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Hitchhikers - Yes or No? By jon July 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 pm

Karl is the young man sitting behind the car in the photo. He is the perfect ad for picking up hitchhikers. Just outside Coober Pedy, Jack driving, we start to get up speed and there he is, classic pose, none of this post-modernist cardboard sign nonsense. Just a thumb and a smile.

We take ages to stop, turn around and toot the horn. He has been standing there since 7am and now it is after 3 in the afternoon. He throws the swag in the back, tells us he is heading to Alice for a wedding and settles into the rhythm. Within minutes Jack and Karl have bonded over music selection and Arts degrees.

When we get to Kulgera [just over the NT border] we decide to stop rather than drive in the dark. Karl wanders off into the night to pitch his tent, declining our offer of sharing the cabin we hire. In the morning he joins us for breakfast. He thought he had put his swag under a tree but it was the windsock on the airstrip, and he had spent the night on the edge of the dirt strip.

He rides with us again to The Alice, entertaining us with tales of mountain climbing, pendulum swinging [look it up, sounds amazing] and Pine Gap protests. We discuss the etiquette of hitchhiking. Contriibutions welcome. Thanx for the company, Karl.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 pm and is filed under Australia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

38 comments to “Hitchhikers - Yes or No?”

  1. By Kerry July 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 am

    yes, yes, yes - We have some French friends who do it all the time in Europe (and Australia) and its very common and I feel we should be encouraging it more here. Along with the usual common sense and gut instinct radars in place. I was faced with a hitching hiking trip from Grenoble to Toulouse in France with said friend. I responsible chose the train option and left him to his normal mode of transport. With out a word of a lie, he was waiting on the platform when I arrived 6+ hours later. I think I owed him a baguette.

    have a great trip guys - looking forward to your observations

  2. By Doug M July 3rd, 2008 at 7:38 am

    You must be well-packed. I generally have no room for hitchhikers, even if there is only me in the car.
    However once away from urban centres in Australia, hitchhiking is frequently the only way to get around without one’s own transport or if something goes wrong with a vehicle.
    By the time you finish your six months, you may well have a sign in the car window wanting Australian hitchhikers just to hear the accent!

  3. By Caroline Piesse July 3rd, 2008 at 9:02 am

    Ref. Karl and the airstrip.
    Years ago, three ‘10 pound poms’ toured and in the dark camped, discovered it was a cemetary, moved on, set up camp and were woken by the sound of thundering hooves - we were camped in the local abatoir!
    Enjoying your tales and nice hearing you on 774 yesterday.

  4. By Bruce July 3rd, 2008 at 9:35 am

    Hey Jon
    I heard you on 774 yesterday as you awaited for you car to be repaired. Now that you have been delayed, you should spend some time in and around Alice Springs. Its a an exciting town with heaps to do and see. Go to the Aralaluen Cultural Centre, and when in the museum ask to see the video on the Strehlow Family who did awesome work with the Aborigine’s. Drive out to Hermannsburg 135 km west of Alice Springs so much history. See the McDonnell ranges, Kings Canyon, Ochre Pits. Dont waste a minute of the unplanned spare time you now have.

  5. By Jasmine July 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 am

    Dear Travellers,
    Picked up a hitchhiker at the Maldon turnoff who wanted to go the 12 kms to Newstead.
    He told us he had been to Maldon to see his ex in Tarrengower Prison, had a drug and alcohol problem, number of kids to diff mothers, out of work, had hitched from Wodonga and it had taken 4 days, his parents were at Newstead and would be so surprised to see him cos they thought he was in gaol still, etc etc.
    When we dropped him off I brightly said to my #4 son “Didnt we learn a lot from HIM?” and Marshall said “Yes - not to pick up hitch hikers”!
    Obviously his name wasn’t Karl, what a wonderful experience for you!
    Keep headin’ North.
    Hugs,
    Jas

  6. By Alison July 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 am

    Hi Jon and Jack,sounds as if things have settled down,loved the hitchhiker story,he could be the first of many!Cheers AL.

