Sydney to Gold Coast by car with 2yr old

[Rainbowbrite]

OK, be prepared for lots of questions :o We are leaving next friday to drive from here (just past Sydney) to the Gold Coast. We are thinking of leaving about 5am if not earlier, pretty much when we are awake enough. According to whereis.com its just under 9hrs without stops.

So to the questions

What should I take for her?

How should I dress her?

How often should we stop?

Anything else you can tell me?

Thanks guys.

[MariaO]

When we drove up to Brisbane with Aoife at 18 months we had a few surprise toys, and lots, I mean lots, of her books. We tried to time it so that she had a two hour sleep for the big stints. We also stopped at playgrounds so she could have a big run around. You'll be fine! We also had a few of her favourite cds in the car - I could not listen to the Jambo Tree for a month or so afterwards.

If you are going to be taking her from her cot, then her pyjamas should be fine (no?)

I would also have a variety of snacks.

[Rainbowbrite]

We will be getting her straight out of bed once we're ready to leave & putting her straight in the car. Just wondering once we change her, what to put her in. Just don't want her to be too hot or cold. She will have blankets though if she wants them.

I'm thinking I will make up a heap of sandwiches, fruit, chips & stuff to keep her happy.

So much planning that needs to be done.

How long did it take you guys to get there?

[Aquamarine]

We did the trip with a 4 yo 3 yo and baby.
Luckily we have a dvd player installed in our car and I can say it was awesome.

We had the luggage packed on top of the car but I packed a bag with spare clothes, drinks, snacks in the car.

We stopped a few times for kids to stretch legs and have breakfast etc.

Wasn't as traumatic as I expected.

Enjoy your trip.

[MariaO]

We took our time on the way up. We left in the early evening and stopped at Taree, then the next day drove up to Byron, and Byron to Bribie Island on the third day.

On the way back though we drove as far as the hunter valley on the first day, and hunter to sydney on the next.

I would not worry too much about what she will be wearing, something comfortable like you would want yourself, bonds comfy top and tracky pants?

We will be doing the trip back to Europe in the plane with our two year old next week so I had not thought of what clothes she should wear, so thanks for that.

Another thing I bought on route was a cheap new toy mobile phone - excrutiatingly annoying for us to listen to but it kept herself happy on that last bit of the trip to Byron so well worth it.