Has anyone else had problems with locals?

LOL,, yes they stand there with spear and shields. LOL

Hi AnneMarie,
funnily enough we started our trip around Oz from Tom Price. Went up to Karratha and followed the coast, travelling anti clockwise, now in Brisbane. Admittedly its a different route to yours. We have free camped in our Landcruiser all but about 10 nights since November 08. Have not had any troubles at all.
From my experience, the stories you have been told are far from common, however, I havent yet travelled the route you are suggesting. Dont let heresay put you off having a good time.
Good luck

Dan

Anne Marie
We have travelled for a very long time in the outback and we have never had any problems at all, touch wood. People often claim to hear stories like this, but when it come to find the true facts, it is often a different story. If this was true, what part of our great country did this happen? and if this was a true story, it would have been very terrifying for those concerned.

Cheers

Stephen

AnneMarie,

We have travelled on the roads you are talking about from the Pilbara to Alice Springs and had no problems at all. We did come across one group on the road and we stopped to see if we could help. They were friendly and we talked for a while then left as there was nothing we could do for them.

At night, when we camped well off the road, we didn't even hear another vehicle, let alone have someone come and attack us.

I don't know of any situations like you mention. Don't be fearful. Your trip should be a happy adventure. It's great country out there.

Viv

AnneMarie

Mostly scare-mongering by people who have an agenda!

I have stopped and always stop for 'locals' and have never had a problem. But troubles have happened in the past.

Best thing is to find a camp at least 500 metres to a kilometre off the road so that your firelight does not attract attention.

Cheers

We were flagged down on the Great Central Road by a man whose Landcruiser had run out of diesel some distance east of Laverton, where people were gathering for NAIDOC week. He had walked some way back from the car where other family members waited. It was a hot morning to be out walking. He asked for diesel but we didn't carry any spare. I offered to seek help for him when we reached Laverton but he declined the offer. He asked if we had water so i cheerfully gave him a bottle of water from our fridge. The family later flagged us down, and we said we had spoken to their driver.

We have also been conned out of our jerry can of ULP (for the generator) along the Nullabor - the man said they needed just a few litres to get them home, but emptied the whole lot into their car. At least we saw it go into the car. Really, on the scale of a trip to Tasmania is was a very minor cost.

On the WA side, all locals smiled and waved at us, whereas on the NT side they looked sad and did not respond to a greeting or wave.

This year we will travel through the desert country into NT and bush camp with confidence.


Motherhen

The stories that you here are generally just stories. If they were any more than that they would be headlines in the tabloids at least. Old Mick who used to run Carranya when it was a roadhouse used to tell yarns like this all the time. It was all BS but we met many travellers who believed it and, like you, were a little terrified. People like that get off on the crap they spread and they repeat it so many times, they actually believe it themselves.

Just remain alert, helpful, friendly and you'll be fine. The ones you would have had trouble with are behind bars, 3 come to mind easily, and they were not "locals".

AnneMarie,

on one of the caravan forums there was mention of an incident like this, but it happened on the outskirts of a country town in NSW. That's probably where incidents like you describe are more likely to occur: on the outskirts of towns, and not limited to any particular group of people. This is where you are more likely to have the combination of alcohol, hoon behaviour etc.

However, as two girls travelling alone you are right to ask the question.

I don't want to take the Thread off on a tangent, but I didn't think you were rude.

cheers

I've come across women on their own in very remote locations a few times. None have expressed any safety worries about the locals or other travellers.
Mind you one young lady was worried about the camels that rampaged through their camp the night before :))
I was told the story of a couple of o/s ladies in a Britz who couldn't change a tyre on a community road that they thought was a shortcut. A car full of locals pulled up to ask if they were Ok, and they locked themselves inside in terror ! Wouldn't come out until they saw a white face :))
With few exceptions the locals are going to leave you alone. As Willem said, the exceptions can be got around by using common sense. Camping either in town or off the track where you can't be spotted after dark.
I have always stopped for locals in need , and never felt put upon or in any danger.

