ROAD TRIP AUSTRAIA OUTBACK 2025

DRIVING THE OUTBACK

Day One

Embarking on a long road trip is always thrilling and filled with anticipation of new experiences that await. This particular journey began with the first day of driving from within the State of Victoria and into South Australia, passing through Adelaide and beyond.

Road Trip Plan

The plan was to stop by interesting wayside sights and to avoid driving on country highways after dark. For safety, try to avoid night driving where the likelihood of wildlife collisions is increased. Night driving is also a risk for drivers with a greater chance of induced driver fatigue. Beginning in the winter month of May the weather was pleasant and cool, with the promise of warm and sunny days in central and northern Australia in the coming days.

A viewpoint many should share is to embark on and complete such a road trip in a safe manner. Anticipate great experiences and sights, but the key is that everyone returns home safely even if this means unforeseen delays. Do not compromise safety by trying to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, a major and unsettling event unfolded on this first day of the road trip.

Highway Blocked

Road Trip to the Outback

The plan was to arrive in the small roadside town of Dublin sixty km north of Adelaide for an overnight stay before nightfall. But due to unfolding circumstances this was unavoidable. Some thirty km before Dublin and up ahead and spread across the highway were emergency vehicles and their flashing lights. Police, fire brigade, ambulance, SES road rescue and a short line of stopped traffic. When joining the stopped vehicles, the scene was one of desperation for emergency personal to attend and evacuate occupants of an on the road multi vehicle accident.

Ambulance Helicopter

Very shortly an ambulance rescue helicopter arrived and attempted to land in a roadside paddock. Thick clouds of dust kicked up from the rotor blades made it unfeasible to land so the helicopter lifted up and circled around to land on the road centre about a hundred metres away. All the while traffic was backing up for many km or some miles. This section of straight two-lane freeway was separated from oncoming traffic by a wide centre divide. Television news reporters along with their camera operators were arriving and setting up camera's mounted on tripods. From a personal perspective nothing could be done but to wait on the road and hope for the best outcome to all people involved. No traffic was allowed through for near on two hours until rescue crews cleared the scene. One road lane was then opened for traffic to pass slowly through. Apparently, there were no fatalities at the scene. Although urgent life support was required on at least one person trapped in a vehicle and then lifted by air ambulance to an Adelaide hospital.

Dublin in South Australia

The accident delayed arrival time in Dublin until well after dark with no chance to get an idea of the lay of the land, so to speak, in the now gone fading light of day. Only one service station and one hotel remaining open with no meal service at this late hour anywhere in town. A prior decision was enacted upon to park overnight next to an area called Dublin Wayside Stop. The most practical and only choice considering the late hour and the unfamiliar area. Apparently, Dublin is home to the Giant Cockroach. This is an Australian 'Big Thing' displayed in a roadside Dublin paddock. The 'Cockroach' was at first shown in central Adelaide's Rundall Mall. The display is made of scrap metal and was constructed as part of a local protest against a federal government proposal to build a large waste dump in the Dublin area. Meant to publicly shame politicians of the time. Presently the structure is situated next to Port Wakefield Road, and passing traffic on the busy road can easily miss it.

Reflecting On The Day's Event

Happening upon the road accident on the first day of the road trip it was a sobering experience and reminder to all to do the right thing and to pay attention when driving. All need to remember to take regular driving breaks on long road trips. Road accidents not only adversely affect those directly involved but also connected families, emergency personal and witnesses. Respect the road laws and the roads driven upon. Stay safe and enjoy the open road.

Early the following day Andamooka was the next destination deep in Outback South Australia via Port Agusta. The drive under six hours from Dublin and a little over five hundred km away. Hopefully there will be no road trip Outback road delays in the days ahead. At least for a while.

Traveldriven

ENTER

DUBLIN

GOOGLE MAPS

INSTALLING THE DUBLIN

GIANT COCKROACH

DUBLIN SIGN AT A ROADSIDE REST AREA CALLED

'DUBLIN WAYSIDE STOP'

THE REST AREA HAS A SMALL GRASSED PARK,

PUBLIC BBQ, TOILETS & SHADED TABLES

THE PARK IS LOCATED ON SIXTH STREET & BECAME AN UNOFFICAL OVERNIGHT STAY

HIGHWAY ROAD ACCIDENT BEFORE DUBLIN

TV NEWS AND REPORTERS

AMBULANCE HELICOPTER LANDING

ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY

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