I’ve been driving and
camping around Australia, Tasmania, and Texas for many many years, in slightly modified 2wd’s (more clearance, better
suspension, bit of engine work, LSD), travelling light with a small stove, small tent, small esky, small canoe.
A few years ago at the
places and roads I’d enjoyed I noticed increasing numbers of ‘softroaders’ (ie Foresters et al, and true [low-range gearboxed] 4wd’s but only set up/used for weekends) and their occupants. And why not, with these vehicles’ confidence-inspiring ability in rougher, lower-traction situations than tar ? Obviously people were doing what I’d done years earlier, just in different vehicles, and encouraged by vehicle manufacturers, ‘lifestyle’ TV, word of mouth, websites and so on.
Nothing wrong with all that, but enjoyment of my travels was diminishing in reverse ratio to the increase in other vehicles, because huge parts of my enjoyment were the isolation and solitude of the driving and
camping. Don’t get me wrong, my new companions were courteous and friendly enough, with pretty good low-impact
camp manners; I just wanted to be more, not less, alone, and regain the enjoyment of ‘exploring’.
So 6 months ago I bought a 99 Hilux traytop and a camper (Adventure – excellent !) to put on it, planning to go to the places/roads beyond the capacity of my former vehicles (and my courage). I gathered lots of information about the various aspects of true 4wd travelling and applied the bits I thought were appropriate for my
routes and budget. I occasionally read/heard negative stories about antisocial and irresponsible behaviour of some fellow 4wd folk, but put that down to ‘there’s always a few in every bunch’.
Now I think I may have made a poor decision by underestimating this negative behaviour, both in its impact and extent.
With five trips under my belt now, all of them to reasonably isolated locations requiring high-clearance and 4wd, I’m disappointed to report that my enjoyment of ALL the trips has been extensively diminished by:
- ‘Testosterone tracks’ near and around the campsites, seemingly ‘made’ to demonstrate vehicle/driver ability in mud and/or steep terrain. (Isn’t this what 4wd parks and competitions are for ?)
- A huge number of what some obviously consider to be ‘bush
toilets’, consisting of human faeces only just obscured by
toilet paper and a few leaves. (Don’t people have shovels ?)
- Loud, often aggressive behaviour – late night noise from music systems, vehicles being moved/driven/arriving very late.
- Rubbish. Lots and lots of it.
- Dogs everywhere. I really like dogs, but not when they seem about to leap into attack mode when I shoo them away from my food. (leashes, anyone ?)
- Sheer numbers, far too many for quiet enjoyment of the driving and the
camping.
Perhaps I have left the move too late, perhaps the days of lovely, quiet, almost deserted roads, tracks, and camps are now gone. Are there really only ‘a few bad apples’, or are the numbers now such that ‘the few’ are enough to affect everybody everywhere ? Have my experiences so far been atypical and are there better
places, travels, and less people to/in areas I haven’t tried yet ? Yes, I know I’ve only been a very short while at this, and so far only within 500km of
Sydney - Limeburners Flat, Yalwal/Tolwong, Bendethra/Deua,
Termeil Lake,
Bridle Track.
This website quotes some 444,000-odd readers – if that’s an indication of how many are planning or doing trips like
mine, then I fear that there are just too many people ‘out there’ (and as I said – why not ?) to allow the peace and isolation that I like so much ?
People (and you mob have huge collective experience at this), tell me – does it get better than this ? I sincerely hope so.
Cheers,
Nic "Still Hopeful" I