couple of really easy things they can do to keep their valuables safe. Firstly, all the things that are targets of a thief tend to be pretty small, like MP3 players, cameras, phones and wallets. There really isn't much of a reason not to always carry these things with you wherever you go. When you leave your car or van, pull the curtains across the windows so no one can see inside and they won't know if there is even someone in there. If you don't have curtains in a vehicle that you buy, go out and buy some. They are cheap and you will regret not having them. At very least cover any belongings with blankets. On hot days, people are often tempted to leave their windows open a little bit. This also invites a break in, so we don't recommend it. Also check every door and the boot is locked every time you leave the vehicle. Backpacker cars can be older and central locking might not always be reliable."

Lang also has advice on where to park: "You have to use common sense when you choose where to park. Try to choose somewhere that is well lit and open if you can't find secure parking. If you are parking during the day and will be there into the night, check out if the area will be lit later by street lights or floodlights. You also want to choose a popular spot that is visible and open."

According to the June 2008 Tourism Australia Visitor Survey, 11% of all visitors to Australia are backpackers and in the year ended June 08, over 2 million days were spent by backpackers in vehicles in Australia.

For campervans hire & rentals, please visit http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/.