Hitching these days is getting to be one of these things that isn't 'PC' to recommend to travelers. Although rare, the horror stories of travelers disappearing along lonely roads or being subjected to rape have filled our papers and made headline news on various occasions. So the question is, "Is it safe to hitch and is it worth the risk trying?"
Having just spent two great weeks hitching around Tasmania, I still wouldn't advocate this mode of travel to just anyone, because hitching is very relative to location, destination and who you are. However, hitching is a fantastic way to meet the locals, get a real feel for an area and have an alternative flavored journey.
So the compromise must be to advocate the use of commonsense if you do decide to go with the thumb. Common sense is something most travelers learn very quickly. I spoke to locals and other travelers about hitching before I started. The vibe I got was encouraging, and my overall experience was really enriched because of the variety of rides I got.
Choose your highways carefully: the busier the better. Have a sign with your destination written on it, and maybe add something like "I have biscuits!".
Hitching spots just before lay-by's are good, or anywhere where vehicles can pull over. Just after roundabouts or junctions are also good because vehicles have to slow down and this also gives the driver time to see your lovely hand writing. To be doubly cautious it is also an idea to leave your destination with someone and call him or her when you arrive.
Tasmania is one of those few places left in the world where hitching is fairly commonplace, even for locals, and it's easy to get rides. Apart from one 45-minute wait, I didn't have to wait more than 25 minutes for any ride. I had rides with tourists, ancient hippies in tired VW campers, on logging trucks and with Telstra engineers.
Plus I learnt all sorts of things: Tasmanians don't have two heads; a slow truck is called a Cray Fish because it's all tail and no guts; there are in the region of 4000 lakes in Tasmania; a vegetarian is called a 'Shrub Cutter' or 'Shrub Cuddler'.
Best of all, you get around for free or the price of a packet of biscuits. New Zealand, I hear, is another good place to hitch around.
Even though I had a great time, I did have one lift that I considered a little dodgy. That was with two cagey guys who told me, after I got in, that they didn't have a license between them.
My final piece of advice? Take care, be sure about hitching and enjoy the adventure.
Questions?
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