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The
roads are good, distances long
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Driving
in Australia is very easy. The roads are usually fairly straight and
wide, and the sealed
ones of good quality. Different from Norway, the road markings are all
white. It can be a bit confusing, driving in busy town traffic
with two or more lanes carrying vehicles in the same direction. But if
you take your time and don’t stress, you’ll be alright. Driving on
the left hand side of the road is no probem if you're on a
motorcycle as you are sitting in the ‘middle of’ the
vehicle and the technicalities of a bike are the same
whichever side of the road you ride on. |
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Me and
my dusty friend More... |
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Driving
a local car takes a bit of practice, but soon you are as comfortable as
back at home. Just don’t get yourself into emergency situations where
you have to rely on your reflexes, your old ways are still there…
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Dark
nights and grazing wildlife
Australia
is a continent with long distance country roads and a lot of nocturnal
wildlife. In most places the topography and sparse vegetation give you
plenty of time to spot grazing animals along the roads in daylight. But
due to the heat during the days, a lot of animals come out to feed after
the sun has gone down or before it rises. Dusk and dawn are the most
critical times for road accidents, and on a motorcycle at speed it can
be lethal to hit even the smallest of rodents. So a good rule is not to
ride after dark, certainly if you need to travel at some speed. |
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The
nights are dark in OZ |
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The
kangaroo carcasses that you see on he road sides here and there should
give you sufficient warnings to be careful. So should all the cars, of
all types and sizes, that carry bullbars. (A bit amusing sometimes –
ever seen a Beetle with a bullbar?) So take an early night, get some proper rest and have an efficient ride
the next day. Then you also get to enjoy the scenery.
Speed-limits
The
speed-limit is 110 on the highways, and most Australians seem to be
happy with that, despite the good roads. I didn’t meet many cars
chasing along at higher speed. In Northern Territory there is no formal
speed-limit, but if you go too fast, a road patrol might still stop you
and ask a few questions. So don’t push it; travel at a speed that is
comfortable, - and safe - for both you and your vehicle.
Road-trains
 Road-trains
can be an intimidating factor for travellers. They are huge trucks with
up to 4 trailers, and can in length be up to 53,5 metres long.
When you meet them on a motorcycle, don't flee to the left hand side of
the road. Just stay firmly in the middle of your lane, and as they pass
you, lean slightly to the right, as their wind can push you outwards.
If you are already on the left hand side of the road, you could end up
in the ditch!
They cannot go faster than 100 km/h, but because of their length, you
have to be careful when overtaking. Make sure you have plenty of
straight road ahead before you try to get past them.
If you meet road-trains on dusty, dry roads, it could be wise to stop,
or at least slow right down when they pass. Do not try to overtake them
under these conditions, they hurl up an amazing amount of sand and dust!
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If you forget to fill petrol in your own hometown, you can always visit
the next petrol-station a couple of kilometres down the road. Not so in
the outback. There the next petrol-station might be 200 kilometres down
the road! Which illustrates the vast distances you are travelling when
driving in the outback. |
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Drowsy
(and cold) drivers die
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Australian roads can go on for
hundreds of kilometres through quite monotonous landscapes. Make sure you stop and take breaks at frequent intervals to
aviod risk of falling asleep at the wheel or end up in the other lane.
The road authorities have put up pretty blunt reminders here and there
to make you think. One of them is 'Fatigue is fatal.' They are there
for a reason. |
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To
make it easier for you to find a suitable place to stop, there are rest
areas along the roads where you can park your car, and sit down at
tables provided under shady roofs. Use them.
One
day I spent 7 hours sitting at a steady speed of 140 km/h. Now,
on a bike you never sit comfortably enough to get completely relaxed or
drowsy, but it is still very important to take breaks. I tried to stop
at every roadhouse or petrol-station to top up the tank, but also to
stretch my legs. I can remember one time having to really concentrate on getting
off the bike without dropping it, - I was so stiff! This was down South,
so the low temperature had cooled me right down. I only had one thought
in my head: A large glass of port and a hot shower!
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