Wicked Camper on the A1 Highway
I’m exhausted.
I left Tiaro at about 7:15am, stopped for pie and fuel at Gin Gin around 10am, stopped to nap at 12:20pm, and stopped for more pie and fuel at around 3pm (but this time I only got the pie because I really needed to pee and their washroom was for customers only). It’s now 6:30pm and I’m in the middle of nowhere smack in the middle of Rockhampton and Mackay.
I’ve never driven this much in one day and I’ve certainly never spent ~$90 on fuel in one day either. I tried to stay within the 80-90km zone all the way through because that’s when the Wicked Camper is most fuel efficient, but when it started to get dark and I wasn’t even close to the next city or gas station, I tried to keep up with the speed limit (110km/hr).
Wicked Road Trip Road Kill Count: 4 Kangaroos, 7 Wallabies and 40+ unknown / other (I think one was a dingo). I stopped counting after 40 because there were stretches of highway where you’d see something dead every 5m. I am now road kill desensitized. Well, ok I admit the last kangaroo was a bit of a scare ’cause he was really big and all I could see was his bottom half sticking out of the bush (and I could tell he was a “he” if you know what I mean).
All along the highway, you’ll see signs with sayings like “Stop Revive Survive” — all the signs rhyme. If you’re on a road trip and having trouble staying alert, please stop and take a break. Here are some tips on how to stay alert:
Tips for Road Tripping Travellers to Stay Alert
- Take a cat nap (10 — 15 minutes)
- Wash your face
- Go for a walk to get some fresh air (one of the reasons you can get tired is lack of oxygen)
- Eat or drink something sweet (I had a chocolate mini muffin washed down with Sarsparilla)
- Keep yourself hydrated (baking in the car under the sun can make you drowsy)
- Drink coffee or tea for the caffeine
- Take a moment to find a station on the radio with music that will keep you awake (remember to stop first)
Another way I tried to stay awake was to pretend I was the A1 Highway Serial Bug Killer. Anny Chih. Wanted. Plowed down dozens of bugs of all shapes and sizes on the killing spree of 2009. Be alert bugs! She doesn’t discriminate! *dun dun duuuunnnnn*
Can you tell I’m tired? 
I’m going to bed now… Goodnight!
“…stopped for pie and fuel.…stopped for more pie and fuel…”
MORE PIES??? Gad…
I remember when I was a little’un, the family drove up north to visit some relatives. When we stopped at the petrol station, I was amazed by the number of bugs splattered across the car. Then I saw the radio antenna– some bugs managed to hit the tiny antenna! I told dad that those were “really unlucky bugs”. Dad smiled, pointed to the veeeeerrrrry top of the antenna where it was really skinny and said, “Well how unlucky do you think these suckers were??”
It’s good that we got a photo of you in that wanted poster, eh? Looks like it’s needed after all!
LOL
Oh man, I would normally feel bad for the suckers, but I’m really not a fan of Australian bugs after all the biting they’ve been doing lately. It’s like they think I’m a 24 hour all you can eat buffet!
Hey, I love the stop revive and survive campaign. I was really bad in my college years– I used to drive home in the wee hours after working in the theatre, microsleeps they call them– the only reason I’m lucky enough to not be dead is cuz it was usually 2-3am!
So my 2-month US-Canada road trip was a big worry. I found two things really helped: 1. I really avoided driving after dark. I think this was a factor in college. And in Oz you’ve noticed there’s extra fauna reasons to not to so. 2. I always have a variety of food and munchies in my car. You can get a blue Woolie’s or Cole’s cooler for $3 to put next to the driver’s seat to keep food cool. But I found that the action of eating kept me DOING something, eating things kept me awake. Especially switching foods.
And yeah, the roadside naps. I usually didn’t set an alarm though, just slept til I woke up, sometimes over an hour. Better late than dead!
Luck! Stay safe!
Debbie
Yes, I have a cooler in the front seat too with pop (otherwise known as carbonated beverages) and snacks.
Thanks Debbie!
I am getting worried about Anny again…is she direct messaging anyone?
No need to worry William! I’m safe and sound and having a great time
Excellent Anny!
I see the reason for your loss of signal:
“# I’m at Airlie Beach right now. I was going to blog last night but there’s no phone / internet reception where I’m staying.
about 14 hours ago from TweetDeck ”
Awright! The adventure continues…
LOL You’re like an instant Twitter updater William!