For many Australians, the start to the new decade has been about as bad as it gets.
An unprecedented bushfire emergency has seen hundreds of homes destroyed, communities devastated, and – tragically – multiple lives lost.
The scale of the crisis is almost impossible to grasp. Great swathes of land the size of major European countries completely scorched, thousands of people trapped on beaches, major roads closed roads, and traffic brought to a standstill as terrified locals and holidaymakers seek to flee the advancing firefront.
In New South Wales the Rural Fire Service (RFS) has gone so far as to declare a ‘tourist leave zone’ between Batemans Bay and the northern edge of the Victorian border. It has urged visitors to leave the area immediately, and for prospective holidaymakers to choose alternative arrangements as predicted extreme heat on Saturday increases the fire risks again.
Emergency services plan to visit caravan parks to encourage people to leave.
RFS spokesman Ben Shepherd said this is to both ensure the safety of visitors and reduce strain on existing resources that have already suffered losses.
Forecasters predict very hot and windy conditions for South Australia tomorrow and dangerous bushfire conditions for eastern Victoria and New South Wales on Saturday, with temperatures again set to reach into the mid 40s.
“We are assuming that on Saturday weather conditions will be at least as bad,” said NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian. “That is something all of us have to brave ourselves for.”
For grey nomads and other travellers, the crisis has presented serious challenges. As well as keeping themselves out of harm’s way, travellers have been hugely anxious not to do anything that might steer resources away from where they are so desperately needed.
A frightening number of campers have also been directly affected by the blazes. A fire at Second Valley on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide terrified people staying at the Rapid Bay campground as it burned in surrounding hills.
“I saw flames going up the hill, and it was on the ground as well … it was really daunting,” local resident Anika Wollaston told the ABC. “The campground is pretty much full, and many campers were looking at the blaze … a lot of campers were just packing up and leaving.”
We are from the uk and have a van booked for a 2 week trip from brisbane to sydney at the end of january. We were going inland but have decided to stick to the coast. Would you more experienced travellers say that this would be advisable
Firstly Gill. Lets hope the present situation vastly improves re fires.
Certainly i would avoid going to far into the rural areas if there is any fire activity in those areas. Situations can change faster than you can drive safely.Perhaps stick to the larger towns if you are not sure. Listen and follow instructions from the emergency bodies.Keep tuned to the ABC radio for up dates if you are not sure.Safe travels.
Inland route might be best – get yourselves the NSW RFS app to see the latest on the fires and where they are.
Check the RFS website however many fires are along the coast. At present both the New England Highway and Pacific Highway may be affected.
I find the coast rather expensive and crowded,the inland is cheaper friendlier and more enjoyable.
I delayed my plans to travel up the East Coast back in November, as fires continued to ravage places I love along the Great Divide. I followed my intuition and have stayed home. I might take my van for a few days away, to Werribee and Mildura/Claire, but will wait til the rians come and fully extinguish the fires, before I head north. It breaks my heart to see so many places I love lost to these catastrophic fires. Forest fires can smoulder on for months underground until sufficient rains come to sink deep down into the still smouldering roots of trees. It is no time to travel at present, so long as emergency services need to do their brave and compassionate work!
Gill, if its safe I would support the inland route, they really need all the rolling dollars they can get.
Daz