autopatrolled
163
edits
Changes
no edit summary
}}
In the coastal and “high”-density areas of Australia, from about from [[Adelaide]] to [[Brisbane]]/[[Cairns]], hitching is much the same as anywhere else in Western culture. Roads Road lanes are wide with very often large emergency stopping lanes , so finding a good stop is not very difficult.In the [http://nomadwiki.org/en/Outback_(Australia) Outback], though, you may get more empty beer cans thrown at you than rides; some hitchhikers, however, wouldn't agree with that, stating that even hitchhiking through the desert can be pretty good, especially with the many trucks and 'road trains' that are usually going long distances. Because distances are so huge, people are used to drive driving several hundred kilometers and your driver are you will find drivers quite often offering to make a huge detour detours to bring take you somewhere.
==Australia Particular Advices-Specific Advice==
Australia poses some interesting and unique challenges for hitchhikers. Distances between populated areas can be vast, by far the majority of Australians live near the sea, with the majority of those living in the state capital cities. Temperatures can exceed 45 degrees Celsius in summer and go well below freezing in winter. In many ways Australia is an extreme environment, with some pretty extreme pests, people and weather; when it rains, it pours, when it blows up a gale, it howls. But in saying this when Australia or Australians smile upon you, the heavens open up from above and you can find yourself taken in, taken home, and for all practical purposes adopted for life.
As long as you remain on the main axes or smaller touristic tourist roads you don't have to worry more than in other countries and you can hitchhike as you usually do. Only remember to '''carry more water than you think you need''', temperatures and distances can be very above greatly exceed your expectations.As wellAlso, do not walk too far from towns as it may leave you somewhere very isolated.
Another advice tip that makes a bit more sense than for [[Europe]] for example, is to be very careful about not annoying your host, you . You could be thrown out of the vehicle by the irate driver 200km from the nearest town.
==The Outback==
But the most particular unique aspect while of hitching in Australia is the challenge of the Outback. There you can say that you are out of off the touristic beaten tracks and track, which gives a great feeling of emptiness. However some basic survival rules have to be observed as you might get stuck for some reason.For some, hitchhiking throughout the outback is easy. The people can be friendly, especially the aboriginal folks who would might have six people already jammed in a little car and still squeeze you in.
When going to the outback go to truck stops and talk to the “truckies” there. It is a good option as they are driving huge distances at once in places where not many cars pass by. Make sure the town you're going to HAS a truck stop, or you may be in trouble if you are dropped in the middle of the outback, which is similar to the middle of nowhere.
===What to be careful with in the Outback===
It is written in its own name! The outback is far from everything and "cities" can be very far from each other. What look to be a large town on the map can actually be a village with a dozen or less fewer houses. Some parts of the outback are so remote that you do not want to be get stuck out there by hitchhiking!
Definitely make sure you carry enough water AT ALL TIMES (3 liters per person/per day would be a minimum). It is very easy to get dehydrated under the Australian sun. If you can get decent water, all the better, but don't bank on it. Most bores are quite brackish tasting and roadhouse taps are heavily chlorinated -- here's to a good liter of fresh rainwater on a sunny 45 degree day!