TV and travel

But why is it so dumb?

Should Willem know that on the Simpson trip Channel 7 would be using a Tru-Pol with a geared tray 6x4 running .3 soft edge ND grad, white balanced through a quarter blue? Or that the WS would push in to a MS, craned on the jib arm and pipe dolly doing a l to r Mickey Rooney? No? then why should some bloke from St Kilda know about the Simpson Desert?

Would Willem know what the toll is on the Cahill Expressway? I bet the 10,000 motorists stuck behind him on the bridge at peak hour would be shaking their heads at his incomprehensible ignorance while he fumbles around for exact change in the glovebox. See what I mean?

He's a TV weather man. He's not an outback touring expert, he is a suburbanite getting out and about. Good on them. Probably the first time plenty of viewer's would have ever seen footage of the Simpson.

Spot on! Couldn't agree more! :-D 'nuff said really!

Scoey!

It's dumb because he's not the average Joe Blo. TV shows have an army of people who are paid to do background research etc. Now if I were going to do a job arm and pipe dolly bit of work, I'd have to make sure that my hoozy didnt end up in my whatsee, especially if I'm on national TV at the time. Right ? So, enter my little helpers. If they let me make statements such as "the knee bone's connected to the toe bone" then it's pretty dumb, is it not ?

Don't know the toll on the Story Bridge ? (and how many of you dont know where it is , eh ?). Well I mean its not a national icon, not part of our culture or history is it ? You probably havent had to pay it recently. Anyway, its not a constant.
But the Simpson, Lake Eyre etc etc etc aren't just bits of knowledge. They are part of what makes this country what it is geographically. They're there, on a map.
Maps, features, weathermen. Get it ?

Ok so maybe what I've written is dumb also. But I'm not getting paid to write it for an audience :)))))))))))

Toll on the Story Bridge???? Not as of this morning abyway ;-p

But my point was that the Sydney Harbour Bridge IS far, far more of an Australian icon (hate that word BTW) than the Simpson Desert ever will be, yet I don't think Willem would be ridiculed by everyone here if he didn't know much about it. (not saying he doesn't BTW, just he started the original post) Put the shoe on the other foot is what I'm saying.

I don't really mind either way, but I didn't see what's so outrageous about someone not knowing much about the Simpson. It's virtually uninhabited (compared to the coast) and has no real reason to be in anyone's general knowledge apart from the fact 0.01% of the population enjoy driving across it. He's probably indicative of 90% of the population. I don't see any reason for all the condemnation.

I know stuff all about the Riverina region, wouldn't expect to cop a pasting about it though if I went there. Wouldn't have a clue about Brisbane either.That's why you visit places. Be pretty boring if there was nothing to discover wouldn't it?

Frankly I enjoyed seeing the footage. Wish I was there myself.

"But my point was that the Sydney Harbour Bridge IS far, far more of an Australian icon (hate that word BTW) than the Simpson Desert ever will be"
Not if you live in Birdsville.

How many Australians have never heard of 99% of the rest of Australia I wonder?
Not many, its there on the TV. But at least we know that the Simpson Desert is flat (!).

It's a real divide, isn't it. The gap between urban dweller and anywhere west of the Blue Mountains.
They're flat too, aren't they ? :))))))))))))))

That's exactly my point Footie. Not many viewers, advertisers or television presenters in Birdsville is there? That's why it's not too high on the researchers priority list.

Unfortunately you are so very right about the majority of Australians knowing bugger all about their own country. Remember that contary to the romantic notion of the 'bush' in our culture, we live in one of the most urbanised nations on the planet. 80% within 100km's of the coast of something like that from memory (ahhh...furry at best).

Having spanned the city / country 'divide' my entire working life, I do see a big difference. This manifests itself in all manner of ways politically and socially. I lived in Sydney for a while and was astonished that only time WA ever made the news was for a murder. Country WA may as well not even exist.

If segments like this offer a chance for urban Australians see a bit more of our country and raises awareness, I guess it's a good thing to a certain extent. Hopefully they won't be moved to head out there for a look see. Too busy as it is.

Mr V8 Diesel, how spot on,
The places we would go in our holdens surfing 20 odd years ago, sometimes the only cars that would get thru were the combi's.
Dean

Well said Mr Diesel.

