Get Away with Dre: Travelling Around Australia: Fact or Fiction?
It’s April Fools, and to celebrate in foolish-fashion we’ll give you info about travelling around Australia, you guess if it’s real or not.
You’ll be amazed by what’s fact or fiction, and what’s legal or illegal, when travelling around Australia. Ready?
Western Australia hosts an annual Cockroach Race. Fact or fiction?
FICTION.
The annual Cockroach Race is actually held in Brisbane each year. A long standing tradition since 1982!
It’s held at the Story Bridge Hotel on Australia Day every year, this year (2025) makes it the 42nd annual roach race event ever. Like all great races, there’s even a winner’s hall of fame for the winning cockroach.
1982 Soft Cocky
1987 Cocky Dundee
1993 Guns N’ Roaches
2002 Osama Bin Liner
Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world. Fact or fiction?
FACT.
Along with Iceland, North-west Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.
The air gets cleaned naturally while it travels for thousands of kilometres over the ocean, by the time it reaches the Tasmanian coast it’s at its cleanest. The quality of air then starts to reduce as it moves across Tasmania.
Cape Grim is the site where the world’s cleanest air reaches Tasmania. It’s the base of the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station run by the Bureau of Meteorology since 1976 and now jointly managed with CSIRO. They monitor changes to the air, changes related to greenhouse gases.
Horseback riders must use the shared footpath. Fact or fiction?
FICTION.
Legally, horse riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, motorcyclists and bicycle riders. They can ride on our roads, however other drivers should take extra care when driving near them as they can be easily scared and be a problem for the horserider and other cars.
1 in every 41 crashes on country roads involve a vehicle hitting an animal. Fact or fiction?
FACT.
Brumbies, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats are common wildlife that can be found on our roads – particularly around dusk or dawn. Same with farm livestock, like cattle and sheep. Slow down when driving around dusk or dawn.
If you accidentally hit an animal, pull over if its safe to do so and check on it if it’s safe to do so. Call WIRES on 1 300 094 737
The Australian Alps gets more snow than the Swiss Alps in winter. Fact or fiction
Alpine environment, Kosciuszko National Park
FICTION.
This has been a running myth for a while now! Even the NSW Premier Chris Minns posted it on LinkedIn in winter 2023
A politician not telling us the truth? No! Can’t be!
The Swiss Alps covers 60% of Switzerland which is 25,370 square kms. By comparison the Australian Alps Bioregion is only 12,300 square kms and snow covered land is scattered in the area.
Uluru is an above ground rock formation. Fact or fiction?
FICTION.
Uluru is actually somewhat of a land-iceberg, with 2.5kms of Uluru underground. That’s about 7 times its height above ground.
When visiting Uluru, I recommend the base walk. This 10km loop trail around its base can be done on foot or on bikes. You get to see Uluru up close and experience its natural biodiversity. Throughout the day spots around the base change according to the shade and weather, giving you a different experience all together.
For a different view, check out Uluru from above in a scenic chopper flight.
Australia has 65 winegrowing regions. Fact or fiction?
FACT.
France has 15 major wine regions, Italy has 20, while Spain has 138.
In Australia there is an estimate of 2,156 wineries and approx 6,000 grape growers that produce approx 1.35 trillion bottles of wine a year. This contributes over $45 billion annually to the Australian economy.
You read it right. Buy wine. It contribues to the economy.
