Thread: Now I Know Why I Live in the Bush!

How do I put up with it? In short ... I don't

I left Melbourne 13 years ago for a few reasons, one being along the lines of the OPer. Second best thing I ever did.

I would never go back. I love the slower pace of rural living.

I was up in Cairns for the Solar eclipse 2 years ago. We hired a rental car online and when we arrived found it to be scam. Though the car place knew about it and helped us out which was great.

That afternoon driving around. It was hectic, so many people in town. Driving from the shopping center back to a mate place we had our first accident of the trip. A tour bus reversed out into us. Writing off the hire car. Called the company and all was worked out. Fully covered with insurance.

Then later that night. I was dropped with my mate and his kid. While his missus did a quick drive to pick up some others from the airport. Shortly after we got a call with her in tears. The second renal car was written off. Only a few hours after the first. She was driving through the centre of town and the lights were green. When a local ran the red and t-boned her car.

Cops arrived straight away and we were on the scene within a few mins. 2 locals saw the whole thing as they were crossing the road at the time and nearly got taken out by the other driver. So they passed the details onto the cops and we called the rental company once again. With the police backing us up all was good and they said we could have another car. Though due to the eclipse all the cars were now out for a few days.

2 days later once everyone finally left Cairns it seemed to calm down a bit. Even so i don't want to drive up there again. City driving is fine for me here in Melbourne but Cairns is crazy

Originally Posted by PTC

City driving is fine for me here in Melbourne but Cairns is crazy

I reckon Melbourne is not only crazy but terrifying. Everyone is in a hurry and being residents they know where they are going which is the opposite to me. Talk about being both lost and overwhelmed. I no longer go there and am a much happier chappy for it.

Hey Ferret,, I hope you reported the ****** bus driver.

Jonesfam,, that just a typical Good day here in Melb. Only four more years of this crap, then we're gone. Although I'm sure we'll get to experience all the other city driving there is around he country soon enough.
Looking forward to the sticks.

Hi Jonesfam,

I live 25k north of Cairns, and work in town. Yes it can get crazy at times there, but still 1000 times better than the 40k commute I used to do in Melbourne. I now work for QAS, and I am amazed how many accidents there are up around Ravenshoe, and the area. Lots of steep drop offs, and wet roads, combined with alcohol. Amazing response times considering the distances involved.
Just like any town, it is bound to get worse before it gets better. It is nice to be able to get away from the house and land sprawl, and be surrounded by greenery, and at the moment ciccadias ('spelling).
When you do come down, just do what you are here to do, and head out to the beaches for a coffee, and relax before you head back up the hill.
BTW 3 hour free parking at Cairns Central to keep locals from parking there while at work, but still allow time to go shopping. Not a bad solution for undercover parking in the CBD of Cairns
Cheers,
Ken

Melbourne isn't bad if you know exactly where your going. Half the drivers can't drive though, and the majority exhibit atrocious behaviour at anything above 80.

Bendigo takes 20 to get from one side to the other, though inconsiderate drivers do tend to get abused here.

You don't need to go to a city to see bad driving, just go through Dalyesford on a Sunday morning!

Hell, I go stir crazy driving around Tamworth 90km away and it only has 30,000 people!
I hear you on the parking spaces too, look along Peel St and at least half to two thirds the vehicles are 4x4's, either wagons or utes and yet the parking spaces are sized for frigging Hyundai Getz's!


I like my little town of 800 with three pubs, two clubs and four excellent cafes, one of which is 'The Good Food Guide' rated, and another would be too if it was open during the judging period!

Good food, good coffee, great ambience and scenery and great sex, what more does one need!