I agree with V8Diesel,
I guess i have travelled most places around this country, at one time or other, with the most basic of equipment, and in a lot of cases, a vehicle that was little more than stock standard. I must admit, I have advanced from the tent and camp bed, but even so, did not spend a lot of money in the process!
For the newbie to the site, it is somewhat intimidating to read about all the expensive 4x4's, expensive add-ons, and so forth, and often wonder why folks tend to gear up for extreme remote travel, with all of the problems that come with it! Sure, I admit there are those who are able to afford the expense, and indeed, have a love of getting to those remote, out-of-the-way places, and to them I say good on ya! However, there are those too who don't have the money to spend on all that beaut gear, and only have the basic in vehicle and camping equipment, but want to see as much as they can with what they can afford. The other thing is, one really does not have to travel through those remote, dangerous areas in order to see the country. Australia is such that most places can be reached/travelled in reasonable comfort and safety. Just a comment, folks, and ceretainly not saying anything against those who enjoy challenges or remote travelling. What ever turns you on, I guess. Just want to say that travel and sight-seeing around this wonderful country can be done for a reasonable expenditure, one really does not have to go to the extremes to enjoy it.
Anyway, whatever is your go,...enjoy!
Bronco

V8 Diesel

We started off with a Nissan Pintara sedan, two man tent, some folding chairs, a table, and the bare minimum of other gear. It was enough and we had a ball. That was our first trip to the NT and we definitely were'nt campers before then. How quickly we got hooked and gradually added better gear. Still, though I think that you don't need every whizz bang thing that there is on the market. As long as what you have does the job you want..and even better if it's multi purpose.

All I wanted to say about the tv travel shows is that they make travel seem out of the reach of the normal bloke.... and it's not. I realise they are not aimed at that market, but every now and then it would be refreshing to see a program that was.

Birdsville in S.A. ?????? better tell premier pete that Qld. has finally had a reverse population shift !! LOL.

Broken Hill might be on SA time and have 08 phone numbers but it pays taxes in NSW too!

Birdsville = Qeensland.

Hi Dougy old boy!

I knew you were just revving me up, so I just let it go. I'm in such a good mood after our trip, it's hard to get out of neutral at the moment.

Yep, as I mentioned in Willem's Thread, I f**ked up. I admit it!....I'm a D**k Head!

Vivien has posted a very good topic though. You don't need much apart from the basic camping gear to enjoy a good holiday in the bush.

On the other hand, having additional goodies can make your stay in remote areas, that much more comfortable, even though one of my toys tells me that Mungerannie is in the NT:-)

As one accumulates different camping gear and tows a trailer of some kind to stow it in, it allows one to be totally self contained. I have wandered off with the shovel and did my business without any problems, but now, because I can, I prefer to take along a portable chemical toilet. It's more comfortable for the family and creates less impact to the environment, even though one may burn their paper afterwards.

I have very little idea how much of the 60 litre water tank I used on our trip, but it serviced 4 people for 8 days and I didn't need to touch the other 40 litres in two Jerri cans I also took. But if poop happened, I had adequate reserves. That was my choice, and the Cobb Cooker was used for 3 roast dinners, again my choice.
The Versalite provided great lighting around the camp site and the Thumper powered the light and the Engel fridge and the solar cell provided sufficient re-charging of the battery, all without any dramas.
But, then again, my Jack is 6 years old and my Camper is second hand, although it serves us well, so we can afford some of the other gadgets that we don't need, but make our camping trips more "complete".

Vivien, you have certainly make a valid point in the way that travel in Australia is presented by the commercial TV stations and outback travel is anything but what they project. One can only assume they have to appease all the advertisers and promote their "6 star" luxury resorts that they have set up at places like Uluru, for those who just cant "get down and get dirty".

Overall, we each know which method of travel and accommodation we each prefer and enjoy our outback experiences in one way or another. The important thing afterall, is to get out there and DO IT!

Matt, when I crossed the Simpson in the 80's, even the locals considered me slightly mad !
I can remember camping in Broome and not needing to book.
I can remember roadside stops where you were the only people there overnight.
I can remember that few people had heard of the Bungles.
I can remember the Corner Country in late December with no air con (not a great memory that one).
I can remember when strangers in country towns were outsiders not cash cows.
Geez, I can even remember the old cattle cars in Brisbane.

Pity I can't remember yesterday too well.

So true!!!!

I remember driving to Kununurra in an old 2A ex-army Landie with mate in the mid 80's. Went bush from Marble Bar through Goldsworthy etc. Nobody around except for the locals. We didn't even register the vehicles - no point. Shot or caught our own meat for dinner, bleep the whole time - totally feral after the first month. Golden days.

