Horizons February/March 2019

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

» What’s on in WA » Member benefits » 10 of the best

Win

a tr New Zeip to aland see page 34

BEST IN THE WEST Our top five road trips revealed

High pressure

Forecasting our extreme weather

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The safest used cars under $10K

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25 Jan 2020 | 2 Nights | Vasco da Gama

27 Jan 2020 | 5 Nights | Vasco da Gama

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Editor Vanessa Pogorelic Graphic Designer Renee Smith Head of Design Mark Coppini Managing Editor Rebecca Martin

Your RAC magazine Feb/Mar 2019

Advertising Des McNamara (WA only) Tel. 08 9388 7844 des@mediatonic.com.au Kerri Spillane Tel 03 8520 6444 kerrispillane@hardiegrant.com

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Horizons® Published by RAC WA

High pressure Staying ahead of WA’s weather extremes

Cover photo Warroora Station, south of Coral Bay Photographer Monique Garget-Bennett from @saltytravellers

CAB audited as at September 2018 is 605,562 households

Our plastic wrapper is biodegradable

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Member lounge People, places and offers

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Member benefits RAC members save every day

Australia Post ISSN No 0810 8285.

The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.

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Contact

 facebook.com/RACWA  @racwa rac.com.au  editor@rac.com.au For deaf, hearing or speech impaired members: Emergency Roadside Assistance SMS number 0434 182 877 All queries relayservice.gov.au For more contact details, see page 81.

Roadside Assistance, Battery Services

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February-March 2019 / Horizons

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President’s message Look up WA

Exchange Your views and feedback

Snapshot News from RAC

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What’s on Great events around WA

Safety first Buying a used car on a budget

Meet Chris Our longest serving Patrol

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Roadside repairs How to change a flat tyre

Gibb River Road A challenging ride

Travel brief News from RAC Travel

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Winning WA road trips The top five voted by you

Magical Memphis Exploring the city in four days

Motor news Everything on wheels

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Test drive Putting new cars to the test

Car doctor Your questions answered

The 10 best Historical shipwrecks

Horizons / February-March 2019

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Helping to save lives and save you money That’s the power of membership

RBRA0492

RAC is a membership organisation. We give back to you with savings on RAC products and services, plus savings on fuel, shopping and more. In return, your membership helps us sponsor the RAC Rescue helicopters which fly life-saving missions every hour of every day. That’s the power of membership.

Find out more at rac.com.au/power Member Benefit Terms and Conditions apply. Funded by the State Government, the RAC Rescue helicopters are managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

YO U R R A C

President’s message Distraction epidemic prompts Look Up road safety campaign Eighty per cent of Western Australian motorists are using their phones behind the wheel, according to a study commissioned by RAC, despite 90 per cent labelling the act risky.

So why are so many motorists, who know the dangers of distraction, risking serious injury or death?

It’s this question that prompted RAC to launch Look Up, a road safety campaign targeting mobile phone use while driving.

Designed as a community movement, the centrepiece of Look Up is a spoken word video part-narrated by Gary Turk, an award-winning writer best known for his own Look Up video launched in 2014.

The message behind Look Up is simple, that real human connection and a strong sense of our surroundings is far more valuable than gazing at our phones.

Australia is one of the world’s top markets for smartphone ownership, with 88 per cent

of us now owning one. That’s according to research by Deloitte which also found that, on average, we check our phones 35 times a day.

Some of those 35 glances are occurring while the user is in control of a fast-moving vehicle and sharing the road with other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

It’s unquestionable; we’re addicted to our phones, and the dangers — which include being killed or enduring a life-changing injury — are not currently seen by many as a strong enough deterrent. This relaxed attitude toward the extreme risks of distracted driving has catapulted the issue to epidemic levels and has the global road safety community urgently searching for solutions.

RAC President

Tony Evans

Through our Look Up campaign, RAC hopes to empower Western Australians to re-assess what’s most important and ditch the distraction.

RAC Council

If the lure is too strong — and the science tells us that for most people, it overwhelmingly is — you can and should use techniques to eliminate the temptation. This includes activating the Do Not Disturb mode (most phones have the option) or put your phone completely out of reach.

Above all else, remember to look up while driving, focus on the road ahead and arrive safely at your destination.

Club Patron His Excellency the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia President Tony Evans Senior Vice President Jacqueline Ronchi Vice President Ross Dowling Members of Council Allan Blagaich Esme Bowen Freda Crucitti Jill Darby

Tony Evans RAC President

John Driscoll Dalton Gooding Alden Halse Murray Lampard Emmerson Richardson Tim Shanahan Chris Turner Julie Wadley

16562 - Advocacy Admin_Distraction Billboard 4705x1105.indd 1

10/10/2018 11:46:10 AM

ABOVE: Look Up road safety campaign billboard

Horizons / February-March 2019

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YO U R R A C

Member feedback

@racwa @racwa editor@rac.com.au Sign up to receive RAC’s For the Better enews rac.com.au/racenews

A new dolphin calf named Pan has joined the regular visitors on the beach at RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. We shared details of the new arrival with our Facebook followers.  We were there in October learning all about them - lucky enough to feed ‘Surprise’.

Ayesha Smith The dolphin named Surprise has been visiting the beach at Monkey Mia since 1990.

Get social with @RACWA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Tag your snaps with #RACWA and you could feature in Horizons.

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Winning Exchange

Small moment of joy  Yesterday I needed a tyre change at home. Brett from RAC turned up and happily went about his job. Chatting to Brett I asked if he knew anything about Harleys as the battery was flat on my hubby’s motorbike. I explained to him my husband had just got out of hospital after four months due to a recent brain injury and the bike was his passion, but he no longer had the capability to start it. Brett happily said, ‘I can help with that’. I brought my hubby outside and Brett jumpstarted the bike. As it roared into life I saw a big smile on my husband’s face. It made me teary. I just wanted to say this act of kindness brought a whole lot of happiness in months of crappy times. Thanks mate. RAC should be proud to have you on their team. Brigitte Theaker Giglia Read more about life on the road as an RAC Patrol on page 26.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

YO U R R A C

New world of transport Your article “A challenging road ahead” in the December/January issue of Horizons talks of a fairer and more transparent approach for (motoring) taxes. In a couple of decades or so, the number of electric cars on our roads will significantly reduce fuel taxes presently collected by Government. They will be forced into a user charge scheme – not out of any sense of fairness to motorists – but because there will be no other way to raise funds for road infrastructure. Fuel companies and their outlets will also become redundant (I don’t hear too many moans about this). The global reduction of oil consumption might also mean a change to the current world order. Pie in the sky? I don’t think so. We’re entering a whole new world of transport. Michael Cannon

Mermaid Tree memories Your article in the magazine Cruising the Kimberley (Horizons December/January) brought back memories of living up north. The photo of the Mermaid Tree reminded me of a photo with my three children. It was 35 years ago when we were there. We lived on Koolan Island for 10 years and had a 21ft boat which enabled us to see a lot of the area that is now a great tourist area. Wayne Herren This was an entry in our recent pet photo competition that the Horizons team particularly liked – Purdie the blue Burmese knows a good read!

Check the stars There was a recent accident on the Nullarbor when a car travelling at speed and in the dark crashed into the belly of an overturned truck that had blocked the highway. The driver received several broken bones but no life-threatening injuries.

This shows how effective safety standards on modern cars have become. The message is clear - make sure when buying a vehicle that it has a 5-star safety rating. Barry Wealthall Check our list of the 10 safer used cars under $10,000 on page 18.

Send feedback and win Send us your opinions and feedback via Facebook, Twitter, email or post and you could win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance.

For assistance or more information call 13 17 03 or visit rac.com.au Terms and conditions on page 81. Published letters may be edited for style and length.

While we try to respond to all letters we receive, a response cannot be guaranteed.

Horizons / February-March 2019

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14 DAYS | ALICE SPRINGS (RTN) | $11,595 pp twin share Deluxe Camping | Departs Apr – Jun, Aug & Sep 2019* Cross the world’s largest parallel sand dune desert in a convoy of specialized Mercedes Benz 4WD and 6WD vehicles. Camp in comfort with hot showers, flushing loos & exceptional catering!

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15 DAYS | BRISBANE - CAIRNS | $8,895 pp twin share Fully Accommodated | Departs Apr – Sep 2019* Travel from Brisbane to Cairns via the Gulf of Carpentaria and discover the quintessential outback. Highlights include Lawn Hill, Carnarvon Gorge, Winton, Undara Lava Tubes & more!

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The Kimberley

16 DAYS | BROOME - BROOME | $11,695 pp twin share Fully Accommodated | Departs Apr – Sep 2019* Join our most popular Kimberley adventure! Stay in unique safari camps & lodges. Highlights include the Bungle Bungles, Mitchell Plateau, the spectacular Horizontal Falls & more!

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*Conditions apply. Offers apply to selected departure dates within certain periods. Offers may vary depending on month of travel and are not available across all departures.

All flight offers are based on a specific fare class in economy. If fare class is unavailable, a surcharge may apply. Flight offers are return ex Perth & include taxes.

Prices are per person twin share. Must book by 28 Feb 2019. For new bookings only. Enquire or visit our website for more details.

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Travelling from Nhulunbuy to Darwin, you’ll stay in our luxurious safari camps and wilderness lodges, venturing into sacred areas that no other tour operator can access.

Arnhem Land is Aboriginal land, home to the world’s oldest surviving culture.

As part of the adventure, you’ll enjoy authentic cultural experiences with Traditional Owners and see this mystical land through the eyes of those who know it best.

Other highlights to look forward to include: • Discover the Arafura Swamp, the location for the movie ‘Ten Canoes’ • View ancient rock art galleries at Mount Borradaile • Enjoy a Welcome to Country performance & healing demonstration • Explore Victoria Settlement on the Cobourg Peninsula, Circa 1838 • Fish for barramundi & enjoy a host of exceptional marine adventures • Spend 3 nights at the iconic Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge

Call 1800 688 222 for a brochure or visit outbackspirittours.com.au

YO U R R A C

News in brief from the RAC and beyond

Forest rescue It was May 2017 and Peter Butler was one of 16 people enjoying a guided motorcycle tour through WA’s South West.

They were travelling through Pemberton when a freak accident brought Butler’s forest adventure to a sudden and traumatic end.

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As they rode along a forest track, a stick lodged in Butler’s back wheel and catapulted him from the bike.

needed. Emergency services were notified and, due to the terrain, an RAC Rescue helicopter was dispatched.

He became airborne and knew he was in big trouble as his body twisted and flipped.

Butler remembers the noise of the helicopter approaching and landing and the sense of enormous relief. But getting in was tight for the crew. “They actually had to land on the powerline track,” recalls Butler.

“I looked down and I was lifting off the bike. I saw my heel go past my face.

The next thing I knew I was screaming.

“I broke my femur. They were trying to work out whether it had come through the skin. My big concern was my back at that stage because my back felt so weird.”

Butler was unable to move. They were on a narrow dirt track in the forest and a long way from the kind of help he

After being stabilised by the paramedic, Butler was airlifted to the State Trauma Unit at Royal Perth Hospital.

Fortunately, he has made a full recovery.

The two RAC Rescue helicopters, based in Bunbury and Perth, are funded by the State Government, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and sponsored by RAC.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

YO U R R A C

Airbag replacements continue Every day, around 3000 faulty Takata airbags are being replaced in vehicles across Australia as one of the largest ever consumer recalls continues.

Some 2.5 million faulty airbags have already been replaced in around 1.6 million vehicles since 2009, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

In February 2018, the Government enforced strict deadlines on vehicle manufacturers to ensure all potentially deadly airbags are replaced by the end of 2020.

Replacements are being scheduled according to several risk factors, with older vehicles among those being prioritised.

If deployed in a crash, the faulty airbags can propel metal fragments at great force and seriously injure or even kill a vehicle occupant. One death in Australia has already been attributed to a faulty Takata airbag.