Not all stories are BS! Four years ago we were passed by a LC travelling extremely fast whilst out on bush on dirt roads. We drew up behind said LC parked on a narrow creek crossing well east of Old Halls Creek. We waited several minutes as there were people (aboriginals) in the vehicle.

After waiting we assumed they did not realize we were there and gave a polite toot.

Driver door flew open, a very drunk and aggressive aboriginal stood screaming abuse, then ripped open rear offside passenger door and rumagged around then produced a large martial arts style knife and continued to threaen us waving the knife.

We reversed with our camper trailer some 20 feet and sat with all the doors locked. He eventaully ran out of steam and tore off down the road. Fortunately for him he did not advance towards our vehicle.

There was a woman and small children in the car - it was a government vehicle and it was Sunday.

Full statement made to the Halls Creek police - result zilch!

When I followed uo several days later. The police stated they had contacted the driver who stated they were out hunting bush tucker and had shown the police a small sheath knife.

I think the bush-tucker was EMU - many cans by the state he was in. So it does happen - albeit very very rarely and it could have just as easily been a drunken white person. We still spend most of our time out bush camping - now with a Bushtracker van with no problems at all.

B-T

Hi AM, put a couple of blue and white checkered decal strips along both sides of the car, a set of blue and red rotating beacons on the roof [not operational], a number or two somewhere on the bodywork and you'll be fine.

Even if they haven't done anything, 'locals' run a mile as soon as they see this type of vehicle...lol.

Cheers.....Lionel.

We did a similar trip a while back now and did have 2 guys try to wave us down for petrol just outside a settlement No car just a cordial bottle for fuel. We kept going. Some days later we came across a family stuck beside the road an Older Aboriginal couple and some young kids kids with a flat tyre. We stopped and helped change the tyre as they were having problems. While I changed the tyre they brewed up a billy of tea we chatted for a while over billy tea and biscuits and off we both went.

It has been my experience that Aboriginals are the same as people everywhere. Most are good some are great and a few are just bad bastards.

Be careful but don't let it stop you from doing things.

Hi Anne Marie

I travel regularly on my own - yes single girl - exploring our country.

Common sense prevails in these situations.

I usually camp at least 1 hr from any major town where possible - as it's usually too far for the bored ones (usually the local kids) to come and harass you.

Truck stops although can be noisy - are great if you don't feel safe but need to stop for the night. The Truckies seem to take on this "I'll protect you" attitude if you're female. I've met so many great Truckies.

I"ll stop if I see someone on the side of the road who appears to be having trouble. Why? Because it has been me before and if everyone thought the worst of everyone- I'd probably still be stranded!

You can usually suss if a situation doesn't look or feel right. Trust your instincts. If you're not sure - keep the doors locked and windows up and just crack one window enough to talk to whoever it is you've stopped for. Then if it's not right - hold it flat!

Hey - it's all just an adventure - be positive and enjoy.

:-)

Annemarie
get asked the same thing all the time.....i know the way you are going ...as said by others .stay at least 40/50 k ms out of town.there's some nice large overnight parking bays (for caravans and campers)NOT the truck bays.......along the way.....you wouldn't be alone on the road as these are very well used by travellers . if there's non in ith area were you are.........assuming your pulling up before dark.....take a look there's many places you can pull of the road in behind trees and bushes...........not far of the road but good enough not to be seen .....and close enough if you have a breakdown.....myself have not had any incidents .but it always pays to be prepared...
lock everything and just be aware .but enjoy it


Bundy

Hi Everyone,
as stated in several comments above, people are people, good and bad, where ever you go.

If you come across a camping area and there are a lot of bottles and cans lying around... don't stop, move on.

Where possible, park well away from the road, have a good time; enjoy the trip; use common sense and you will be fine.
All the best.

Hi Anne Marie,

We had a forced stop at Warakurna while on our recent road trip. There were a lot of Aboriginals passing by us while I was working on the Cruiser and Sally was reading her book. It is all give and take IMO and Sally smiled and waved as people passed ...... smiles and waves in return. We had more than a few approach us to chat during our time there and there was no time that we/she felt threatened. We didn't have any problems while on our trip, though we did choose our campsites with care and others have given similar advice.

