Tour operators

Hi there Richard & Leonie,

Firstly, I'm a tour operator - although niche small group tours in a 100 Series.

However, there is not much point complaining here and hoping that tour operators will listen, as the sort of operator you are talking about with Coaster and Troopies have high turnover of driver/guides and they probably don't frequent here.

They are delivering a budget product and the pressure is on the driver just to complete the itinerary in the time alotted - his customers on the other hand want to stretch it out. They want lots of time in each spot, etc.

Given the distances in Kakadu, this is especially a challenge here.

So, what can you do?

Well, they are licensed by National Parks in each State so note down the rego and company - if you see the actual vehicle later and can get the name of the driver, note that down, and call it in to National Parks as speeding, inconsiderate etc.

Eventually, and perhaps quite soon, they will find they get demerit points on their license !!! (yes - in most states) and they may have trouble renewing.

In the case of Kakadu, you will need to put the complaint into the park directly because it is Federally run in conjunction with the traditional owners.

As for arriving late - come on now! - anything after 3PM is late for you grey nomads! That is one thing you can ping my tours for - we usually arrive very late afternoon - set up then rack off for sunset somewhere; then up again for sunrise; back for brekky then outa there.

That said, we find the long stay campers make more noise than us with music, generators etc.

Ciao for now
Andrew.

I agree with 100% but to do something about, you would be fighting a loosing battle.

My experience has been a little different - we learn to fear vehicles with trailers.

Most of our damage has been from oncoming traffic pulling trailers to fast spewing stones out all over the place.
(Just got another two nice little dents from birdsville track,)

Its harder to prevent trailers from doing this as a proportion of stones bounce from car into trailer and are then cannoned forward.

but like all of these things we need to resist the temptation to "Ban all trailers"
and instead do what we can to promote better behaviour.

Robin Miller

I've only ever had real problems with one tour, and it wasn't the operator it was a passenger. He was one of a load of oldies on a tour of the Cape, and boy could he drink and play up. Noisy ? Give me a yobbo any day! Lovely bunch of coconuts indeed !!
And as I sat on the rocks above the Tip, he came running up from the bottom. The tour people were huffing and puffing behind. I asked them how old he was, "75".
Geez how does he do it I asked the operators. Dunno, they replied, but we wish he wouldn't !!

I have noted the same about tour operators.

I have also noted this about rental 4WD vehicles - they seem to be the fastest on the roads and only know how to drive in the centre of the road.

I shouldn't stereotype- there are probably some very good and considerate tour operators out there.

Richard & Leonie the simple answer is pull right over and stop. If you're not moving the damage is going to be minimal. You know who the culprits are and can see them coming.

I find around Alice the worst offenders are the tourists, I slow down and travel on the extreme left of the shoulder and time and time again the no idea tourists take it as an invitation to drive down the centre of the road. PITA

Same story with overtaking, if you're going to be overtaken don't take it as an insult, indicate your intention then pull over and slow down. Quick easy and painless but keep on down the middle at the same speed and you're going to get sprayed for a lot longer time.

I usually travel outback roads with a van on and when I see someone comming toward me at a great speed I just stay in the middle of the road or even a little to the right untill they slow down, than move right off to the left and stop. Hopfully they get the message.
Bob