Vehicle owners who have been contacted as part of the recall are urged to take immediate action.

To check if your vehicle is part of the recall, visit ismyairbagsafe.com.au For more about the airbag recall see Car Doctor on page 57.

Drop to 40 As children return to school in early February and activity around schools increases, remember to take extra care when driving through designated school zones and always slow down to 40km/h.

Along with static signs displaying the school speed zone times, many schools now have electronic signs that flash during the hours that the 40km/h speed restriction applies.

On school days, 40km/h zones are in force from 7.30am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm.

Why you shouldn’t overfill your tank Trying to squeeze as much petrol into your car as possible at the bowser is a habit you should reconsider.

A petrol pump’s automatic shut-off will kick in just before the tank is completely full to ensure any overflow is avoided and to allow some space for fuel vapours.

Modern cars have a system designed to minimise the amount of fuel vapours which escape into the atmosphere by instead trapping them inside a carbon canister. Trapped vapours are then later able to be burnt off in the engine.

Overfilling brings the potential for fuel to enter the canister and possibly damage it, which can lead to fuel vapours escaping and polluting the atmosphere.

A carbon canister which is working properly will help your car make use of those vapours, optimising its efficiency.

If you overfill, it could also result in fuel being spilled on to the ground or on to you, which is both dangerous and a waste of money.

Once you hear that first clunk of the petrol pump shutting off, it’s time to stop trying to squeeze any more into the tank.

Giant ‘crash cushion’ protects at roadside The roadside can be a highly dangerous workplace. Those who attend incidents on our roads and freeways, like our RAC patrols, are in constant danger from oncoming traffic.

To help keep RAC’s roadside responders and members of the public safer during roadside incidents, RAC is trialling the use of a vehicle known as an Impact Prevention Vehicle (IPV) to provide a shield on the road.

The IPV is positioned at a breakdown to help protect those at the scene

Horizons / February-March 2019

should there be a collision. It acts like a crash cushion, absorbing the impact of any vehicle that may veer off from the traffic flow and into the site of the breakdown.

It is currently being trialled at incidents attended by tow trucks and Patrols from RAC Roadside Assistance on the Kwinana and Mitchell freeways.

Since it was first deployed in June last year, the IPV has been dispatched to hundreds of events on Perth’s freeways, helping to protect the lives of those at the scene. The trial will continue until June this year.

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YO U R R A C

Preparing our next generation of drivers Drivers aged 20 to 29 accounted for the highest number of fatalities on Western Australian roads in 2017. That makes them some of our most vulnerable road users.

crash, with nearly 8000 Year 10 to 12 students from 90 schools coming along to the RAC Arena to watch the re-enactment last year.

Making sure our young people have the best preparation behind the wheel starts a long time before they actually get into the driver’s seat.

RAC general manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, says early intervention is the key.

Each year RAC delivers road safety education to schools in all corners of the State, equipping future generations of drivers with the knowledge and skills to stay safe as they travel.

Last financial year, the RAC Community Education team provided more than 1000 lessons to almost 50,000 primary and secondary students. With rural communities a key focus for RAC, the team also drove more than 8000km to deliver lessons throughout the regions.

Our young driver education programs focus on teaching our new and soonto-be drivers about the effects of alcohol, speed, reckless behaviour and inattention.

In addition to lessons delivered in schools, each year RAC coordinates the State’s biggest road safety event — RAC bstreetsmart.

It is a confronting re-enactment of a serious car crash, pulled together with the help of the WA Police Force, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, St John Ambulance and Royal Perth Hospital.

The hope is that students get a better picture of the reality of a car

“We want to help change young driver attitudes by ensuring future generations of drivers have a good understanding of road safety and the consequences of bad decisions,” he says.

“The earlier we can act the more likely we are to have success changing these behaviours.”

RAC’s Community Education program is supported through ongoing partnerships with the Paraplegic Benefit Fund, School Sport WA and Network Teach.

7900 Year 10-12 students experienced RAC bstreetsmart in 2018

50k

WA students received road safety education in 2017/18

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8000km That’s how far RAC’s road safety educators drove in 2017/18

February-March 2019 / Horizons

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EVENTS

What’s on

Events around the state in February and March

Perth Festival

8 February – 3 March Various venues Each year the Perth Festival brings the best local, national and international artists to Perth audiences. Be sure to visit Kings Park for Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak, to see the Park transformed by light, sound and imagery. Another stand out is the exciting Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam performing Lang Toi. Toni Wilkinson

perthfestival.com.au

ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth

14-17 February Lake Karrinyup Country Club This dynamic new golf format combines 54 holes of traditional stroke play across the first three days, with a six-hole knockout match for the fourth and final round. The event, now in its third year in Perth, attracts golfing talent from around the world. worldsuper6perth.com

Boyup Brook Country Music Festival 15-17 February

Boyup Brook comes alive every February when the country music festival rolls in. The family-friendly festival attracts campers, caravanners, and country music fans from across WA for a few days of music on the Blackwood River. This year’s line up includes Beccy Cole. countrymusicwa.com.au

Nannup Music Festival 1-4 March

Now in its 30th year, the Nannup Music Festival has become a muchanticipated event on the WA music calendar. Head to Nannup to celebrate all things music, art, nature, and community with a wide range of free and ticketed events over the weekend. nannupmusicfestival.org

Horizons / February-March 2019

Boorna Waanginy

Sculpture by the Sea 1-18 March Cottesloe

Set on Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach, this annual seaside exhibition transforms the beachfront with stunning sculptures from Australian and international artists. Last year, the event was enjoyed by more than 200,000 visitors. sculpturebythesea.com/cottesloe

Crab Fest Mandurah 16-17 March

Head to Mandurah for a taste of the coastal lifestyle and to celebrate the native blue manna crab. The largest free regional community event in WA with great local produce, Crab Fest includes live performances, children’s entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and more. crabfest.com.au

Perth Caravan and Camping Show

20-24 March Claremont Showground This annual showcase of all things caravanning and camping will feature more than 300 caravans, 130 camper

trailers, and plenty of gadgets and accessories for your next road trip.

Whether you want to upgrade your existing set up or are just starting out, WA’s biggest caravan and camping show is what you need. caravanandcampingshow.com.au

RAC Karri Valley Tri

23-24 March RAC Karri Valley Resort Set at the stunning RAC Karri Valley Resort near Pemberton, this triathlon showcases the beauty of the South West with a challenge for athletes.

Participants will swim in the fresh waters of Lake Beedelup before cycling through the karri forest, then soaking up the picturesque resort and surrounds on the final leg. stadiumtriclub.com/karri-valley-tri

X-Adventure Dunsborough 30-31 March

This epic adventure triathlon is Australia’s largest off-road triathlon. Set in beautiful Dunsborough, it features a Long Course, Short Course, Aquathlon (swim/run) and two children’s races.

You can go solo or team up with friends. rapidascent.com.au/xadventure

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MOTORING

BETTER SAFE TO BE

Picking a safer car to buy could mean the difference between walking away from a crash or suffering life-changing injuries. Here’s how to choose the right one on a tight budget.

If you can remember sliding around in the back seat of Dad’s car as he drove around a corner you probably weren’t wearing a seatbelt because there were none in the back. Or you just didn’t want to wear one.

Fast forward to 2019 and, compared with the cars Australian mums and dads were popping their kids into four or five decades ago, today’s family car is a haven of advanced safety features.

Each year, more and more life-saving safety technology becomes standard in our cars. But not all of us have the latest model with the best in safety features. In fact, WA drivers, on average, are driving cars that are around 11 years old. Older cars often lack many of todays life-saving features and are therefore rated lower for safety.

For those who can’t afford the latest or simply prefer to buy used vehicles, the importance of choosing one that provides good occupant protection and crash avoidance is critical.

Fortunately, there is now a good range of safe used cars to choose from, and an easy way to find them.

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Each year, RAC releases its Used Car Safety Ratings guide which uses a star rating system to rate the safety of a large range of used vehicles according to how well each protects its driver, occupants and other road users from death or serious injury.

If you’re involved in a crash, a car with the highest 5-star used car safety rating could mean the difference between walking away or being seriously injured or killed.

“A driver in the worst vehicle rated in the Used Car Safety ratings guide is in fact 10 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than a driver in the safest,” says Alex Forrest, RAC manager vehicles and fuels.

The 2018 guide rated 296 vehicle models across 15 different categories.

Forrest says the ratings give car buyers independent advice to help them choose a used car that will provide better protection in a crash, or even help the driver avoid a crash altogether.

“Prior to purchasing a secondhand car, we urge drivers to check the used car safety rating and choose a vehicle which has been awarded five stars, and ideally one with a Safer Pick rating.”

The Used Car Safety Ratings provide invaluable safety information for WA motorists looking to purchase a used vehicle, showing that buyers can choose a safe car without breaking the budget.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

MOTORING

10 SAFER USED CARS under $10,000 To see the full Used Car Safety Ratings guide, visit rac.com.au/usedcars Prices based on average advertised used car sales prices in Western Australia during October 2018.

Excludes govt. charges. *Safer pick.

MEDIUM Ford Mondeo* 2007-2015 From $6200 PROS Lots of space, good equipment levels CONS Limited market when you come to resell

MEDIUM Subaru Liberty/ Legacy/Outback/ Exiga* 2009-2014 From $8500 PROS Very reliable, good safety and overall build quality, allwheel drive CONS Short servicing intervals (every six months)

LIGHT Honda City 2009-2013 From $7000

SMALL Audi A3 2004-2013 From $7800

PROS Fuel efficient and lots of cargo space for its size CONS It can be noisy when under load

PROS Sporty handling, clever safety electronics, good interior CONS Maintenance and repair costs, limited buying choices

MEDIUM Volkswagen Passat* 2006-2015 From $5500

LARGE Holden Statesman/ Caprice WM/WN* 2006-2016 From $9900

PROS Refined, well designed interiors, good handling CONS Reliability patchy on some specific models, dual clutch gearbox surges at low speed

PROS Roomy interior, rear-drive handling, cheap, good looks CONS V6s and V8s thirsty on fuel, interior build quality average

LARGE Ford Falcon FG/FG-X 2008-2016 From $5000

MEDIUM SUV Nissan X-Trail T31 2007-2014 From $7000

MEDIUM SUV Mazda CX-7* 2006-2012 From $8300

MEDIUM SUV Hyundai Santa Fe CM 2006-2012 From $6500

PROS Lots of leg and head room in the front and rear CONS Not very fuel efficient, poor refinement and build quality

PROS Hugely popular so plenty of buying choices, compact size but looks somewhat rugged CONS Continuously variable transmission not reliable in early models, average interior quality

PROS General reliability, roomy inside, turbo petrol’s perky performance CONS Turbo petrol engine is thirsty on fuel, interior has hard plastics

PROS Many features for the money, fuel efficient diesel, seven seats, lots of space CONS Early diesels can be rattly.

The post-2009 R-series diesel is less rattly

Horizons / February-March 2019

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O U R S TAT E

HIGH PRESSURE Staying ahead of WA’s weather extremes From weird and wonderful wind vortexes to tropical cyclones, Western Australia is home to all kinds of extreme weather events.

Indigo Storm Photography

By Vanessa Pogorelic

Horizons / February-March 2019

21

O U R S TAT E

Late one Tuesday afternoon in March 2010, nature unleashed its fury across Perth with a weather event the likes of which many locals had never experienced before.

A hailstorm tore across the metropolitan area catching almost everyone unawares – everyone except the team at WA’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Looking into the future

The thunderstorm that created the damaging hailstones wasn’t unexpected, says BOM’s Neil Bennett.

Bennett has been monitoring the weather for more than 40 years and says he is in awe of the way the science has advanced.

“The intensity of that storm you don’t get very often in Perth,” says Bennett.

“We usually get that kind of severe thunderstorm further to the east in the Wheatbelt.”

Forecasting and our ability to ‘see into the future’ of weather has come a long way since the first weather satellite went into orbit in the 1960s.