As mentioned above, problems can occur with any type of "local" though how you present to them (for want of better wording) is no less important.

Hope this helps and enjoy your trip.

Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.

We heard the same story a couple of years ago when we went up through the centre from Pt Augusta to Alice and beyond, just after we had started free camping. Think it mat be a 'myth' maybe perpetuated by caravan park owners keen to keep their places packed with travellers!

We (a couple in late 50's in c'van) freecamped through much of Qld last year and never had a problem, currently in SA and doing it now - will be for the next 5 months through WA. We dont camp near to towns usually and try to find somewhere hidden from the road if it isnt a designated 'rest area'.
We try to leave no trace of our stay apart from tyre tracks.

Its a great way to see the country, especially the more remote places - experience the starry skies all alone, the silence ....


Enjoy your trip and relax!

Heather

Call me over cautious, but, two women travelling alone, anywhere, can be vulnerable.

Have you considered taking a nasty looking mongrel dog with you?

It will, however, restrict where you can go.

Cheers,

Jim.

Hi Annemarie,as Richard said,you will be safe, but your loose goods may not be. On our last trip we had trouble with the local aboriginals in Tennant Creek,the owner of the van park,aboriginal herself, advised us to take the courtesy bus and not to walk to the club,for very good reason as it turned out, the "locals" went beserk from 11pm till sunrise. In Alice Springs the "locals"came thru the campgrounds the night we were there,our dog alerted me at 3am and I watched as they entered the gazebo next to our camp,I went out with the axe handle and chased them off,they ran like hell,leaving behind a trail of wine casks and beer cans they had stolen, and some very nervous campers. We free camped for the rest of our trip and no worries ,sadly it is a problem in some places

My wife & I have been travelling since 1990.

During this time we have never experienced any problems, though I know of two incidents and I consider the sources reliable.

One was in a rest area west of Katherine when a man and his partner had a domestic dispute, where people had to intervene, and the other was in Tennant Creek, where the victim was silly enough to park his mobile home in the town. During the night some of the locals banged on the side of his vehicle, and a dispute ensued.

We are careful where we stay on the road, never within 20 km of a town or community, and always try to get somewhere with company.

And of course we have 'Tarlee', who likes to sleep near the van door.Image Could Not Be Found

Sometimes 'locals' tend not to like dogs, even one as useless as ours, but they don't know do they?

Try staying in Caravan Parks on the coast and you will see how friendly the locals are, and by locals I mean all comers. They take great delight in stealing anything that is not bolted down from the tourists.

Last year at one mile beach we lost an esky full of grog and the number plates off our car.

Hopefully Harrington will be a little friendlier but I am told the locals are friendly there as well so again I will be having to lock up....lol

The old saying that you cant judge a book by its cover comes to mind ,however some of the places you will travel through you CAN judge by the barred and boarded up windows and doors , the barbed wire atop the 8ft fence around the school grounds and the rubbish everywhere , let common sense guide you , if it looks like an area that the locals have no respect for move on.

AnneMarie

"incidents" in australia are not that rare and public knowledge of them is dependant on our government sponsored "tourist friendly image".

The incidents are not of the american type, commonly acted out in front of a handheld digital camera and touted as quality home movie entertainment .....

It is normally cases of vehicle damage or theft, loss of personal items/funds or intimidation ... all much more acceptable than Warner Bros Movieworld, hillbilly, cannabilism tales.

Take heed of advice / info already offered and remember that in some areas ... the closer to "civilisation" you are .. the less civilised it is likely to be ....

As for locals .... yep ... black, white or brindle ... there are dregs of society in all cultures.

Get out and ENJOY your trip.

Rather than going 'off topic' with photography talk, I have started another thread here:

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/67338/Taking_photos.aspx

Cheers and thanks,
Anne-Marie

Hi again AnneMarie,

I have finally thrown some rough pics up on flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/blazesport/ they are mainly taken with my old camera, I will have to do some with the new one also, also I will get to naming them soon.. LOL when I find the time. Just thought you may like a look

Cheers