Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and take it to a vet in the nearest town
or call one of the following wildlife
care groups:
Wildlife Information &
Rescue Service (WIRES)
in New
South Wales (
&
02/8977 3333);
Wildlife Victoria
(
&
0500/540 000
or 03/9663 9211);
Wildlife Rescue
in
Queensland (
&
0418 792 598);
RSPCA Wildlife
in the ACT (
&
02/
6287 8100 or 0413/495 031);
FAWNA Inc.
in Western Australia
(
&
08/9753 2118);
Wildlife Rescue
in the Northern Territory (
&
08/8999
4536);
Fauna Rescue of S.A.
(
&
08/
8289 0896) in South Australia; or
Wildcare
in Tasmania (
&
03/6233
6556). Most vets will treat native
wildlife for free.
Some highways run through
unfenced stations (ranches), where
sheep and cattle pose a threat. Cattle
like to rest on the warm bitumen road
at night, so put your lights on high to
spot them. If an animal does loom up,
slow down but never swerve or you
may roll, and, if you have to, hit it.
Tell ranchers within 24 hours if you
have hit their livestock.
Car-rental companies will not
insure for animal damage to the car,
which should give you an inkling of
how common an occurrence this is.
ROAD TRAINS
Road trains con-
sist of as many as three big truck car-
riages linked together to make a
“train” up to 54m (177 ft.) long. If
you're in front of one, give them
plenty of warning when you brake,
because they need a lot of distance to
slow down. Allow at least 1 clear kilo-
meter (over
1
⁄
2
mile) before you pass
one, but don't expect the driver to
make it easy—“truckies” are notorious
for their lack of concern for motorists.
UNPAVED ROADS
Many country
roads are unsealed (unpaved). They are
usually bone-dry, which makes them
more slippery than they look, so travel
at a moderate speed—35kmph (22
mph) is not too cautious and anything
over 60kmph (37 mph) is dangerous.
Don't overcorrect if you veer to one
side. Keep well behind any vehicles
because the dust they throw up can
block your vision.
FLOODS
Floods are common in
the Top End and north of Cairns
November or December through
March or April (the wet season).
Never cross a flooded road unless you
are sure of its depth. Crocodiles may
be in the water, so do not wade in to
test it! Fast-flowing water is danger-
ous, even if very shallow. When in
doubt, stay where you are and wait for
the water to drop, because most flash
floods subside in 24 hours. Check the
road conditions ahead at least once a
day in the wet season.
RUNNING OUT OF GAS
Gas
stations (also called “roadhouses” in
rural areas) can be few and far between
in the Outback, so fill up at every
opportunity.
WHAT IF YOUR VEHICLE
BREAKS DOWN?
Warning:
If you break down or get
lost, never leave your vehicle. Many a
motorist, often an Aussie who should
know better, has died wandering off
on a crazy quest for help or water,
knowing full well that neither is to be
found for maybe hundreds of miles.
Most people who get lost do so in
Outback spots; if that happens to you,
conserve your body moisture by doing
as little as possible and staying in the
shade of your car. Put out distress sig-
nals in patterns of three—three yells,
three columns of smoke, and so on.
The traditional Outback call for help
is “Coo-
ee,
” with the accent on the
“ee” and yodeled in a high pitch; the
sound travels a surprisingly long way.
The state auto clubs listed above
provide free breakdown emergency
assistance to members of many affili-
ated automobile associations around
the world.