“If you’d said to me back then that we’d be able to forecast rainfall amounts in four days’ time for every six kilometres… well it was just not feasible then,” says Bennett.

Bureau of Meteorology

But weather is essentially a chaotic system, so it does have a habit of throwing up surprises.

WA holds the title for the strongest wind gust ever recorded.

It was 408km/h and walloped Barrow Island during tropical cyclone Olivia in 1996.

22

“At automated weather stations we can interrogate the weather data that’s collected every minute if we need to.

“We also use data from other states and other countries. There’s more than 200 global signatories to an agreement to freely exchange this data, so it’s truly a world collaboration.”

For all the highly sophisticated technology, the perception that the forecasters often ‘get it wrong’ remains, however Bennett says the Bureau’s strike rate is actually quite high.

“On next-day forecasts we’re in excess of 90 per cent accuracy and our fourday forecasts are as accurate as our two-day forecasts,” he says.

“For temperature, if we’re within three degrees, we consider that a successful forecast. No one really notices the difference between 28 and 29.

“For a 100 per cent accurate forecast, you would need to measure every

Bureau of Meteorology

What the BOM team hadn’t seen coming that March day was the severity of the storm and, of course, the size of the hailstones.

Today, the business of weather prediction involves an enormous amount of science and technology.

“Today we’re using some of the most sophisticated technology that there is.

We have some of the most powerful computers in Australia with satellites and radar and just over 90 weather stations around WA.

LEFT: A BOM crew member at the site of a rain gauge in the Kimberley checks the gauge communications box; ABOVE: A forecaster in Perth uses Tropical Cyclone Module software to help track and predict tropical cyclone activity.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

single element of the atmosphere across every single point on the planet.

“Quantum computing also holds exciting prospects for weather forecasting because you’ll be able to crunch more data and more scenarios.

“But we will be forever chasing ourselves because as you get more accurate, people’s expectations just increase.”

Indigo Storm Photography

“We can’t currently do that, but with the new generation of satellites there will be more improvements.

However, Bennett says a world where everyone will be able to tell the weather is not that far off.

“We’re on the cusp of an absolute explosion of new technology,” he says.

“In the future there will be virtual reality displays. The public will be able to interrogate the system for themselves and maybe ask, ‘I’m getting married at a certain time so what’s the likelihood of the temperature being above or below average?’

The wind sure does blow

Westpix

“It’s going to be mind-blowing what’s going to come out of it.”

While hailstones can wreak havoc, typically in WA we are known for our wind, and for good reason.

TOP: A lightning storm over Nangeenan in the Wheatbelt; BOTTOM: The Perth storm of March 2010 produced hailstones the size of golf balls.

WA holds the title for the strongest wind gust ever recorded. It was 408km/h and walloped Barrow Island during tropical cyclone Olivia in 1996.

Water spouts have also been known to cross from water to land.

WA also experiences twisting vortextype winds, formed by rising air which, as it changes speed or direction, creates a rotating motion.

These vortex-type winds are responsible for creating water spouts, often caught on camera by enthusiastic locals, as they skim across the ocean.

“In Perth, one came to shore a few years ago and threw some cars around,” he says. “A gentleman on a building site was picked up and thrown against a wall. The winds in them are very strong.”

The inland cousin of the water spout is the dust devil, or willy-willy, formed in the same way as the water spout but with dust rotating inside.

“If conditions are right, water spouts can develop when a fresh sea breeze moves in over the land,” says Bennett.

“We get hay devils in the Wheatbelt, too,” says Bennett. “You’ll see the spinning motion because of the hay being drawn up into the air.”

“It can even happen when there are clear blue skies.”

Wind can also create significant temperature variations across the

Horizons / February-March 2019

metropolitan area. In summer, when the sea breeze is in, temperatures can vary as much as 10 to 15 degrees from Perth’s coast in the west to the hills in the east.

During the winter months, it’s the strong cold fronts that are packing a punch.

And in spring, particularly early in the season, we get strong winds due to the contrast between increasing inland temperatures and the cool ocean.

Fortunately, for those who like a little less motion in the air, autumn generally brings with it some relief from the windy extremes. So, this autumn, enjoy the calm while you can.

23

Sunday Sunset

BELOW: A storm heading towards Canal Rocks in WA’s South West.

Five things you may not know about WA weather Where do we get the most lightning in WA? If you’re into lightning, then go to the North East Kimberley during the wet season from November to April.

very fast-moving winds in the middle part of the atmosphere. We have two jet streams in WA - the polar front jet stream and the subtropical jet stream.

During the wet, conditions in the Kimberley are just right for lightning, when warm air from the hot ground moves upwards to form big thunderstorm clouds.

The polar front jet stream occurs in the boundary between the cold air from the south and warmer air from the north. The subtropical jet stream blows from west to east so aircraft will try to use it when flying from Perth to Sydney or Melbourne.

If you find yourself close to a lightning storm, remember to take shelter - but not under a tree. If the tree gets hit, the lightning could strike you, and the sap could be vaporised and explode outwards.

If you’re in a car don’t touch the body of the car or anything metal inside it. If you’re out in the open with no other shelter, try and make yourself as small as possible by crouching down into a ball and putting your hands over your head.

Why is it quicker to fly from Perth to the east coast than it is to fly back?

It’s because of the subtropical jet stream. A jet stream is an area of

24

The polar front jet stream is more evident in WA during the winter months in the South West while the subtropical jet stream is present for the whole year.

Where are Perth’s daily temperature readings taken?

They are taken at Mt Lawley weather station, which means the recorded temperatures you hear about every day were recorded in Mt Lawley.

Temperatures across metropolitan Perth can vary by as much as 10-15 degrees from one side of the city to the other, especially during summer when the coast will be cooler than the Perth Hills.

How strong can the wind blow in WA? The wind in WA is world beating.

The world’s strongest recorded wind gust was at WA’s Barrow Island – it was 408km/h recorded during tropical cyclone Olivia on 10 April 1996.

The strongest gust ever recorded on mainland Australia was also in WA. It blew at 267km/h and was recorded at a weather station at Learmonth, south of Exmouth, during tropical cyclone Vance on 22 March 1999.

Are there people based at weather stations around WA? Not many. The Bureau of Meteorology has just over 90 weather stations around WA and most are automated.

However, Albany, Broome, Cocos Island, Esperance, Geraldton and Perth Airport are both manned and partially automated.

Weather stations are situated to avoid interference from the built environment, such as roads, pavement and buildings which could interfere with the information being recorded, including heat retained by road surfaces affecting temperature readings.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

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YO U R R A C

GOING THE

EXTRA MILE

By Wendy Caccetta

From dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters to rescuing motorists in sticky situations, RAC’s longest serving patrol has some great tales to tell.

RAC patrol Chris Seivers thought he’d seen motorists in just about every predicament possible until he was called out to a job in Maylands that remains one of his most unusual in nearly four decades on WA roads.

Seivers arrived at the address to find a woman standing on the back of her car - a Mini - which was hanging precariously over an embankment.

26

Sitting trapped inside the car was her husband who was staring down a two metre drop and possible injury after starting in gear and driving through the back wall of their garage.

“The reason the woman was on the back was to counter-balance the vehicle,” Seivers says.

“After 40 years of doing this job there is no such thing as normal or mundane.”

“The car had a tow ball and I quickly put a rope around it and wrenched it back. Luckily for her husband, this woman had planted herself on the

back and luckily someone was in the house and called us for them.”

Seivers, 69, has been on the road with RAC Roadside Assistance longer than anyone in the current team. Arriving at countless rescues in his patrol van, he has been a welcome sight for three generations of Perth motorists.

“It’s like a badge,” he says. “We’re on the frontline when people need help and that comes with a certain amount of responsibility.”

The early days The many thousands of hours Seivers has spent on patrol spans a big chunk of RAC Roadside Assistance history in WA, which began in Perth in 1926 and in Northam and Bunbury in 1928.

Seivers was an auto electrician

February-March 2019 / Horizons

YO U R R A C

when he joined RAC in 1979 to maintain its fleet vehicles. A year later he became a patrol with RAC Roadside Assistance, just as the 1980s got underway.

Back then Blondie and Kate Bush ruled the music charts, big hair and mullets were coming into their own and the roads were a different place.

In those days Seivers’ RAC patrol car was a yellow Ford Escort sedan. He wore a brown uniform, used a basic tool kit to repair cars on the spot and thought on his feet.

“Back then we repaired vehicles,” he says. “You were filing points up and pulling out plugs and cleaning them. You don’t do that now because vehicles aren’t built like that anymore.

It was a wonderful time.”

Changing times

Moments to remember One of the single biggest rescue operations undertaken by RAC patrols was in the aftermath of the autumn hailstorm of March 2010 — what Seivers calls the “Perthocalypse”.

“I remember working down in Nedlands. Vehicles had been washed down the road into the gully and there were six vehicles down the bottom, some on the footpath, some halfway across the road and some in the gutter,” he says.

“I got ropes and pulled these vehicles apart, and lined them up down the road. We pulled the spark plugs out, pumped the water out of the cylinder and put the plugs back in.

“Some fired up. Some didn’t.”

On Seivers’ watch there have been big changes, especially in technology.

As cars became more computerised, so did the equipment carried by patrols.

Although Seivers gets great satisfaction from getting members’ cars up and running again, he says it’s the people you meet along the way that are at the heart of what a patrol does.

“Now we still use hand tools but intermingled with diagnostic tools,” Seivers says.

One motorist, whose car broke down beyond repair in North Perth, had

been living in the vehicle and also needed it to get to work. It was the days before mobile phones and as she was so upset, Seiver’s didn’t want to leave her on her own.

“She was very distraught,” he says.

“So we sat and talked. Eventually

It’s the people you meet along the way that are at the heart of what a patrol does. this wonderful woman from across the street came over, wondering what was going on. She offered to look after her, to call a friend of the member and make her a cuppa.”

As for the future, Seivers says he has no immediate plans for retirement and hopes to remain on patrol until he is 75.

“It’s the challenge that keeps me going,” he says. “After 40 years of doing this job there is no such thing as normal or mundane.”

After donning blue shirts and polos in the ’90s, patrols now wear high visibility gear. The old radio and microphone that linked them with base has been replaced with data communication, and map books have given way to GPS. Even the type of breakdowns have changed, Seivers says.

“Stats will tell you that batteries and tyre problems are our most frequent callouts, but then you can do a shift sometimes without those issues and have cooling systems, transmissions, keys locked in vehicles, with the occasional vehicle running out of fuel.

Horizons / February-March 2019

Photography: Stewart Allen

“But if you look at our tow rate compared to about 40 years ago, it’s relatively the same because newer vehicles break down less. But when they do break down, they really do break down and you have to tow them,” he says.

27

MOTORING

Eight steps

TO CHANGE A FLAT TYRE 1

2

To safely change a tyre, you’ll need to be on flat, hard ground.

Firmly apply the handbrake and turn on your hazard lights if you’re on the side of the road. Before you start, check the condition of your spare tyre.

Place wheel chocks on the tyre opposite to the flat to stop the car from rolling when it’s jacked up. You can use a brick, a piece of wood or even a rock if you don’t have a wheel chock.

5

6

Check your car owner’s manual to see exactly where to place the jack. If you jack up a car in the wrong spot, it can come crashing down and injure you. Using the jack, slowly raise the car until it’s at least 6cm off the ground, allowing enough room to get the flat tyre off and the inflated spare tyre on.

28

Remove the loosened nuts, firmly grip the flat tyre by the outer edges and slowly pull it toward you to take it off. Line up your spare tyre with the car’s bolts or holes, lift it up then slide it onto the hub. Replace the nuts and tighten them but don’t over-tighten.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

MOTORING

Tip

No idea how to change a tyre?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you back on the road fast.

Many new cars only have a space-saver tyre which will tide you over for a short trip until you can get a replacement tyre.

Be sure to read your owner’s manual for your space-saver tyre restrictions.