  7. By matt flaherty July 3rd, 2008 at 11:10 am

    when younger i hitched melb perth 3 times and melb darwin brisbane once. had to get the bus woomera to alice. met some amazing people. spent 3 days at three ways nt but eventually got a lift. i remember port augusta very late at night waiting outside a roadhouse under weak light when a greyhound bus pulled in and one of the passenger brought me over a hot chocolate-one of the kindest things someones done for me.
    have a great trip guys

  8. By Gez July 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Hi Jon and Jack
    Just a quick thought - if you do continue to pick up hitchhikers, take photos of them. They will be an interesting inclusion in your book!! If you just want to self-publish, blurb.com is a great way to do it, having just done it myself, with our own photos, etc. The program is called BookSmart and its free to down load and very user friendly. A fabulous memory to have forever.
    Take care on the hitchhiker front. We’re really enjoying following your trip. Cathy’s doing a good job in the morning, but we do already miss you Jon!

  9. By Vicki July 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 am

    Lovely story No 1 X:-) Thanks guys X:-) Vicki (Melb)

  10. By Kathy July 3rd, 2008 at 11:43 am

    Hi Jon and jack
    We found travelling through the outback that hitch hiking was reasonably safe, as was picking up hikers. We met some great people that way. As for the pendulum swing - also known as canyon jumping. I did a canyon jump in Interlaken, Switzerland and the adrenalin rush is unlike anything I have ever experienced. In fact just recalling the memory send a shot of adrenalin rushing through me. If you get the chance, do it. Honestly the best, scariest and most thrilling experience ever!
    Hope the mechanical ills are being sorted out satisfactorily.
    While in Darwin, check out Litchfield NP if you get a chance.
    Have fun.

  11. By Kathy July 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am

    Hi Jon and Jack,
    Found that hitch hikers are usually pretty safe in the outback and found picking up people from time to time was a great way to meet people. Some great stories out there. Pendulum swing aka canyon jumping is the most exciting and thrilling thing I have ever done. Was lucky enough to experience this in Interlaken in Switzerland. Was the best adrenalin rush ever. If you get the chance just do it. You will love it and you can live off the rush for years. Just the memory of it brings on a surge of adrenalin…even now.
    Check out Litchfield NP while you are in Darwin. Well worth the visit.
    Take care

  12. By Leanne July 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    Trip sounds great already. Jack is going to learn about life than he ever will at University (although it is necessary evil).

  13. By Warby Boy July 3rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    Hmm Hitch hikers.
    I do my share of interstate long haul trucking & have never picked up a hitch hiker although I do confess that the right company would be a welcome relief from the tedium of the road. Curiously I find that many truckers keep their silence even on the radio, not all, but a large proportion choose not to communicate in any form. This is even evident at Roadhouses where many will sit alone in a crowded dining room full of truckers. I find that all a bit odd. perhaps with your savvy communication skills you can prove my observations to be incorrect?

  14. By David from Frankston July 3rd, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    I think the braver option these days is to actually do the hitchhiking. Karl sounds like the sort of person who is giving hitcher’s a reputation boost.
    Safe travels boys.

  15. By Ray July 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    It’s an interesting debate hitch-hiking.

    I personally agree to giving them a lift, yet it does create an element of risk to both the hiker, and the generosity of the commuter.

    I remember picking up a man of about 40, from a central Victorian town, who was going home from work to the next town where he lived. Nice enough bloke although a very “rough diamond”. As it turned out, he was an ex con who did time for aggravated burglary, and wasn’t liked in the town he lived, so worked 50kms away where he could get work.

    You never know who you may meet by picking up a hitch-hiker.And I guess that works both ways.

    God speed Jon and Jack.

  16. By Al Spry July 3rd, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    I’d much rather give a lonely soul on the side of a road a lift if I was one half of two blokes. As a woman with [more often than not] two childerbeasts in tow, I’m too scared. Shame.

    In my hazy memory, there used to be a hand gesture stating the above. I’d love to be reminded of it, if anyone knows…..

