Hitching
The gruesome 1992 "backpacker murders" drastically changed Australian attitudes to hitching. What proved most shocking was the seemingly indiscriminate choice of victims: men and couples seemed as likely a target as lone women, allaying several hitchhiking myths. The official advice is don't : with so many affordable forms of transport available, there's no real need to take the risk. If you must do it, never hitch alone , and always avoid being dropped in the middle of nowhere between settlements. In rural areas people seem more willing to stop, but long, isolated stretches of road don't make this the safest country to hitch in; as usual, women are at greatest risk. Remember that you don't have to get into a vehicle just because it stops: choose who to get in with and don't be afraid to ask questions before you do get in, making the arrangement clear from the start. Ask the driver where he or she is going rather than saying where you want to go. Try to keep your pack with you; having it locked in the boot makes a quick escape more difficult. A much better method is lining up lifts through hostel notice boards (though this means sharing fuel costs). This option gives you the chance to meet the driver in advance, and - as a fellow traveller - they will most likely be stopping to see many of the same sights along the way. In out-of-the-way locations, roadhouses are a good place to head, as the owners often know of people who'll be heading your way. The best way to ensure your safety , apart from exercising your judgement and common sense, is to make concrete arrangements before your departure and stick to them. Hostel managers are well aware of the possible danger to young women departing across the Outback with new acquaintances or undertaking work on remote stations, and will gladly receive - or better still - make calls to ensure your safe arrival.
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