Watch our ‘changing a flat tyre’

If you need new tyres and don’t want to change them yourself, RAC’s mobile service can come to you, with new tyres, and fit them on the spot. Call 1300 651 042.

video at rac.com.au/changeatyre

3

Remove the hubcap of the flat tyre. You may need to prise it off with the sharp end of the wrench or a similar tool.

7

Slowly lower the car using the jack. Once all the weight is off the jack, remove it from underneath the car.

Horizons / February-March 2019

4

Using the wrench, loosen all lug nuts by applying force in an anticlockwise direction but don’t take them off completely.

Get them to a point where you can turn them by hand.

8

Use your wrench to tighten the lugs the rest of the way. They should be fully secure but not over-tightened. It’s worth rechecking that the nuts are still tight after the car has been driven 5 – 10km and checking the tyre pressure on the spare tyre.

29

T R AV E L

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

Tackling Western Australia’s famous Gibb River Road is the ultimate outback adventure best completed with a well-equipped four-wheel drive. But there is another way to tackle the Gibb.

By Leah McLennan

Horizons / February-March 2019

31

T R AV E L

Arguably WA’s most iconic outback driving experience, the 660km Gibb River Road is a rugged, mostly dirt and gravel road that winds through the heart of the ancient Kimberley.

Stretching from Derby to Kununurra, a trip along ‘the Gibb’ will immerse you in all the wonders of the region, including spectacular gorges, cascading waterfalls and vast stations.

Each year one group of intrepid adventurers take conquering this rugged track to a whole new level, doing it on a bicycle as part of the Gibb Challenge - an annual charity bike ride.

“Our event is intentionally restricted to enhance the safety and enjoyment of our participants,” Rimmer says.

“300 is an ideal number, though we have stretched it closer to 400 on a couple of occasions.”

Last year’s ride, which finished on 17 May, raised more than half a million

dollars for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and left riders exhilarated, exhausted and very, very dirty.

During the event, riders camped overnight at Imintji Aboriginal Community, Mount Elizabeth and Ellenbrae stations and at the upmarket Home Valley Station, before the final push into El Questro Wilderness Park, which encompasses one million acres of untamed beauty.

For Rimmer, the best slice of the track is the stretch from Ellenbrae to Home Valley Station.

Battling the elements Travelling the Gibb River Road by fourwheel drive is tricky enough; doing it on a bike sounds like a challenge best left to hardcore adventurers.

But every year, around 300 people from all walks of life climb into the bike saddle for a wild outback ride, raising money for charity along the way.

With the Gibb Challenge now in its 12th year, founder and event director Simon Rimmer says last year’s five-day bike ride was “insane”, with great weather conditions but strong headwinds nearly blowing riders backwards each day.

“Our dusty peloton faced fierce and unrelenting 55km/h headwinds – a feature not experienced in any previous edition of the Gibb Challenge. I got pushed back up at least two hills.”

In 2018, cyclists came from almost every state and territory in Australia to do the Gibb Challenge. International riders came from as far away as Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. All up there were 277 riders in 61 teams.

Photography: Leah McLennan

About 70 per cent of those riders were taking on the Gibb for the first time.

TOP RIGHT: Kirsten Warr (left) from the foursome Fat Bottomed Girls; BOTTOM RIGHT: founder and event director Simon Rimmer and riders.

32

February-March 2019 / Horizons

ABOVE: The Riding for Angels team

“It’s one of the most scenic stages of the event and takes riders through the stunning Kimberley landscape with features including Rolly’s and Gregory’s jump ups, and the lookout towards the Cockburn Range.”

Personal experiences For participants Todd and Dianne Prest from the Northern Territory, taking part in the Gibb Challenge was deeply personal.

Without any mountain biking experience, the couple became involved when Todd’s brother Scott decided to participate.

With riders able to nominate a second charity other than the principal charity to raise funds for, Scott Prest chose the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics Australia. Todd and Dianne’s son Daniel has Angelman Syndrome, a rare, debilitating genetical disorder.

Prior to the ride, Dianne Prest’s cycling experience included “occasionally taking the kids to the park”. She got a mountain bike for Christmas just five months before the event.

The team called themselves Riding for Angels and included family member Cindy Prest. Cindy only received her loaned mountain bike one day before the event.

Horizons / February-March 2019

“Even with the unwanted head winds and the cold nights, everyone had an excellent adventure and came away unscathed.”

lookout, although crossing the line at El Questro, being adorned with the finishing medal and the subsequent team hug will be a moment hard to forget.”

Kirsten Warr was one of a farming foursome from the mid-west Wheatbelt called Fat Bottomed Girls.

Beyond expectations

Around 300 people from all walks of life climb into the bike saddle for a wild outback ride, raising money for charity along the way.

She says the teams’ name, which refers to the tyre size of their bikes, “provided a whole lot of fodder for banter along the Gibb.”

The May date for the ride was a little tricky on the farm, say Warr. “Basically, we filled the freezers and left the husbands to their seeding programs in what is the busiest and most stressful time of year on the farm – sorry fellas!”

While the ride was “bloody tough” and the headwinds extremely challenging, the scenery made it all worth the hard yakka, she says.

“A personal highlight would have to be the ride into Home Valley Station with the incredible view after the slog up to the

Since its inception, the Gibb Challenge has raised more than $7 million for several charities.

Rimmer, a police officer, started the fundraising ride in 2007, when he and his wife Anna were living in Broome.

Expecting it to interest about “25 riders or so”, the Gibb Challenge now gets more applications than it has places to offer.

“You pinch yourself when you think about it,” says Rimmer. “It’s grown well beyond my expectations”.

The 2019 Gibb Challenge has once again selected the RFDS as its principal beneficiary - a good fit given the seeds for the service were sown in the Kimberley.

For more details about this year’s event visit thegibbchallenge.com.au

Hit the road Prefer to take on the Gibb River Road by four-wheel drive? See our driving itinerary on page 42 for key highlights on and off the Gibb.

33

WIN

COMPETITION

A 19-day rail, cruise and coach holiday in New Zealand

at Valued $15,000

Soak up the stunning autumn colours of New Zealand on a trip for two people that will take you on unforgettable rail journeys, scenic cruises and a guided coach tour.

The tour takes in New Zealand’s ‘best of’ attractions. Four spectacular rail journeys – Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Coastal Pacific Rail Journey, the world-renowned TranzAlpine and the Silver Fern Seasider Rail Journey – will show you much of New Zealand’s incredible scenery.

Then see it a different way from the water with five scenic cruises, including an overnight cruise on the beautiful Milford Sound. You’ll also enjoy two-night stopovers at key destinations, including the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin.

Departing 21 April 2019

Your prize for two includes

Return airfares from Perth Personalised meet and greet on arrival with return airport transfers in New Zealand Modern coach travel with professional coach captain and tour guide 17 nights staying in four-star hotel accommodation

34

How to enter

Milford Sound overnight cruise Six two-night stays at key destinations All sightseeing and prepaid attractions, including four rail journeys and five cruises 18 cooked breakfasts, 14 dinners, one picnic lunch and two morning teas

Complete the online entry form at rac.com.au/newzealand, or Send your name, phone number and membership number to: Horizons/New Zealand GPO Box 2948, Perth WA 6800 See page 81 for terms and conditions.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

New Zealand and Grand Pacific Tours Travelling New Zealand on a Grand Pacific Tours Coach Holiday means you experience the best locations and kiwi hospitality at an all-inclusive, affordable price. There are five styles of touring to choose from: Affordable, Signature, Ultimate Small Group, Cruise and Coach and Special Interest including Festive Season, Solo Travellers and Aviation Tours.

Relax in armchair comfort as you travel through each region, in the hands of a professional coach captain and tour guide with extensive local knowledge.

Horizons / February-March 2019

ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock.com

Yevgen Belich / Shutterstock.com

Grand Pacific Tours is the New Zealand coach holiday specialist offering a professional and personalised service where everything is taken care of, so you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking beauty around you. Visit gptnz.com

35

COME CLOSER TO HONOUR AT FIELD OF LIGHT ALBANY

Visit Albany this summer and experience a Field of Light tour at Albany’s Heritage Park. See the spectacular vista of 16,000 lights illuminated under a canopy of trees, like a field of wildflowers after the rain. Tours operate until 25 April 2019.

-

RAC members save 15% on Field of Light Tours. Enter Code RAC FOL

www.theamazingsouthcoast.com/field-of-light Photograph by Mark Pickthall, courtesy of the Bruce Munro Studio

HalfPage Ad F.indd 1

6/12/18 2:17 pm

T R AV E L

Travel brief Event showcases South West forest wonders

News and info for travellers

Four travel myths busted Aeroplane air conditioning spreads germs: The air circulated through an aircraft cabin is actual very clean, probably more so than other enclosed environments you might find yourself in on the ground.

Passenger aircraft have highly effective particulate air filters which remove most airborne microbes.

1

Group tours are more expensive than doing your own thing: Group tour operators can often secure good deals on accommodation, meals and transport costs because they get, well, a group discount. With a group tour, all your essential costs are covered so you also know exactly what you’re up for without incurring any big additional costs along the way.

2

You can enjoy a spectacle of a different kind in the karri forests of Pemberton when the RAC Karri Valley Triathlon kicks off this March.

Now in its 16th year, the Triathlon will be held on the weekend of 23 and 24 March, making use of the forest and lake setting at RAC Karri Valley Resort, with competitors swimming across stunning Lake Beedelup, before cycling under the canopy of karri trees and running along forest tracks to the finish line.

If you’re on site for the event, remember to also take a look at RAC Karri Valley Resort’s impressive makeover. Last year, the iconic South West retreat was transformed to create a world-class forest resort. And there are more exciting changes to come.

To experience the transformation for yourself, book on 1800 871 570 or visit racparksandresorts.com.au

Pet-friendly camper vans If you can never find enough pet-friendly accommodation for your family road trips around WA, here’s a great option for your next holiday.

Hire an Apollo campervan and you can take your dog along with you in the camper. It means no one misses out on the family holiday, and saves you kennelling fees or having to find a dog-sitter.

To find out more visit rac.com.au/apollo

RAC members save 10% on campervan hire

Horizons / February-March 2019

You get jetlag from lack of sleep: Not being able to sleep in an aeroplane seat can certainly make you weary but lack of sleep isn’t what causes the condition known as jet lag - it’s the change in time zones, which disrupts your body’s natural sleep/wake cycle or circadian rhythms. Once your body clock is out of kilter lots of other things get thrown out of balance too.

It can be worse flying long-haul from west to east.

3

You can’t get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition: If you’re in full health you’re lucky because many people live with a variety of conditions. As with every travel insurance policy, it’s a matter of finding one that fits and there are options for getting cover even with a pre-existing medical condition. RAC Travel Insurance covers many preexisting medical conditions. Visit rac.com.au/travelinsurance

4

37

Dolphins are just the beginning of your adventure

Top 5 things to do in Monkey Mia: » Meet the friendly dolphins » Hire a kayak and explore Shark Bay » Set sail on a catamaran cruise » Explore Shell Beach, one of only two beaches in the world made of cockle shells » Dine at the Boughshed Restaurant at sunset

Stay in brand new luxurious 2 and 3 bedroom beachfront villas or camp under the stars. The newly developed RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort also features new camp kitchens, recreational room and ablutions, second swimming pool including children’s pool and 120 caravan and camp sites, with some positioned on the beachfront.

Call 1800 871 570, or visit racparksandresorts.com.au

Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

*Terms and conditions apply. Discount varies according to season. See website for full details.

RAC Parks & Resorts » Busselton » Cervantes » Exmouth » Karri Valley » Margaret River » Monkey Mia » Ningaloo

T R AV E L

TOP FIVE WA

r oad Tr ips We asked West Aussies to tell us which of the many WA road trips rates as the West’s best. You voted, we counted.

With more than 2.5 million square kilometres to explore, Western Australia is nearly as big as the whole of Western Europe, with an incredible diversity of landscapes and unique attractions.

