tourists rescued

great outcome, at least they were semi prepared, wonder why the Toy was on its side in this ugly situation.

love those germans they get to see more of the out of the way spots than you averadge EO reader. They have a tv show that specializes in getting out to spots you dont find in the tourist brochures and the national 4by mags dont visit. I stopped off at Juranda rockhole (heard of it? - didnt think so!) and came accross 2 seperate german tourists having a go. Just 2 days ago i had a call from Berlin wanting to know if my camper was still for sale. They cop flack for getting bogged but i just love their attitude

While going into Leonard Gorge in June this year we got behind some Germans in a rented Hilux with camper on back.Going down into the car park is quite steep and rough and these people got stuck going down(yep down)we waited and watched as they proceded to rip off two mud flaps,dent the door and spend 15min trying to get out.When they finally got out,we (6 vehicles)drove straight to the car park,had a quick look at the Gorge and got out of there before they tried to drive out.

I find that German tourists are fine as long as you don't mention the war.(..)

hi,
European vistors seem keen on EPIRBs rather than sat phones. The disadvantage as I see it is that somebody, usually in an aircraft has to first ascertain the nature and position (there are not that accurate) of the emergency, mechanical medical or what, before a ground party gets sent in. With a sat phone a tow or rescue could have been effected by any number of individuals or organisations without it being at pubic expense.
We should encourage the use of sat phones over EPIRBs and have hire companies provide a list of emergency numbers even if they have to ring in to get them.

Very recently, an English tourist, in search of adventure, chose to take an old station track west from Adminga (south of Charlotte Waters on the western Simpson Desert) alone, on tracks not used for 20 years, to head for Tieyon Station and the Stuart Highway. He ended up with more punctures than tyres without the means to repair them. He was rescued at his expense, but he had a sat phone. He might have made some dumb decisions but he had access to the communications to get help without the cost of an overflight in an area short on resources. This tourist had access to detailed topographical maps that marked tracks but didn't ask permission or advise from the station owners or locals. This problem will probably get worse with detailed version of Google Earth suggesting existence of tracks in remote areas. Just because they exist doesn't mean you can.
Everybody wants visitors to enjoy the country but it doesn't take much for a trip to turn to s*** for the ill equipped.
Regards
Ian at Mt Dare