As most grey nomads are only too well aware, choosing the right audio entertainment for those long Outback drives can give a massive lift to the on-the-road experience.
Every traveller or group of travellers has a song or artist that triggers special memories, perhaps of that drive up the Centre, or along the Oodnadatta Track.
But are those special soundtracks as important to older travellers as they seem to be to younger adventurers?
Well, apparently not.
At least not according to the results of a major new survey from leading insurer, Budget Direct.
The right soundtrack selection is key for an enjoyable Outback drive. PIC: Pexels / Breakingpic
After talking to more than 1,000 Australians aged over 18, the survey found that drivers aged over 65 were amongst the better prepared, with high numbers reported when it came to carrying out basic car care before a road trip. It was a different story when it came to tunes though. A whopping 40% of 18-27-year-olds thought selecting a playlist was one of the more important items on the pre-trip checklist.
So, how important is music to grey nomad driving days? Long, open stretches of road and wide Australian vistas certainly seem to beg for a favourite tune turned up to max. When it comes to the perfect musical accompaniment to that desert sunset, winding mountain ascent, or coastline highway, tastes vary wildly.
There are a variety of tried and tested classic road trip songs from ‘On the Road Again’, to ‘Born To Run’, and Aussie artists from AC/DC to John Williamson, and Midnight Oil to Slim Dusty, who have proven on-the-road compatibility.
Where to next from these classics though? Is it better to go for guitar-driven, foot-tapping sing-alongs, or some contemplative storytelling to take your mind off the ‘monotony’ of driving through the endless Outback? While some prefer the storytelling and observations on Australian life from likes of Paul Kelly and others the big rock tunes of band like Queen, any group or song can become a personal road trip classic.
And these days, of course, many travellers are choosing to listen to podcasts instead as they clock up the kilometres in this Wide Brown Land. With no shortage of shows ranging from in-depth news and sports to true crime and history and everything in between, the options truly are endless.
And, of course, for non-solo travellers, the Big Lap soundtrack can require an element of negotiation with others in the car.
Grey nomad Sarbi said music from ’50s and ’60s and Slim Dusty was what kept their car rocking.
“Or we just talk to each other about the land we are traveling through,” he said.
John G said that, while he and his wife are driving around home, they always have some sort of sound playing … but it was a different story when they were on big trips.
“While we always take an assortment of music, books, etc with us we just never get around to playing any of it,” he said. “Instead, we do that other thing … we chat!”
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I like to rotate between 80’s Aussie rock (Cold Chisel, Angels, INXS etc) and a bit of modern country e.g. Chris Stapelton, Midland, Miranda Lambert. The wife sits reading from her iPad and tunes out.
stick some ROLLING STONES music on keeps you going for miles
I was a permanent traveller for 5 years and I built up a list of over 2000 songs in my saved liked songs on Spotify. I virtually had my own radio station where I could l pick my own genre depending on my mood.
Remember those things called CD’s. Our 16 year old ute has a player. There are squillions of CD’s in charity shops, so exchanging is part of the trip and feeding the player gives madame something to do. Keeping choice discs allows a favourite for every mood and there’s no need to fiddle with electronic media. Bliss.
We have been living full-time on the road now for 12 months. Everday when we are hitched up and are moving on the first song we play is George Ezra ‘Shotgun’.
Roddo. I have hundreds of CD’s and I am a just retired interstate truck driver, so I would always be listening to them. Now since I have youtube music I have never touched a CD. Just made a few very long playlists, hit play and have hours of music without having to be mucking around changing discs.
Then if the playlist finishes it keeps playing music based on what it knows I like.
My choices are most rock music from 60’s 70’s and eighties
Having sold my house & now permanently on the road solo, music as I drive is a must. I crank up the volume & depending on my mood I listen to anything mostly from the 50’s to the 80’s. Michael Jackson, Beachboys, Bee Gees, Queen, Stones, S/Quo, Creedence, Favourite first song is Goin Up The Country followed by Great Southern Land. Quite often it’ll be a country selection of various artists.
Dianne. You post reminded me of when I got married 41 years ago.
For our honey moon we drove to Cairns from Melbourne
I had a box of cassettes(remember them) and were all numbered.
We decided to play them in order. Ironically the first album was LRB with the first song being
“It’s a Long Way There”.