From the stark red-dirt beauty of Kununurra down to the powderwhite beaches of Esperance, there are many different routes and roads you can drive to take in all WA

has to offer. It’s easy to see why we’re called the ‘road trip State’.

But there must be a winner.

So here are the five best WA road trips, as voted by you, starting with number one.

To see full itineraries for even more WA road trips, visit rac.com.au/greatdrives

Trip planning Taking your own WA road trip?

RAC can help you on your way.



For WA maps and guides visit rac.com.au/shop For car rental visit

 rac.com.au/thrifty

and for campervan hire rac.com.au/apollo Don’t forget to buy a National

 Park pass before you leave – members save 50 per cent. rac.com.au/nationalparks

Horizons / February-March 2019

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T R AV E L

Winner

Distance Approx. 830km

Perth to Pemberton and Margaret River

When to visit All year round with AugustNovember best for wildflowers

This much-loved road trip takes you through WA’s spectacular South West, winding through giant karri trees, passing through vineyards, and finding its way to the bright blue waters of the coast.

Itinerary Perth, Jarrahdale, Serpentine, Collie, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Manjimup, Pemberton, Northcliffe, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury, Perth

Starting in Perth, take the inland route along South Western Highway passing Dwellingup, then head to historic Collie with its inland lakes.

From Collie, continue towards the tall timbers of Pemberton for even more lush scenery.

Along the way, visit the quaint towns of Boyup Brook and Bridgetown.

Then it’s on to iconic Margaret River, where the paddocks are filled with grapes and the coast has some of the world’s best surf.

On your way back to Perth, stop off and see the cows in Cowaramup, visit Peppermint Grove beach near Capel, grab lunch in Bunbury and make it home in time for dinner.

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Tips for travel Pack an appetite and good walking shoes - there’s plenty of world-class fresh produce and scenic walk trails.

Highlights National Parks, early settler historical sites, art galleries, Aboriginal cultural centres, wine regions, wildflowers, beaches, forests, caves, access to adventure activities CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Driving through karri trees near Pemberton; walking through the vines at Wills Domain, Margaret River; surfing at Boodjidup Beach, Margaret River.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

T R AV E L Distance Approx. 2900km When to visit April-July for whale sharks and March-November for milder temperatures Itinerary Perth, Cervantes, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Shark Bay, Kalbarri, Perth Tips for travel Don’t forget to take a snorkel.

The Coral Coast is perfect for exploring underwater, especially at Ningaloo Reef.

Take plenty of breaks on this long drive and swap drivers where possible.

Highlights Pinnacles, wildflowers at Lesueur National Park, whale sharks, snorkelling in Coral Bay, Ningaloo Marine Park, dolphins at Monkey Mia, gorges at Kalbarri National Park, pink lake

Runner-up The Coral Coast - Perth to Exmouth Chase the sun along the Coral Coast with this beachside road trip all the way from Perth to Exmouth, and back.

Heading up the Indian Ocean Drive from Perth, your first stop is Nambung National Park to see the Pinnacles rock formations. Grab a bite to eat at Jurien Bay or Dongara before stopping at Geraldton overnight to break up the long trip.

At your next stop, Carnarvon, try the local tropical fresh fruit then head to Exmouth where you can swim with the whale sharks and snorkel above the colourful coral of Ningaloo Reef.

On the way back, take in Coral Bay, stop to see the dolphins at Monkey Mia, and explore the rugged Kalbarri National Park.

ABOVE: Castle Rock Granite Skywalk

in the Porongurup National Park.

Third place Perth to Albany and Porongurup Range

Passing through the South West, Great Southern and Southern Forests regions, this drive has it all - good food and wine, breathtaking coastal scenery, and stunning national parks and forests.

This trip takes you through WA farmland via Kojonup down to Albany, before you head west to explore the pristine coastline of Denmark and the lush forests of Pemberton.

On the loop back to Perth, explore charming towns like Bridgetown and Nannup before heading to Augusta and Margaret River. Then meander back to Perth through Busselton and Donnybrook.

Distance Approx. 1250km When to visit All year round with JulyOctober for whale watching and August-November for wildflowers Itinerary Perth, Kojonup, Mount Barker, Albany, Denmark, Walpole, Pemberton, Bridgetown, Nannup, Margaret River, Augusta, Busselton, Donnybrook, Perth Tips for travel Avoid driving for longer than 10 hours a day and make sure you take plenty of breaks on each leg of the trip.

Highlights Stirling Range – Porongurup National Park, National Anzac Centre, the Gap and Natural Bridge, Greens Pool, Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, Beedelup Falls, Margaret River wineries, Lake Cave, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Busselton Jetty, Apple Fun Park, Gnomesville

ABOVE: Swimming with a turtle at Turquoise Bay.

Horizons / February-March 2019

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T R AV E L

Touted as one of the last true outback experiences in WA, the Gibb River Road spans 660km between Derby and Kununurra. The track passes stunning gorges, cattle stations, and remote wildlife sanctuaries.

It’s not a drive for the faint-hearted. It can be an unforgiving journey if you’re not prepared, so make sure the four-wheel drive is packed with water, food, and emergency supplies.

And remember to allow plenty of time to enjoy this majestic landscape.

When to visit May - October Itinerary Kununurra, Wyndham, Gibb River Road, Derby, Broome Tips for travel The Gibb River Road can be an unforgiving journey if you’re not prepared, so pack the car with water, food, and emergency supplies.

This trip can only be taken in a four-wheel drive.

Highlights El Questro, gorges, boab trees, bush hospitality, national parks, working stations, Argyle diamonds, Derby’s 11-metre tides, Cable Beach, Broome pearls

BELOW: Boab trees at sunset, Derby.

Fifth place Perth to Esperance Follow Albany Highway and travel through the historic Wheatbelt towns of Williams, Kojonup and Mount Barker, before reaching the southern coastline of WA. Here you’ll find fabulous fishing, pristine national parks, and the whitest beaches you’ve ever seen.

Explore the rugged coastline around Albany before moving on to Hopetoun and Esperance, where you can enjoy stunning beaches and the spectacular Cape Le Grand National Park.

Allow enough time to take it all in and pack your camera. These places are so beautiful you’ll want proof to take home.

ABOVE: Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park.

Distance Approx. 990km (one way to Esperance) When to visit All year round with spring great for wildflowers Itinerary Perth, Mount Barker, Albany, Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun, Esperance, Perth via inland, western, southern or coastal route Tips for travel Take a snorkel to explore Cape Le Grand National Park and your hiking boots for beautiful coastal trails.

Highlights King George Sound, Mount Clarence, Hopetoun, Ravensthorpe wildflowers, Munglinup Beach, Recherche Archipelago, Cape Le Grand National Park, Wave Rock (inland route), Manjimup truffles (southern route), Margaret River region (coastal route) Photography: Tourism Western Australia

Fourth place Gibb River Road

Distance Approx. 1200km (visiting gorges and stations)

 Read more about the Gibb River Road on page 31

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February-March 2019 / Horizons

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d n a l e c a Gr GOIN’ TO

By Susan Gough Henly

W

For a crash course in American culture, there’s no better place to be than Memphis, Tennessee.

Memphis isn’t just home to Elvis and Graceland, it’s also where trailblazing recording studios transformed the blues into rock ‘n’ roll and shared the unique rhythms of soul music with the rest of the world.

Memphis also played a pivotal and tragic role in the American civil rights movement with Martin Luther King’s assassination there in 1968. The National Civil Rights Museum tells the whole story. But the city is no museum piece. It’s a living, breathing

festival of experiences. Feast on its world-renowned barbecue, listen to live blues music on Beale Street and kick back southern-style on a Mississippi paddleboat cruise.

While you’re there, why not make your trip a musical trifecta with a three-hour road trip to the country music capital of Nashville and a lazy riverboat cruise all the way to jazzy New Orleans.

But if Memphis is your only stop, here’s how to do it all in just four easy, breezy days.

BELOW: Blues City Cafe on Beale Street.

Horizons / February-March 2019

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T R AV E L

Day 1 The oh-so-grand Peabody Hotel, is the place to stay in Memphis. Historian David Cohn famously said if you stand near its fountain in the middle of the lobby ultimately you will see everybody who is anybody in the Delta.

The lobby’s most famous residents are Mallard ducks which spend their days splashing in the lobby fountain.

The tradition started in the ’30s when the hotel’s general manager left his own ducks in the fountain. At 5pm you can watch the Duckmaster escort the ducks to their rooftop lodgings.

On Thursday nights in summer follow them upstairs for sunset cocktails and great live music on the rooftop.

Also inside the Peabody Hotel is the famous Lansky Brothers store, clothier to Memphis’s one and only King.

You can get your fix of the city’s famed slow-cooked pork or beef brisket BBQ at the Blues City Café on the corner of Beale Street. This is where musicians like Muddy Waters, Rufus Thomas, Louis Armstrong and Memphis’s very own Beale Street Blues Boy, BB King, fashioned the Memphis Blues style.

Check out live bands at BB Kings, Rum Boogie and The Blues Hall juke joints, Jerry Lee Lewis’ Café and Honky Tonk, and Silky O’Sullivans.

Day 2

Start your day with breakfast at the retro, neon-lit Arcade Restaurant, the oldest in Memphis, where scenes from

TOP: Rockabilly Tours Plymouth Belvedere in front of the Peabody Hotel; BOTTOM: Graceland.

The Firm, Walk the Line, and Mystery Train were filmed. Elvis fans may want to try his favourite dish, a peanut butter and banana sandwich.

No trip to Memphis is complete without a visit to Graceland.

Then head to the still-operating Sun Studios where in the 1950s Sam Phillips captured the raw energy of Beale Street and transformed it into the new rock ‘n’ roll sound. In 1954, he coaxed the song That’s All Right (Mama) out of a shy Elvis Presley and music changed forever.

Take a guided tour to see fascinating memorabilia and hear the stories behind other legends such as Howling Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. You can even have your picture taken with the very microphone that Elvis used.

No trip to Memphis is complete without a visit to Graceland. The Graceland shuttle takes you to the mansion where you can hear about Elvis’s family life as you wander through the house, including the famous jungle room, where he recorded his last two records. A new entertainment complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, offers themed exhibits showcasing his gold and platinum records, jumpsuits, cars, and more. Grab lunch either at Vernon’s Smokehouse or Gladys’ Diner, named after his parents.

For more rock ‘n’ roll history, take the shuttle to the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, which tells the story of the soul and rock ‘n’ roll pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world.

As you explore, listen on headphones to plantation field hollers, blues, country, and gospel music fused with urban jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock ‘n’ roll.

Meet up with Rockabilly Tours for a Red, Hot and Blue Elvis tour in a vintage car. You can also see the housing project where the Presley family lived, the high school he attended, the band shell where he

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February-March 2019 / Horizons

(and Johnny Cash) first performed (Elvis only knew two songs, so he sang them twice), and The Beauty Shop, Priscilla Presley’s curl and dye spot.

These days you can eat at The Beauty Shop in the now-hipster neighbourhood of Cooper-Young. You can even sit under hooded Belvedere hair dryers to savour Southern cooking like pork chops with pickled peach, muddled blueberry vinaigrette, and grilled sweet corn with aioli and cayenne salt.

Afterwards, head next door to DKDC (Don’t Know Don’t Care) bar to enjoy live music in a laid-back atmosphere.

Day 3

Just behind the museum head to Central BBQ for lunch to savour their awardwinning pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket or slow-smoked chicken or, for Memphisstyle soul food like catfish, boiled okra, and fried green tomatoes, try Four Way Grill in still-gritty South Memphis.

For more musical history, don’t miss the remarkable Stax Museum of American Soul Music, also in South Memphis. It’s a fascinating counterpart to the National Civil Rights Museum because in the segregated South during the 1960s black and white musicians regularly recorded music together on the Stax label.

Day 4

If it’s a Sunday, attend the 11.30am service at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in the suburbs south of

Horizons / February-March 2019

TOP: The site of Martin Luther King’s assassination outside the Lorraine Motel; BOTTOM: Exhibits at Sun Studios.