We did a couple of trips to the Kimberley in an old Bedford J5 with lounge chairs roped on to the back. Did another trip up there in an old LHD 2 litre petrol Unimog they bought for a song. 45kmh max. I've got a few pics somewhere, should post them up some day.

Hey V8, did ya have Cherryl with ya ? (You know, Feral Cherryl heheheh)

Nope ;-(((( Just 'Tuppy' the dog (which got a few smiles from those in the know:-))

Got to build myself a time machine one of these days. Life's not the same any more.

You are so right ! And neither are we (dammit !). Remember reading of your exploits somewhere, getting done by the local cop who slapped your wrists etc etc . Can't remember where I read it.

It would be very interesting to get you blokes around the same campfire!! What great yarns you could tell!!

Viv

Vivien, that's the scariest thought I've seen posted today ! :)))))))))

Just had a bit of a shuffle through the old shoe box of photos.

Found a few shots of the 'good old days'. Have to work out how to post them next.......I wouldn't hold your breath;-) Even found a pic of the 'scene of the crime' out the side of Broome cop shop about 20 years ago.

Have to catch up for beverage at some stage that's for sure.

Hello Beatit, was just reading away here and then thought I better get in to stand-up for the locals. NOT ONE LOCAL WAS INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE RUBBISH SHOWN ON CH 7 TODAY (YESTERDAY OR TOMORROW) - I am very pleased to add. Very important, knowing people came from all over the place - the first LOCALS knew of it was when other people started arriving and demanding to know why said LOCALS didn't know anything about it, or when travellers who were following said 'caravan' of important people made it to town and reported on what was happening 'out there', Very interesting reading all the comments in the two Posts today. Off to get a campfire ready for Roast Lamb and all the vegies - very cold here today as well - need a wind break tonight at the campfire. Way more interesting than all the hyperbole and rubbish that Birdsville, locals, residents and visitors have had to endure for the past 24 hours.
Stephen L's trip which finished yesterday will give EO people much more pleasure to read and enjoy believe me. More factual - and not staged in anyway. Look out for it.

Ruth, was the aboriginal lady that painted the picture frame for them not a local?

Shaker, that's Fiona, my next door neighbour - very talented artist with textiles as well. She comes from Lake Nash.
No locals were contacted until after they arrived in Birdsville - all organising was done via Alice Springs.

Hi Ruth,

Now you know I would never be having a go at you and if the silly buggers had asked you I know they would have got the best advice. Just shows how incompetent their researchers are in my view - Alice Springs would not have been my first choice for info!

I hope you had a good camp fire and a good roast. I'll look forward to Stephen L's report.

Kind regards

Theo

Hi joc45,

Exactly why I don't watch the likes of The Great Outdoors & Getaway, no comparison to the wide open spaces of the "Outback" and getting away from it all, not to mention better value for money.

Sharyn

I got it, Troy Dan. knew I would remember it after hitting submit post.

Ben Darke was great..he seemed like a knockabout bloke. Troy Dann was ok until he put on the thong!! His sister, forgot her name, but will never forget her singing!! She was so full on but good fun to watch. Alby Mangels, what a character...I remember one episode where they were driving on a big open stretch like a big paddock..with only one steel post in it..and Alby managed to hit the post. Sort of like hitting the only tree on One Tree Plain. Of course Alby had the added attraction of Judy Green and various other gorgeous girls he just happened to have along on the trip with him. Whatever happened to Alby? Troy Dann started up a Pro Bull Riding thing...with Troy Dunn the bull rider from Queensland and a couple of others.

At least shows like those gave us a look at places and made us think that we could go out and see them for ourselves.

Troy Dan; didn't they name a drink after him?
Alby Mengels; how did those blonde bimbos of his survive the the blazing sun, panthers, anacondas, bunyips, et al, in those bikinis?

Hello Navaraman,

It's true that these shows appeal to a lot of viewers. However if they could give equal consideration to all types of holidays and tastes it would be refreshing to see some segments on holidays that aren't as upmarket and expensive.

I agree that it would be boring if we all wanted the same things and I've got nothing against a week end at a health retreat in Daylesford, or a trip overseas for that matter. A bit of luxury every now and then doesn't hurt at all. But, my family have grown and so it's easier to do the more costly things.

What I was saying is that the focus is strictly away from the average family holiday.

regards

Viv