Christine Kake is currently behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz, working for Nolan’s Interstate Transport.
She was checking her load at Townsville’s Port Access Road hook-up pad when she stopped for a chat with Big Rigs recently.
Based in the coastal Queensland town of Bowen, Christine was transporting meat to supermarkets in refrigerated trailers.
Although friendly, Christine was coy about revealing her age, when asked.
She has been a driver for more than two decades.
“I used to do the run over to Perth,” Christine said.
Originally from New Zealand, Christine has lived in Australia for the past 45 years.
Like many other female drivers, Christine says more rest areas and roadhouses with facilities for women are required around Australia.
“There is definitely not enough of them,” she said.
With a far lower percentage of drivers being female, they are sometimes overlooked when it comes to facilities, with some rest areas having only unisex toilets.
Although Christine revealed that she loves stopping at the BP Cluden Roadhouse, which does have facilities for women.
“The staff there are so friendly and really look after me when I am there,” Christine said.
Another stop-off Christine likes is in the parking area at the Alligator Creek Roadhouse, located just south of Townsville.
“There is a big tree there where you can park under,” she said.
Asked about roads, Christine said she rates the Bruce Highway between Home Hill and Bowen as challenging to negotiate.