Graceland. Fortify yourself first with pancakes, grits, bacon, hot biscuits and gravy at the Blue Plate Café. Soul legend Al Green founded the church in 1976 and, when not touring, he can be found leading Sunday service here.

Bishop Green is still in fine voice and the choir and band make the spirit move.

For guitar tragics, the Gibson guitar factory is just a short stroll from BB King’s Club where his iconic red hollow-bodied electric guitar Lucille was made. Factory tours get you right on the shop floor where the guitars are fashioned, largely by hand.

More blue’s history can be found at the Memphis Blues Hall of Fame, which honours the world’s best blues players like Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James, and Robert Johnson through memorabilia, video and sound recordings.

Music and melodies come together at Catherine and Mary’s with Italianinspired share plates in an airy, pared-back space in the renovated Chisca apartments. WHBQ used to broadcast from here and back in 1954 Dewey Phillips, who played both black and white music on his Red, Hot and Blue show, was the first DJ to broadcast 19-year-old Elvis Presley’s debut record That’s All Right. It was such a hit, he played the record 14 times that day.

Photography: Sue Gogh Henly

At the National Civil Rights Museum you can immerse yourself in the evocative exhibits that tell the story of slavery and civil rights activism. The Museum is set behind the Lorraine Motel room where Martin Luther King was killed in 1968.

Get on the bus to experience what happened when Rosa Parks refused to move to the back, and listen to Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech at the Jobs and Freedom March on Washington in 1963. You can also experience the I am a Man Memphis Sanitation Workers march for improved pay and conditions which King joined just before his assassination and see the very hotel room where he stayed on that fateful night.

For enquiries or to book your holiday to Memphis, contact RAC Travel on 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travel

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Because every home is different, we’ll find the right security fit for you.

Book your free in-home consultation today

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So call us today on 1300 132 735 or visit rac.com.au/security RAC Security Services (WA) Pty Ltd (ABN 044 096 235 200) operates in Perth Metro and Mandurah only. Police License No. SA 45421.

MOTORING

Motor news

The latest news from the motoring world

By Alex Forrest

Mad Max at 40

Alex Forrest

The iconic Australian movie about one man trying to create order in a dystopian future Australian outback turns 40 this year. However, Mad Max’s car, the black Pursuit Special, preceded the movie by six years. It was based on a 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT coupe which was heavily modified for its screen role. Most noticeably, the car had a slanted nosecone added to the front end and a giant Weiand supercharger. Though highly valuable now, the original movie car was unwanted when filming finished and sat in an Adelaide wrecker’s yard for years. It’s now part of a collection in Florida, USA. The car pictured is a replica built by Perth enthusiast Gordon Hayes.

Forester is watching you The new Subaru Forester has a camera in the cabin that’s dedicated to checking how tired or distracted you are. Subaru calls this its Driver Monitoring System (DMS), and it uses an infrared LED camera mounted in the visor of the central infotainment screen and pointed at the driver. When the system detects the driver continually looking outside a set range it triggers an audible alarm accompanied by flashing on screen.

The system also raises the drowsiness alarm when it detects the driver regularly closing their eyes while driving. However, it won’t recognise distraction or drowsiness if the camera is obstructed or the driver is wearing dark sunglasses.

Leaf gets more rustle The next generation Nissan Leaf electric car won’t go on sale until the middle of the year, but we’ve had a quick preview.

The big news is the new Leaf will have a range of up to 270km, according to Nissan, a welcome improvement on the earlier models with their 135km range with the 24kWh battery. The new Leaf has a 40kWh battery, which helps it make 110kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Also, drivers of the new Leaf will be able to both accelerate and brake the vehicle to a stop using just one pedal. Nissan calls it the e-Pedal, which controls the accelerator as you press it and then the regenerative braking function as you lift off.

Horizons / February-March 2019

Safer Mazda sportster Mazda has added autonomous emergency braking and a rear camera to all MX-5 2019 models as standard. For enthusiasts, it has also squeezed a little more out of both the 2.0-litre and 1.5-litre engines, meaning they now have 135kW and 97kW respectively.

The MX-5 retains its ingenious interior features such as the glovebox placement between the seat backs and the moveable cupholders which have now been made “more rigid for less wobble”, according to Mazda no one likes an over-frothed coffee.

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R16509

Summer servicing specials

$40 off

*

any minor, major or Logbook service

To book call 1300 134 642 or visit rac.com.au/summer40 * With the exception of RAC member 10% discount, this offer is not to be used with any other offer. RAC 10% member discount applies to all labour costs performed by the RAC. Simply call to request additional vouchers for other members in your household. Offer valid for car services conducted before 31 March 2019. Discount voucher to be presented at time of service. Service provided by RAC Automotive Services P/L MRB 935. Promo code: HORIZONS

$99 air con service* with any car service

To book call 1300 134 642 or visit rac.com.au/aircon99 Air con service special is only valid in conjunction with an Essentials (minor), Essentials plus (major) or Logbook service. $99 air con service is available for members and non-members and includes operation test, re-gas, deodorise & sanitise, drive belt and compressor check, leak inspection using UV light. 10% member discount off labour is not valid on the $99 air con service however can be used for the car service labour. Discount vouchers cannot be used with this offer. Valid for car services conducted before 28 February 2019. Service provided by RAC Automotive Services P/L MRB 935. A/C Lic No. 42707. Promocode: HORIZONSAIRCON

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MOTORING

Alex Forrest reviews the latest cars

Engine Features Safety Price

Specifications Engine: 2.0-litre turbo petrol Power: 141kW @ 5000rpm Torque: 280Nm @ 1250rpm Claimed fuel economy 6.0L/100km Price: fr $56,450 drive away ANCAP safety rating 

BMW X2 On face value, it would seem odd for a car maker to launch a less practical version of an existing SUV. But BMW has done it, and it’s called the X2. It has a smaller boot than the X1 and is shorter. But it’s also wider and lower than the X1, which makes it much better looking. So, depending on your priorities, it’s a worthwhile trade-off.

BMW has form in this SUV/ coupe area. Trainspotters will note the even-numbered models of its X range of SUVs (X4 and X6) are the

Horizons / February-March 2019

coupe-like versions, while the odd-numbered X vehicles are the proper SUVs (X3 and X5).

BMW calls these evennumbered X series vehicles “sports activity coupes”, which wisely reduces any expectations of practicality which might be inferred by the ‘SUV’ (sports utility vehicle) tag.

Initially launched with frontwheel drive only, subsequent X2 models include allwheel drive versions.

The entry level X2 sDrive18i ($56,450 drive away) has a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that makes 103kW and 220Nm. Spend $62,870 on the

sDrive20i and you’ll get a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine with 141kW/280Nm. The diesel xDrive20d has 140kW and 400Nm. We tested an sDrive20i M Sport, which we reckon is the pick of the range for its smoothness. Sending power to the wheels is a new sevenspeed dual-clutch gearbox.

It competes with other small premium SUVs including the MercedesBenz GLA, Audi Q2, Range Rover Evoque and its own BMW Group relative, the Mini Countryman.

At $56,450 drive away, the X2’s entry level price is about $6000 more than

the Mercedes-Benz GLA, and $10,000 above the Audi Q2’s starting price.

While a powered tailgate is included, Apple CarPlay isn’t standard – it’s a $500 option and $150 a year to subscribe to it.

The X2 deserves to do well for BMW. The handling is taut and sporty and it gets its power to the ground cleanly for a front-wheel drive vehicle, especially the more powerful 2.0-litre version.

The X2’s interior is refined, and the infotainment system is quick and intuitive. It’s well worth a test drive if you’re after a small, premium SUV-like hatch.

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Specifications Engine: 2.0-litre turbo petrol Power: 180kW @ 5500rpm Torque: 370Nm @ 1200rpm Claimed fuel economy 7.4L/100km Price: fr $137,000 drive away ANCAP safety rating 

Mercedes-Benz E300 First world problems are, conveniently, often solved by first world solutions.

Rarely afraid of a challenge, Mercedes-Benz engineers have in recent years come up with a suite of solutions to address some of the most distressing first world problems ever faced by luxury car owners.

These include the shock of sitting on cold leather seats, the agony of a cold neck in a convertible after forgetting one’s cravat and the physical exhaustion of pressing the

52

seat massage button.

Mercedes-Benz has also addressed the biggest first world problem of all, which is how to drive one’s luxury convertible with the top down without messing up one’s hairdo.

Alleviating some of these dire discomforts is MercedesBenz’s voice control system, which goes by the awkward portmanteau, ‘Linguatronic’.

So, rather than pressing a button, you can just tell the Linguatronic to turn on the massage seats.

Convertible drivers suffering a cold neck but who simply must be seen with the roof down can turn on the

Airscarf, which blows warm air on the back of your neck.

it is. It’s no performance car, but it doesn’t need to be.

Wind buffeting in the cabin, which could potentially damage the hair and the complexion, is reduced by deploying a wing from the top of the windscreen frame.

It’s called the Aircap and it works in conjunction with a diffuser which comes up from behind the rear seats.

The E300’s interior is as much a work of sculpture as a place to sit and interact with the car. Turbine-shaped air vents dominate the fascia, as do the two seemingly floating infotainment screens joined together under one huge glass cover.

In addition to all this frippery, the new MercedesBenz E-Class Cabriolet is, at its core, quite a spirited thing to drive.

The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine makes 180kW and 370Nm, which is ample for the type of vehicle

The screen directly in front of the driver shows the virtual instruments, meaning there are no actual gauges with real moving needles.

What this car also does well is to look even more expensive than it really is.

Which, at $137,000 drive away, is quite a feat.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

Specifications Engine: 1.8-litre petrol / hybrid electric Power: 90kW (combined) Torque: N/A Claimed fuel economy 4.2L/100km Price: fr $35,760 drive away ANCAP safety rating 

Toyota Corolla Hybrid There was a time when the word sensible was synonymous with the Toyota Corolla. Not anymore.

The new Corolla has a somewhat menacinglooking front end, and a set of wheels on the top model that would be right at home on a car twice the price. It’s also longer, lower and wider than before.

What’s more, you can also get it as a hybrid version for not much more money at all.

The Corolla Ascent Sport

Horizons / February-March 2019

Hybrid starts at $29,298 drive away, which is $1600 more than the petrol-only Ascent Sport auto, which is also now the cheapest Corolla you can buy since Toyota dropped the previous level Ascent.

premium which in WA costs about 13c more per litre than regular unleaded.

The Corolla Hybrid consumes 4.2L/100km, whereas the non-hybrid Corolla automatic uses 6.0L/100km.

Among the gear included with the Ascent Sport is LED daytime running lights, voice recognition and an electric park brake, and the hybrid versions of the Ascent Sport get keyless entry and push-button start.

Alternatively, there’s the regular Toyota Prius, which is not much bigger than the Corolla Hybrid but costs over $11,000 more. It uses less fuel at 3.4L/100km, but that fuel needs to be

It’s at this point the Corolla Hybrid starts to make quite a lot of sense, even if it’s less sensible than most other Corollas before it.

It’s clear there has been a step up in the quality of the interior materials such as gloss black finishes, stitched

edges to the dash and well-bolstered seats. The 8-inch infotainment screen is standard across the range, as is the rear camera.

Also, a big tick to Toyota for making autonomous emergency braking standard.

This system can also detect pedestrians, including at night. On top of that, active cruise control is standard.

One feature missing from the Corolla is Apple Carplay and Android Auto, which reduce the temptation for some drivers to touch their smartphones.

Overall though, this isn’t the Corolla you may think it is.

53

Specifications Engine: 3.5-litre petrol Power: 202kW @ 6400rpm Torque: 340Nm @ 4800rpm Claimed fuel economy 9.9L/100km Price: fr $62,760 drive away ANCAP safety rating 

Nissan Pathfinder ST-L This current generation Nissan Pathfinder has been around since 2013, and although it’s been significantly updated since then, you might still kindly refer to it as ‘proven’.