  17. By daryl lambert July 3rd, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Hi there looks like your journey so far has been uneventful.Karl your hitchhiker will be one of many you guys will meet on this adventure.
    Did you get that phone working ? Did you manage to get to Darwin by Tuesday ?
    It is not until you get going that you realise how big Australia is.
    Even changing over drivers every 200 k’s can be hard going.
    I received your first contact today,and will try to catch up with you from time to time .Be well Daryl ps do you have a rough idea of your path,just main cities would be good ,i can then follow on map.

  18. By Marlene July 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    Hi John & Jack,
    Enjoyed reading your update. Envy you. We have been on the trip around Australia with our caravan,its the best. We have never picked up a hitchiker Karl sounded like he was a lot of fun. Safe trip, take care. Miss you on the radio John. Regards Marlene Block Mt Rowan Vic

  19. By Nige July 3rd, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    Don’t usually have room for hitchhikers but have given a few a lift over the years.

    Two come to mind. Wife and I were heading up the Hume one rainy night and we saw a guy walking along just after passing a car off the side of the highway. Figured he’d broken down so we pulled up. He jumped in and we immediately could smell grog on him. He says he’s going to Benalla so we take off. Within minutes he’s fast asleep snoring up a storm. Once we got to Benalla, my wife had to turn around and shake him to wake him up. He thanked us and jumped out in the main street.

    The other one was many years ago when I was going over Mt Hotham to get to Lakes Entrance. Picked up a lady with a little boy half way up the hill. She proceeded to tell me she was doing a runner from her husband (they were there somewhere on holidays). The boy was squelling with delight as we went around all the bends. Ended up dropping them off in Bairnsdale, happy to go and find my mates for a simple holiday (she had a complicated story which she told me over the couple of hours!!)

    Cheers, Nige

  20. By mr nice July 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 pm

    i once picked up a hitchhiker (ess) on my way to a fruit picking job in country victoria. she kept commenting on the’rubber’ on trucks passing by…

    a little while after wards it dawned on me…

    ‘rubber’ being a tool of trade!

    keep on trucking!

    looking forward to your further adventures & posts!

    this 774 listener will miss one JF

  21. By Shane D July 4th, 2008 at 12:07 am

    Not long finished “Sins of the brothe” the biography of Ivan Milat, and even though he was not the hitch-hiker it scared the living daylights out of me so I wold never pick up a hitch hiker. I also remember picling one up many years ago when I was in NSW on business, driving from Cooma to Broken Hill. This guy kept changing where he wanted to go, until he ended up going all the way to Broken Hill with me.

    He was a pretty creepy guy…. Anything could have happened.

  22. By Ray Davis July 4th, 2008 at 12:17 am

    G’Day John & Jack..wont be long before you will need those seasick pills :-)
    I would be extremely carefull who I stopped for,had experience (bad)another trip 4 mates really bad.that was 20 plus years ago…it’s up to you guys…keep your eyes open for vehicles behind hills,dunes,scrub,Rule of thumb,don’t pick up any bugger…thats me tho’Take Care matey’s.
    Stay Safe.
    Regards
    Ray

  23. By michelle achison July 4th, 2008 at 3:43 am

    How I miss the days when my mum would come to a screeching halt to pick up anybody at the side of the road. Good on you for taking him and allowing yourself the opportunity to be entertained by a stranger.
    Sitting here in the USA, missing you on the radio 774 but I know I will enjoy reading this adventure.

  24. By Andiis July 4th, 2008 at 8:37 am

    Hitchhiking is as ancient as the human desire to migrate. The willingness of Jack and Jon to help Karl on his journey speaks to our humanity and the need to share. This can only add to their good fortune. But how the heck did they fit him in!!! Go you good things. ” To strive , to seek , to find , and not to yield ” You have my enduring best wishes. Andiis.

