Solo 4WD traveller reveals 'confronting reality' of notorious Aussie road

Yahoo

2 days ago

A 4WD driver who braved a notorious stretch of road in the outback alone is urging Australians not to get swept up in the rising popularity of 4WD holidays unless they truly understand what one entails.
After months of building up the courage to drive the infamous Gibb River Road in WA's Kimberley Region, a 660-kilometre dirt track with the reputation of being a 'vehicle wrecker', Jade Nicolle, 44, admitted to Yahoo News there were moments the "confronting reality" of being alone in the Aussie wilderness almost got the better of her.
This was definitely the case when she drove out to Wunnamurra Gorge at the start of the month. Despite asking for advice from station staff at Mount Elizabeth, and being reassured that her vehicle and beginner 4WD skills would be enough for the journey, she quickly found herself in over her head — almost literally.
"It very quickly became apparent that there was probably a difference in the definition of what a standard track was. I don't know why I didn't turn around and go home," Jade told Yahoo, explaining the terrain was rugged and unpredictable, and the incline steep and ever-changing.
"I was terrified, my Garmin watch kept telling me to relax because it was picking up that I was so distressed," she said. "The sun was in my face, and the dust was all over my windscreen. I could barely see because in many areas the roads point upwards and you're doing rock climbing, I had to drive with my head out the window."
"It took me an hour to drive seven and a half kilometres."
The 'confronting reality' abundantly clear to solo 4WD driver
In the moments when Jade was steering white-knuckled along the track, she realised it was down to her to get herself and her car out in one piece.
"It does become very confronting when you're a solo traveller, and you're the only car on the road, and you're faced with the reality that if you do something wrong and you break your car, then your holiday is potentially over, or you could be in trouble," she told Yahoo.
"I genuinely contemplated just pulling the car over and walking the 12km back," she confessed. However, chose against it as she didn't want to block the road for any other drivers eager to make the journey.
The dangers of solo travelling in the outback were apparent when German backpacker Caroline Wilga, 26, went missing for 11 nights following a vehicle accident. Caroline was later found by a driver and airlifted to hospital, with police explaining she survived by drinking from puddles and sheltering in a cave.
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The one thing 'mandatory' for Aussie 4WD holiday
Jade was relieved to reach Wunnamurra Gorge, which she claims was "totally worth it", and return back to the highway without any major vehicle damage. Despite it being a moment of pride from the trip, she said she "wouldn't do it again", content that it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
When Yahoo News questioned what she'd do differently, she instead highlighted the one thing that was her lifeline. She urged anyone eager to follow in her footsteps to ensure they have one thing.
"In my eyes, a UHF is mandatory," she said. Ultra-High-Frequency radios allow vehicles to communicate with one another in the outback, and Jade claims having one not only helped ease her mind, but it also was exceptionally practical.
"For instance, if I've got a caravan coming up behind me, I can contact it and say, caravan travelling westbound on Gibb River Road. This is the silver Navara in front of you. I can see that you want to overtake. I'll let you know when it's clear and you can get past," she explained.
Jade isn't the only long-distance driver who has found a UHF hugely beneficially. In Feburary, truckie Ben was caught behind a caravanner who quickly contacted him on the radio to let him know whenever he wanted to overtake, he would slow down to make the process more efficient. The UHF radio was also used between a driver and a caravanner in a separate incident in March, to notify a caravanner that his vehicle was swaying on the road.
Despite having moments of realisation that Jade had to get herself out of potentially dangerous situations, she told Yahoo the journey was incredible, and Aussies along the way are more than willing to lend a helping hand.
"I was technically travelling alone, but I have never been alone. People you meet on the road are spectacular... the Aussie spirit is incredible," she said.
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