However, it also has a lot of what will always be popular in a large SUV, such as space, a smooth ride, a powerful engine, and a good suite of safety gear.

It has a clever interior that includes seven seats, thoughtfully placed storage

54

spots and a gigantic boot.

It also has a powerful but quiet V6 engine and in the mid-spec ST-L variant we tried, a great sound system.

But the Pathfinder also has some serious competition, such as the good-handling and fuel-efficient Mazda CX-9 and the new Hyundai Santa Fe that was launched in 2018.

The Pathfinder we tested was the ST-L N-Sport, which is a special edition designed to sharpen-up its looks. It gets black 20-inch wheels, black external mirror caps and a black front grille.

Though it’s called the N-Sport, the Pathfinder could only ever be sporty by having a lot of sports gear and players crammed into it. It’s much better at being an SUV than a sports car.

The two seats in the third row have ample headroom for anyone under six feet tall.

There’s even some legroom back there, and the two cupholders on either side of the third row will be useful on long trips.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto would be welcome additions though, as would a powered tailgate in this mid-spec variant.

There’s also a secret storage space under the boot floor, which in the ST-L is partially occupied by the amplifier for the 13-speaker Bose sound system.

The Pathfinder is not the most fuel-efficient large SUV, and neither does it have the longest warranty or the best resale value in its class.

But the Pathfinder is still a very practical SUV that does its core job well. It’ll take you down south as easily as it’ll haul a load of wood, tow a trailer or accommodate a herd of kids and all their bags for the school run.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

R16569

Members save 10% off batteries

Call 13 11 11 or visit rac.com.au/batteries MRB723. Terms and conditions apply.

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MOTORING

Ask the

Car doctor

Our experts answer your questions

Write to us and win If your question is published, you will receive from RAC Travel a copy of the UBD Gregory’s 2019 Perth and Surrounds Street Directory, which includes new streets and suburbs, petrol station locations and more.

Send your questions to: The Car Doctor, Horizons GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 or email editor@rac.com.au Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number with your query.

If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery. See page 81 for terms and conditions of entry.

My wife’s Yaris is only driven a few times a week. To extend battery life, I charge the battery every few months. Recently, my mechanic explained that I should disconnect at least one terminal from the battery before connecting the charger. What is proper procedure for car battery charging in a car?

Ryszard Pusch It’s a good idea to charge the battery of a little-used vehicle. You do not need to disconnect the battery cables to charge it while it is in the vehicle. Remember, certain vehicle settings may be lost if the battery is disconnected without another power source going to the vehicle.

We advise using a smart multi-stage charger which can vary the charge rate as needed by the battery. Make sure the charger is turned off and the vehicle ignition is off. Then connect the charger’s positive cable to the battery’s positive

terminal and do the same with the negative cable and terminal. When complete, turn off the charger and disconnect the negative charger cable then the positive one. Always read the manual for both your vehicle and the charger for specific safety information.

I had my Takata airbag replaced on my car as part of the mandatory safety recall. When I questioned the dealership about what type of airbag would be installed he told me it would be a Takata. Is there a possibility the new Takata airbag will have similar issues?

Amanda Holland It is possible that a new Takata airbag may be used to replace the faulty one in a vehicle. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), this is safe for a time.

The ACCC said the risk of a defective Takata airbag rupturing may arise between six and 25 years after installation.

In areas of high heat and humidity, the risk of rupture may arise between six and nine years. Due to a global supply shortage of replacement airbag inflators, it has been

necessary for some suppliers to use new affected Takata airbags as replacements, even though those new airbags will also be recalled and replaced in the future.

Suppliers doing these like-for-like replacements are obliged to notify you verbally and in writing that the airbag will need to be replaced again. While this is not ideal, in the circumstances of limited airbag supplies, for the time being it is preferable to an old, unstable airbag inflator.

I own a 2002 TD5 Landrover.

My question is about finding good parts for it in WA. Adelaide has a ‘pick-a-part’ wrecker and it’s fantastic.

I always scour Gumtree and wreckers, but does Perth have such a place? Some parts can be ridiculously expensive and must be sent in from over east.

Shan Ridgewood In the first instance, we would recommend joining the relevant car club to assist you with sourcing parts for your vehicle. In WA, this would be the Land Rover Owners Club of Western Australia. It is one of the oldest car clubs in WA. Contact details are at lrocwa.org.au

RAC members can take advantage of our Motoring Advice Line. If you have a motoring question call 13 17 03 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm to speak to one of our experts.

Horizons / February-March 2019

57

YO U R R A C

People, places, prizes and RAC news

How’s the air quality in your car?

To help you breathe easier in your car, cabin air filters should be changed regularly, particularly if you suffer from allergies.

“Cabin air filters are designed to filter the air you’re breathing as it comes through the heating and air conditioning vents,” says Jay Opdam, general manager RAC Auto Services.

change intervals so check your vehicle’s log book. As a general rule, most cabin air filters should be inspected for contaminants yearly, with replacement recommended every 20,000km.

“They clean the air coming into your vehicle, removing allergens and help to trap airborne particles like pollen, dust and bacteria.

Contact your local RAC Auto Services centre where our experienced technicians will check between the ribs of the filter for dirt and other debris and replace it if necessary.

“A dirty or clogged air filter can cause contaminants to become so concentrated that passengers actually begin to breathe in the particles the filter is aiming to trap.”

Each vehicle manufacturer has their own recommendations on cabin air filter

58

To get even more fresh air into your car, when you get your car serviced at RAC Auto Services before the end of February, you can have your air conditioner serviced at the same time for an additional $99. For more details visit rac.com.au/aircon99

February-March 2019 / Horizons

YO U R R A C

Remove odours from your car The school holiday period can leave the interior of the family car looking and smelling a bit worse for wear.

If you’ve finished the summer holidays with an interesting blend of car odours from dropped food, spilt drinks and even family pets in your car, here are two quick cleaning hacks to eliminate that stale summer smell.

Save on our postsummer getaways Now that the school holiday crowds are winding up, enjoy some of WA’s best holiday locations during the off-peak period. As a member, you’ll save even more at these three RAC Parks & Resorts.

Save 30% when you stay three or more nights at:

RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park Ningaloo Reef Resort Hurry - the offer ends 28 February 2019, valid for travel until 31 March 2019.

To book call 1800 871 570 or visit racparksandresorts.com.au

RAC members save an additional 5%

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then simply spray the mixture on carpets, upholstery or wherever the odour is coming from. White vinegar neutralises odours so when it dries, the smell should be gone.

To deodorise a larger area, use a vacuum cleaner and some baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and upholstery, let it sit for a few minutes then vacuum it off. The baking soda will remove moisture and any mould odour.

For more car cleaning hacks, including how to quickly get rid of dog fur, check our video at rac.com.au/carcleaning

New regional tyre services Our tyres have gone to the country. You can now get RAC Tyre services in six different regional centres across WA. These centres offer the same great service as our metro tyre centres and can help with puncture repairs, new tyre fittings, wheel balancing and alignment. By expanding our service, we hope to help more members stay safe on the roads. Our regional tyre service is available in Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Port Hedland. For more details visit tyres.rac.com.au/service-centres

RAC regional golf day events From the north of WA to the south, RAC Golf Days are back for 2019.

Competitions will be held at regional golf clubs across WA throughout this year, with winners and runners up from each club event taking home vouchers to stay at any of our RAC Parks & Resorts.

If you’d like to be part of the RAC Golf Days, contact the specific regional golf clubs for more information:

Margaret River Golf Club - 9757 2197 Manjimup Country Club - 0438 711 736 Busselton Golf Club - 9753 1050 Jurien Bay Country Golf Club - 0412 626 785 Northam Country Club - 0407 957 874 Spalding Park Golf Club Geraldton - 9923 2700

Horizons / February-March 2019

59

YO U R R A C

Even more cruise choices from Fremantle With an even greater number of ships set to sail from Fremantle over the next two cruise seasons, you now have more choice than ever before.

Win tickets to RAC Arena It was a great year for standup comedy at RAC Arena last year and 2019 is shaping up to be no different. To celebrate all the great laughs coming to RAC Arena in 2019, we’re giving away 10 double passes to see Michael McIntyre live on stage this March.

Princess Cruises have increased sailings in and out of Fremantle for their 2019/2020 season, including the Majestic Princess, which is here in February 2020. Cruise from Fremantle to Singapore or make it a 26-night roundtrip.

For first time cruisers or just a quick getaway, hop on a Sun Princess four-night cruise to Margaret River and Albany. Or cruise to Indonesia for 15 nights return from Fremantle.

The Vasco da Gama will homeport in Fremantle from January to April 2020, with exclusive RAC member offers on multiple voyages, plus the introduction of overnight stops in Broome and a maiden call to Kuri Bay. The ship will also visit other WA destinations, including Esperance, Albany, and Geraldton. o find out more, contact RAC Cruise Club on 1300 639 208 T or visit rac.com.au/cruise

For your chance to win*, share your favourite joke with us (keeping it clean of course) at rac.com.au/comedy For more information about the great benefits RAC members receive at RAC Arena visit rac.com.au/arena *Terms and conditions apply.

The doorbell that monitors your home The first electric doorbell was invented back in 1831 by Joseph Henry, the first secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, and became commonplace in homes from the 1930s. Back then it was just an alert that you had a visitor.

Today, our doorbells have become much smarter. Incorporating Wi-Fi technology, a doorbell can also become a security device for your home.

60

A Wi-Fi doorbell gives you audio and video monitoring. A camera incorporated into the device lets you remotely monitor who is at your door via an app on a smartphone or other device.

The two-way audio even allows you to speak with the person at your door.

If you’re expecting a delivery, you’re able to talk to the courier via your smartphone and tell them where to leave it.

And if someone is checking your home for a potential break in and presses the doorbell to see if you’re there, you’ll be able to answer even if you’re not home.

RAC Security is now offering Wi-Fi doorbells which feature motion detection and infrared illumination for night vision. They can record, store and play back audio and video via an optional on-board microSD card.

They are compatible with iOS and Android devices, use very little Wi-Fi data and there’s no need for batteries.

If you’d like to know more about our Wi-Fi doorbells, call RAC Security on 1300 132 735.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

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In fact, over 40 genuine Swarovski crystals, plus dazzling glitter, make this figurine sparkle as brightly as the Princess’ brilliant smile.

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Make the most of the great everyday savings you get as an RAC member. Whether it’s discounts on travel, fuel, gas for your home, mobile plans, groceries, entertainment, dining or RAC products and services – RAC members save every day.

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February-March 2019 / Horizons

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Dogs Today Magazine in the United Kingdom calls photographer Alex “One of our greatest dog photographers in the world.�

Visit rac.com.au/hstudio or call 0413 174 069 and quote your RAC member number Terms and conditions apply. Discount applies to full session fee of $195 and does not include any promotional session prices. Sessions must be booked within 6 months of purchase date and are available for any of our sessions, including Saturdays. Additional prints and products can be ordered and are not subject to discount or part of this offer. Additional pets (more than 2) incur a $75 fee. Valid RAC membership card must be presented at time of session.

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Call 1300 655 179 or go to rac.com.au/travelinsurance Limits, exclusions and conditions apply. This is general advice only. We do not provide any advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please refer to the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement available from RAC before making a decision about this insurance. This insurance is issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd (Tokio Marine & Nichido) ABN 80 000 438 291, AFSL 246548. R.A.C. Travel Services Pty. Limited (ABN 17 009 164 176, AR NO. 228577) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine & Nichido. Its managing agent, Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty. Ltd. ABN 69 004 488 455 (TMMA) is authorised to act on behalf of Tokio Marine & Nichido to issue its policies and handle and settle claims in relation to those policies, subject to the terms of the authority. #Medical cover will not exceed a maximum of 12 months from the time you first received treatment for the injury or illness. ^Conditions are covered providing certain criteria is met and is subject to approval. Members save 15% off the standard rate.

