As various levels of government race to react to the growing threat of the Delta strain, some grey nomads say certain regulations are forcing them to compromise their own safety … and that of other road users.
As things stand, those seeking to enter Victoria can transit through NSW, as long as they do so in less than 24 hours and follow strict Covid protocols. However, some grey nomads who have made the ‘dash’ from Queensland through NSW to Victoria say they should be allowed more time.
Retiree Leon van Es, 67, recently drove to his Geelong home from the Gold Coast in 16 hours, with only quick stops to fill up at service stations.
He said such a schedule could be ‘very dangerous’ and, for those older people towing caravans, was effectively ‘impossible’.
Grey nomads Robert and Maureen Cook have also just completed ‘Mission Impossible’. After weighing up the pros and cons, the couple decided to cross the Queensland/NSW border at the Gold Coast and take the ‘faster’ Pacific Highway rather than the ‘shorter’ Newell Highway.
“We shared the driving stopping only for fuel, toilet and meals,” said Robert. “We drove 1,100 kilometres to Gunning north of Yass, having driven for approximately 14 hours.”
The pair free camped at Gunning and then finished the last 320 kilometres of their journey, finally crossing into Victoria at Wodonga … 26 hours after starting the ‘dash’.
They say there was not one police officer in attendance, although they were picked up by a border camera and received many messages telling them to isolate and have a Covid test.
Robert describes the 24-hour requirement as ‘unreasonable’.
However, a Victorian Government spokesperson told the GNT that ‘Victoria has strict border measures in place to limit the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant from NSW into the Victorian community’.
For its part, Road Safety Victoria has warned that it is vital that travellers avoid driving while tired, as fatigue is a key contributor to road trauma.
“With restrictions in place, it’s important to plan ahead before starting your journey – get plenty of rest the night before, aim not to drive when you would usually be asleep, and share the driving if possible,” said the organisation’s Executive Director, Carl Muller. “Plan where and when to take regular breaks and, if you do feel drowsy, stop, rest and consider taking a 15-20 minute power nap.”
Dashing across NSW non-stop (particularly with caravan on back) is nothing but lunacy. Surely powers to be could cordon off several parking/rest areas along Highways for genuine travellers. – Not “Rocket Science”.
My in laws aged 81 and 83 left Goondawindi at 6:00am, crossed the border at Tocumwal about 10:00pm, tried to have a sleep in the car…couldn’t get to sleep, decided to continue on to Torquay arriving at 1:30 am the next day. A total of 19 and a half hours! Needless to say the family wasn’t very happy with them. Not once did they see a policeman or stoppped at the border or any where else to show their border pass.
I take litte notice of those directives put together in some city offices by people who have probably never looked at a map or been out of the city limits
I was told once I had 24hrs to drive home from Camooweal to Darwin. I took my usual casual time and when I got to Mataranka on the third day they phoned me and a person asked why I was not in Darwin yet…I asked her did she know how far it is from Camooweal to Darwin..?
Her answer was “I dont really know, I’ve never been up that way”
I said darlin it’s 1400k…and that’s about a four days drive for me. Iam bush camping and self isolating so I will call you when I arrive at Humpty Doo…and there was no problem.
Im sorry, but, please stop whingeing about being stuck, rushed, banned etc, etc. We all know the problems this pandemic has, and will cause, so why travel interstate, ‘just because you can, and will – no one’s telling me what to do’ attitude!, completely makes no sense, and irresponsible. Please dont get me wrong, my wife and i would love to explore, but will stay in our own state for the time being.
Good luck to you. Stay at home, close your doors and windows. We were told get vaccinated and life will return to normal. Quite frankly travelling to northern Australia is a lot safer than living on the north western side of Melbourne. The issue is the unreasonable requirement of returning to Victoria in 24 hours. The rest of the sanctimonious comment about travelling is not required.
only problem with staying in our state is it only takes 45 minutes to cross from one side to the other
I think you’ve got it wrong Traindriver…!
People are just trying to get home the best way they can.
Nobodys whinging..they are just legitimate comments on an open forum about a system that changes and at times a bit difficult to interpret and navigate.
Fair and valid comments I thought..!