  25. By Rosie July 4th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Hi Jon and Jack,
    I’ve never been brave about hitchhiking since persuing this interesting way of travel in Cansda in the 70’s. I was hitchhiking between Jasper and Banff in the Canadian Rockies; about 0800 in the am; been there thumb out for about an hour; a family of brown bears on one side of the highway near the Columbia icefields- me on the other! Any car/truck/wagon would do!
    2 guys pulled up in Datsun 240Z, low slung sports car. “hop in” was their welcome greeting. Looking into the back of the 2 door low-slung coupe with only 2 seats; both occupied,the back area(no seat!) also occupied by a large white fluffy dog, ‘hop’ was probably the only option.
    Clutching all my worldly goods which were jammed into a large back pack, we, (the back pack and I) hopped in to the very limited available space. They were friendly congenial young Candadians, driving above the speed limit and sculling cans of the local brew(which they generously offered to share with me at 0800 in the am!!!) as they drove!!
    After realizing that if we did hit something, skid on the icey road, or hit one of the beautiful pine trees, muggins in the back wouldn’t stand a chance and find that I may be permanently confined to another form of pine on the other side of the world.
    Graciously, I thanked them announcing that this ’spot, right here, is exactly where i was heading this am!(more wilderness, sans bears) and another 3 hour wait until an elderly(probably about 50 to a naive 22 yr old) friendly farmer took pity and drove me into Banff.
    I am sure Karl looked on your higway benevolence in the same way that I valued my elderly farmer all those years ago Jon.

    Take care both of you; missing the am dialogue Jon, though Cathy is doing a great job.

    Regards

    Rosie Williams

  26. By Joan July 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Hi John and Jack, Happy to know you are both safe and I bet Karl will wait a long time before he find another trip with people like you. He too will be dining off his story about who picked him up for a long time. I hope you have arranged with 774 to spend at least the first morning back on air with nothing else but telling us all about your trip. You must both be eager to really get started once you reach foreign soil. Thank you both for finding time to keep us all informed of events.

  27. By John R July 4th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

    Fantastic that the social rituals of hitch-hiking can still survive in this world of post-modern violence and paranoia. I have great memories of hitch-hiking in Western Queensland in the 1960s but I would probably collapse with anxiety if Sam did it now!

    I am enjoying the musings of you and Jan - and I hope we hear from Jack soon too.

  28. By Eleanor & Wally July 5th, 2008 at 10:27 am

    Hi Jon & Jack
    We really enjoy your story so far. I (EL) become a listerner of 774 mostly because of you and inticed my husband to listen to 774 instead of his beloved GDR. Wally’s son John Jablonka lives in Darwin (he is a friend of Danny Blay who as you know is driving around the world with his family), so we have been there a few times over last 10 years. There are many things to do and see whilst you are in NT. If you have a chance go to night and weekend markets. You won’t regret the food there!
    Looking forward to the rest of your jorney.

  29. By judi July 5th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

    Am loving your blog already.Entertaining !
    Will be missing you on the air waves though.

  30. By Marian. July 5th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    BEEN UP THERE THREE TIMES, WOULD NOT PICK UP , SO I AGREE WITH BRUCE, HOWEVER MY GRANDCHILDREN RELIED ON HITCHIKING TO GET HOME INTO THE HILLS AROUND MELBOURNE YEARS AGO AND IT IS VERY HARD TO LEAVE SOMEONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE A REMOTE AREA, JUST BE CAREFUL, AND HAVE SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT LIKE A SPANNER!!! THE DEVILS MARBLES ARE WORTH A VISIT AND PERHAPS A STAY, AND I LOVED MATERANKA SPRINGS, AND HOMESTEAD CARAVAN PARK TO NAME ONLY TWO. NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU ON AIR.

  31. By Kathy at kallista July 5th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    Yes but not in Iran!!!

    We picked up a few when travelling in England we had a tiny red Citroen already rather full we added two soggy Englishmen with large packs wet cold and bound for an isolated Scottish youth hostel. Very very cosy (Canned Englishmen)
    One was a oboe maker and the other a chicken sexer, hmm, interesting company!!!

