The successful search for two travellers who were feared lost in Central Australia has once again highlighted the need for all remote area travellers to keep people informed of their movements.
A search operation was launched earlier this week when a 64-year-old male and 58-year-old female travelling in a silver Isuzu D-Max towing a grey Jayco J-POD caravan were reported overdue by family members.
The couple had been last seen in Palm Valley within the Finke Gorge National Park about 140 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The couple were believed to be travelling towards Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park, but never arrived.
Having been in regular contact with family members up until that point, relatives became concerned when the pair had been out of contact for four days.
The couple and their vehicles have been successfully located. PIC: NT Police
Police tried to ‘triangulate’ the pair’s phones, but only tracked them to their last seen location.
A combined search of the area was undertaken using police vehicles, Police aircraft, and with the assistance of Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife.
Police soon successfully located both individuals within the identified search area.
“NT Police Search and Rescue thank the public for their assistance and remind Territorians and visitors of the importance of sharing travel plans with family or friends when exploring remote areas of the Northern Territory,” NT police said in a statement.
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We travel for approximately 3 months north each year and leave a rough itinerary for family. This year we headed North and Westward to Broome. We put our travel plans on WikiCamps and shared it with our daughter. We found that as we logged our arrival at our camp destination which sometimes varied from the original plan it made the changes on her copy as well which kept her updated on our location.
We leave a map with our family of the route that we are going to take on extended trips.
After arriving at each destination we phone our family to let them know that we’ve arrived safely.
If our next destination has no phone service we let our family know ahead where we’ll be & for how long.
People get themselves into trouble when they overestimate the capabilities of their vehicle or caravan.
“Off Road” only means off bitumen.
I have been told that if you find yourself in a place with no service you can leave that information on your phone as your voicemail. If somebody rings your number and the call goes to your voicemail then callers will know your last location.
Sorry but if your going into areas that have no phone signal then why not carry a PLB, that way you get into strife you alert the authorities who can track you down to 20 meters. Saves a lot of time and removes the cost to the local agencies, with a cost of what $400, simples really!
Once the family knows that you have a PLB it takes a lot of worry off them about your safety.
When travelling, we keep in touch with family via WhatsApp when in mobile range.
When I went on a 450klm solo unsupported bicycle ride in North West Tasmania, my friend and I did the share location thing on the Find My Phone app. She could see where I was at any moment. Also I checked in morning and night by text with another friend. I’m assuming though, that depends on phone reception.