Texas calling Australia

donmurray · Apr 13, 2004

Is the first thousand miles the hardest, or the third? LOL

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2004

Actually the picture looks too green - usually it is drier and dustier than that!!

Love767 · Apr 14, 2004

I once attended a lecture by a woman who claimed to have traveled with a group of Aborigenies (I know that's not how it's spelled, but have no idea of the correct spelling) around most of the country. She described how they would let the flys enter their ears, nostrils, and every other body orifice in order to "clean" them out. Actually, maybe they didn't have any choice. I also read a book one time about a guy who walked accross the country from North to South (he had actually walked across most of the world and was just finishing up in Austrialia). He described spending time with gold prospectors around campfires, and in bars. It sounded like a good time although he too almost died. Has anyone ever walked around the outside perimeter of Austrialia? If not perhaps I could, keep a journal and then write a book about my experiences. Maybe I could even use my nursing skills to earn the occasional meal and shelter for the night. The only area that would really bother me is that place up North near Darwin where all the salties hang out. Come to think of it seems like there's a place down

South near the Great Australian Bight where Tiger snakes can be found on the beach (if I am remembering correctly I saw Steve Irwin sprinting to grab one before it could get away on the beach down there). I don't like snakes since I was bitten by a cottonmouth that slithered into my sleeping bag while camping in Virginia. My hope is that they will stay away from me if I stay away from them. Isn't there a train which runs from Melbourn to Perth? Maybe, I could walk along the tracks?

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2004

We have had quite a few circumnavigate the country but once again I will add you HAVE to know what you are getting yourself into. Australia is the same size as Mainland USA - so distances are comparable. We have a lot less population and it is more concentrated in the cities which means that there is vast tracts with no-one and nothing.

We have the longest roster of venomous snakes and some of our insects will also take you down and out. This means you have to be prepared to look after yourself where medical aide might be upwards of 4-6 hours away IF they know about you and IF the aircraft is available. Most of our early explorers went MIA and there is at least one person per year who gets lost/is neverfound again after walking in a national park. Even mobile phones do not help - many areas esp where you are going do not have mobile phone coverage.

What I am trying to say is that yes it is do-able but it is very very dangerous and you absolutely HAVE to know what you are getting yourself into. It is NOT like taking a walk along a well established walking trail. If I did it I would follow the main highways - that way I would at least have a chance of getting help when I needed it.

Grace Oz · Apr 14, 2004

Gwenith, Will you desist posting photos of your bloody back yard!!!:rotfl:

And, what happened to the water restrictions? I thought you had them in Qld too! You're right, that pic is TOO GREEN!! :chuckle

jayna, RN · Apr 15, 2004

Gwenith, Will you desist posting photos of your bloody back yard!!!:rotfl:
And, what happened to the water restrictions? I thought you had them in Qld too! You're right, that pic is TOO GREEN!! :chuckle

Hahahha, yeah that pic is too green.

My friend once went to the desert and they had no water so they have to dig through the sands and dried soil to get water underground.

newgrad2004 · Apr 15, 2004

i always wanted to visit OZ. I think the accent is so awesome especially the men :) I love looking at photos and dreaming of visiting there one day! Thanks for all the info on the living and work there. We californians like to party too! But it is very expensive here, not so much where I live but in the cities.