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97 MURRAY ST PERTH

Call 9325 3900 email hotel@missmaud.com.au

Packages include: Midweek Intro, Plus, Fast Track and Family & Friends package. To be flown Monday to Friday. Valid until 30.05.2019. Simply enter the promo code RACWA at checkout when booking online or quote when purchasing over the phone / counter. Must present RAC member card at check-in. Cannot be combined with other promotions. iFLY Perth only.

Discounts apply to DIRECT BOOKINGS ONLY.

» Members receive 20% off iFly midweek intro & iFly midweek plus

» Members save 10% on smorgasbord breakfast, lunch and dinner

Not valid with any other offer.

Better Spaces Better Lives

Refresh your home this Summer: catch the seabreeze with Velux roof windows or brighten up with Solatube skylights!

www.skylightswa.com.au

Perth: (08) 9240 4045 Bunbury: 0458 169 191 PERTH SHOWROOM:

BUNBURY SHOWROOM:

Units 5 & 6/1 Halley Road, Balcatta Unit 4/61 Albert Road (entrance on Geddes Street) East Bunbury *Conditions apply. Not in conjunction with other offers. Offer ends 31/03/19

» Members receive 7% off Solatube Brighten Up Skylights & Velux Roof Windows with SkylightsWA 76

February-March 2019 / Horizons

and start saving today

Horizons

more offers

RAC MEMBERS - 50% OFF In Chair Teeth Whitening

with every Dental Check Up & Clean* save up to $600 General Dentistry | Family Dentistry Phone 9381 3791 or book online www.dentalesthetique.com.au/rac

Kids GAP FR EE All ye ar roun d

324 Churchill Ave, Subiaco WA 6008

Preferred Providers for

Proud Partners of

* Terms & Conditions Apply - Must show RAC member card on appointment attendance, together with your health fund card. Offer ends 31st March 2018. See website for full terms and conditions

» Members save 50% on In Chair Teeth Whitening with every Dental Check Up and Clean

RAC rs e Membeive rec s&

ite fo rd etai ls

rm Te

ff o % 0 2 l up – tal bil – To to $50

co ndi tions

s eb ew e s – apply

Award winning restaurant & lounge bar 44b Mews Road, Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle | (08) 9335 7666

www.charcharrb.com.au/rac » Members save 20% off your total bill up to a maximum of $50 Horizons / February-March 2019

77

more offers

Show your RAC member card

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Slash your water bill!

GARDEN BORES “I used to be too scared to open my water bill”

GARAGE DOOR NEEDING ATTENTION? pp p New Doors pp p Replacements pp p Services pp p Spare Parts We install, repair, and service all makes and models of doors & motors

9303 9334 Unit 1, 5 Quantum link, Wangara WA 6065

edenrocgaragedoors.com.au *must show or quote your RAC member number at time of booking.

Discount applies to garage doors spare parts and servicing only. Offer expires 30/11/18.

» Members save 10% off parts

· Free Quotes · Gutters and Downpipes

We will beat any quote!

· Roof Restoration · Ridgecap Re-pointing · Skylights · All General Roof Repairs · All work guaranteed

300mm $185 ZINC $195 COLORBOND Fully installed

Call 0439 707 578 or 9398 9861 www.roofrenewals.com.au

360mm $210 $200 ZINC $220 $210 COLORBOND Fully installed (while stocks last) *Conditions apply valid until 31/03/19

18 METRE BORE

RAC members pay

$3,900

$3,500

plus get a free tap and pressure release valve (worth $240)*

• Submersible bore drilled to 18 metres (ideal in most lower-lying Perth suburbs) • 1hp submersible pump • Standard electrical connection to house power • Plumbed to existing reticulation

More RAC bore packages available — Ask us today!

Save money and enjoy lush green gardens with a modern submersible water bore from Virgin Bores.

Your new stainless steel pump will be invisible, deep beneath the ground. Silently pumping free water to your garden.

Call for a quote on 9246 0111 or check us out online virginbores.com.au *Subject to obligation-free site visit. Other depths & pump configurations recommended/available as required depending on your location & depth to water. Assumes electrical & reticulation connection nearby & accessible. Valid until 31/03/2019.

Must be claimed at time of quotation.

» Members save $640

Regain the freedom of your home Simple, safe and stylish, Acorn Stairlifts give people the chance to enjoy their own homes once again.

• For straight or curved staircases • Indoor and outdoor lifts • Free home assessment • Fast installation

1800 239 169 CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE & QUOTATION

» Members get a free whirly bird on a full house gutter replacement 78

» Members receive $50 off any Stairlift purchase February-March 2019 / Horizons

and start saving today

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more offers

15% OFF*

Fall in love with riding again.

With all the health benefits and experiences an e-bike can offer, what’s not to love?

NO EXCUSES...

Book a free test ride today.

bikemore.com.au

9380 6580

356A Rokeby Rd, Subiaco, Perth

* Bring this ad in with you at the time of sale. Terms and conditions apply.

» Members save 15% during February and March 2019. Terms and conditions apply

LIBERTY PORTABLE MOBILITY WHEELCHAIR SCOOTER FREE DELIVERY

Easy rider 17 Km range Wide seat & retractable arm rest

Quick getaway!

No tools needed

More discounts and special offers To see even more member offers across a range of categories, visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits

Foldable • Airport friendly • 3 or 4 wheel models • Battery pack easily detached Easy as an umbrella click 1-2-3 • Pull apart • Light weight • Heaviest part only 13kg

PERTH AGENT 0408 029 708

Call 1300 657 818

www.libertymobilityaids.com.au

» Members receive free freight and $50 rebate Horizons / February-March 2019

79

1300 131 751 UNDISCLOSE DEBTOR FINANCE INVOICE FINANCING FACTORING FULLY INSURED

www.conusnoble.com.au

Terms & conditions New Zealand competition, page 34 The competition begins on 22 January 2019 at 12:00pm and ends on 28 February 2019 at 12:00pm (Australian Western Standard Time). Up to one entrant (winner) may be awarded only one prize as follows: 19day rail, cruise and coach holiday for two people in New Zealand, departing 21 April 2019 from Perth valued at $15,008. Prize includes return airfares from Perth on Air New Zealand direct service (air taxes included), personalised meet and greet on arrival with return airport transfers in New Zealand, modern coach travel with professional coach captain and tour guide, 17 nights in four star accommodation, Milford Sound overnight cruise, six two-night stays, all sightseeing and pre-paid attractions including four rail journeys and five cruises, 18 cooked breakfasts, 14 dinners, one picnic lunch and two morning teas. Flights are based on T&W Class availability, otherwise surcharges apply.

Prize must be taken on the advertised tour departing 21 April. Should only one person redeem the prize, the value will be from $9594 (based on a single room). The following costs to be borne by the winner: optional tours and services, travel insurance, drinks and meals outside those specified in prize inclusions, excess baggage and any other travel expenses. The winner shall be chosen by the judges from the entries at random. The winner will be drawn on 4 March 2019 and notified by writing. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The promoter reserves the right not to select winners of all or any prizes in its absolute discretion. Each winner must claim its prize on or before 12 March 2019.

Prizes must be claimed in person unless a winner is otherwise advised. Identification, which includes a photograph, will be required.

Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.

Car Doctor, page 57 Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winners) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a 2019 Perth and Surrounds UBD Street Directory, valued at $39.95. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid.

The winner will be notified by email, telephone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in February/March Horizons must claim their prize by 13 March 2019. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn, at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.

Winning Letter, page 8 Entrants may submit more than one entry.

One entrant (winner) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance valued at $180. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their cover runs out.

Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, phone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in February/March Horizons must claim their prize by 13 March 2019. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn, at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine.

Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.

Contact us The Royal Automobile Club of WA (INC) 832 Wellington Street, West Perth GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 tel: 13 17 03 rac.com.au Member Service Centres – Metropolitan Carousel Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. Dianella Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade West Perth (Head Office) 832 Wellington St. Member Service Centres – Regional Albany 110 Albany Hwy. Bunbury Shop 32, Stirling Centre, Stephen St. Geraldton Shop 8, Stirlings Central SC, 54 Sanford St. Kalgoorlie 51-53 Hannan St. Mandurah Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way. Travel Centres Applecross Shop 2, 14-16 Riseley St. tel: 1300 657 681 Carousel Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. tel: 9365 4700 Dianella Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade tel: 6466 2300 Joondalup Lakeside Joondalup SC (external), Shop E24, Boas Ave. tel: 9308 1600 Midland Shop 100, Midland Gate SC, 274 Great Eastern Hwy. tel: 6150 6468 Mandurah Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way. tel: 6150 6456 West Perth 832 Wellington St. tel: 9436 4830

Full terms and conditions for each competition available at rac.com.au/competitions

SAVE 20%

POST CHRISTMAS

SALE

UP TO

9242 7333

19 Pearson Way Osborne Park blueskyhealthcare.com.au Horizons / February-March 2019

Perth’s Mobility Headquarters 81

YO U R R A C

Ten best

Do you have an idea for The 10 Best?

Send your suggestions to editor@rac.com.au

Historical shipwrecks Batavia, 1629 The Dutch ship was on its way to Batavia (Jakarta) laden with gold and silver when it struck a reef in the Abrolhos off the Geraldton coast.

Most on board made it to shore. The commander and some crew took a longboat to Batavia for help but when they returned, a mutiny had taken place, with more than 100 of the survivors killed. © WA Museum

Xantho, 1872 Xantho, the first steamship to ply WA’s coast, was used as transport for pearling operations in WA’s north. The ship, in poor condition and overloaded, was sailing from Port Gregory to Fremantle when it began to take on water. Returning to Port Gregory it struck a sandbar and sank. The wreck was found by local fisherman in 1979.

Zuytdorp, 1712 In 1711 Dutch ship Zuytdorp left the Netherlands bound for Batavia (Jakarta). It never arrived, and with no idea of where it was lost, there was no search. In 1927, coins and other items were found on a beach near Kalbarri along with signs that survivors had made it to shore. The wreck site was first explored in 1964.

Vergulde Draeck, 1656 The Vergulde Draeck was the first Dutch and English East India shipwreck found on WA’s coast. Wrecked in 1656, it took until 1963 before local spearfisherman rediscovered it near Ledge Point. While 75 of the 193 people on board are believed to have made it to shore, searches after the initial shipwreck could not find them.

82

Batavia hull underwater

Zeewijk, 1727

Georgette, 1876

After being wrecked on the Abrolhos reefs near Geraldton, a small rescue group took the Zeewijk’s longboat to get help but were never seen again.

The remaining survivors used local timber to build another boat and with more than 80 survivors on board, sailed to Batavia (Jakarta).

Steamship Georgette was used to transport cargo and passengers along the WA coast. In 1876 on a voyage from Fremantle to Adelaide it started taking on water. After two recovery attempts it capsized near Margaret River. Charges were later brought against the captain over the ship’s condition.

Trial, 1622

Macedon, 1883 and Denton Holme, 1890

British ship Trial, Australia’s oldest known shipwreck, struck a reef near the Montebello Islands in WA’s north. Two separate parties of survivors took longboats to Batavia (Jakarta). The location of the Trial wreck remained unknown until 1969 when it was found by Fremantle’s Underwater Explorers Club.

Cervantes, 1844 US whaling ship Cervantes made its first voyage to WA in 1841, visiting Albany. During its second WA visit in 1844, it was extensively damaged during a storm while anchored at Jurien Bay. With the ship unable to sail, it was sold for salvage. It fetched £155.

Though wrecked seven years apart, cargo ships the Macedon and the Denton Holme both ran aground on the same reef off Rottnest. The wrecks now lie adjacent to each other between Transit Reef and Kingston Spit.

James Matthews, 1841 Bound for Fremantle from London, the James Matthews was carrying general cargo when it struck rocks just offshore at Woodman Point after anchoring there. The wreck site was located in 1973 by the Underwater Explorers Club.

February-March 2019 / Horizons

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