    My partner tells of travelling in Iran where truck drivers would sit cross legged on the seat with a brick on the accelorater A SINGLE SHARED PASSING LANE which was used requently eeekkk !!!

    It is so important to get some companty and get away from eachother sometimes Youth hostels were great. Happy travelling Take care

    Kathy at Kallista

  32. By Geoffo July 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    I hitchhiked Melbourne-Brisbane return in the latish-1950s when I was 15 turning 16 (I think!). Magic. Included driving (without a licence) all night from Ipswich to Singleton via New England Highway & Putty Road, to get a totally shagged out brickie back to work on time. He had hardly slept for 2 weeks in Surfers (then a very new experience) and had to start work at 8am. So he picked me up on a rainy evening outside Ipswich and asked if I could drive! Yes I could. Only one hairy moment the whole night.

    In 1969, gave a lift to a couple of Canadian guys from a bit south of Sydney to about Gundagai, then met them a week or so later and hosted them a bit in Melbourne — including having them out to my parents’ place near Diamond Creek while we fought a bush fire. They were pretty impressed!

    On the Stuart Highway and the like, you have to help. Good to have two of you, though, to have your own stuff well packed so it can’t be ullaged inconspicuously, and to pick up the same sex.

    Geoff in Mentone

  33. By Carl (with a C) July 11th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    Hi Jon and Jack
    This is the said Hitchhiker Carl here. Remembered you had a web site so I thought I’d check it out and see how your trip’s going. I have to say, it’s a bit strange having a discussion about me going on. Was there a disclosure form I was supposed to fill out….? Just jokes.
    The wedding was fabulous, had about 50 people camp out in the creek bed that night after the wedding. Including the bride and groom. Swag city!
    You guys were a very welcome relief from the tedious dusty wind of the highway in coober pedy. I’d had enough of throwing pebbles at the tin can on the side of the road and was keen to get moving. As tedious as it is though, waiting for such lengths of time, I think hitching does a few great things for me. It forces you to rely on the others, which we spend so much time trying to avoid - desperately wanting to be totally independent, and it allows you to get to spend a little bit of time with and get to know a bit about a total stranger, which I have to say is always rewarding. Each lift I got was with an equally unique person or people, on vastly different journeys and despite different people’s quirks, there was a generosity and willingness to have a chat that made each lift rewarding. One of those little things that is slowly diminishing unfortunately.
    Thanks again guys. All the best with your travels, Maybe I’ll see you at the Katoomba skyway some time.
    Carl

  34. By Annette Pereira July 11th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

    I think i met that guy hitchiking a few weeks ago! Is he from the Blue Mountains? Isn’t he lovely. Probably one of the nicest people i’ve ever met.
    I remember thinking to myself after i had dropped him in Sydney, ‘he would make a great prime minister one day’.

  35. By james hague July 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

    good luck you blokes wish i had known you were doing this i wanted to do vladivostok to london via moscow shoulds been listening to abc im 71 but i will do it landcruiser cab chassis riged out for camping
    all the best james

  36. By Maree July 14th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

    Hi John & Jack

    I’m afraid I would not pick up hitchhikers cos I would be too afraid there would be a problem with my insurance. Sorry to put in a down note on the great story and feedback but I know that Jon will understand why given his training too.

    Terrific adventures and ok if there are no problems.

    regards
    Maree

  37. By Natalie July 15th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Just been looking at the photos. Wow! That’s a real taste of the top end. The sunset is stunning. It really is a wide brown land. The red soil and the aborigines and their artwork are really stirring up a desire to see it all for myself. Am really feasting on your experiences. Thank you. Continue enjoying everything and safely. Natalie

  38. By Cat July 17th, 2008 at 10:29 am

    We picked up a hitchhiker on the way to Glasgow. He was a local and chatted cheerfully and incessantly in the back seat and we understood not one single word. With about 5 miles to go my husband got the giggles and I was left to do noncommittal yet encouraging noises in reply, breaking out in a sweat each time he asked a question. Great memories!

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