As Australians, we're no strangers to the unique challenges that our vast and varied landscape can throw at us. From the rugged outback to the bustling city streets, we've seen it all—or so we thought. But drivers in Victoria have recently been faced with an obstacle that seems straight out of a storybook: roads engulfed by a sea of Fairy Grass.

The phenomenon has been so extreme that it prompted a serious warning from authorities in Swan Hill, a town in the northern part of Victoria. Motorists found themselves navigating through what can only be described as an 'incredible scene' where the road was completely overwhelmed by Common Blown-grass, also known as Fairy Grass or tumbleweeds.

Local resident Brooke Williams shared her surreal experience with Yahoo News Australia, recounting how she had to drive through sections where the dry grass was towering over her ute. 'You always see little bits of Fairy Grass and rolly-pollys in the country, but this was actually unbelievable to see, and a bit like you had to see it to believe it,' she said.

Excessive amounts of tumbleweeds prompted authorities to warn drivers about their safety. Image Credit: Facebook/Swan Hill Police

Brooke was traveling from Kerang to Melbourne with her daughter for a concert when they encountered the 'crazy' scene that police had warned about. 'The right lane heading north to Kerang was completely covered, and there was a clearance on the left lane (southbound from Kerang) that you could drive through,' she explained. The tumbleweeds had amassed in such quantity that they formed a barrier, unmoving even in the wind, stretching 20 to 30 meters along the highway and rising over a meter high.

A video taken at the time shows the tumbleweeds pressed up against the car windows, creating an almost eerie atmosphere. An officer at the Swan Hill Police station confirmed that the tumbleweeds have been a significant issue lately. 'As the weather becomes drier, tumbleweeds start to move around,' they said. 'If drivers can’t see the actual road surface due to the tumbleweeds, that in itself poses a huge risk for all motorists.'

The police urged drivers to exercise extreme caution: slow down, turn on hazard lights to alert others, and proceed with the utmost care.

But it's not just visibility that's a concern. The Fairy Grass poses a serious fire hazard, especially during the hot, dry summer months. With Victoria experiencing a brutal heatwave and extreme fire danger alerts in place, the risk of bushfires is heightened. The grass is highly combustible, and locals have good reason to worry. One commenter on the police's post recalled a past incident where the grass caused a fire that destroyed a building and a bus.

This isn't the first time Australia has seen such an invasion. Earlier in the year, the NSW town of Dubbo was inundated with a similar grass, known locally as 'Hairy Panic.' Dr Anthony Young, a senior lecturer in crop protection, said that the weed is sometimes called 'kero grass' because 'it is super dry and can stack up beside buildings such as sheds, and a spark will make it go up like kerosene.'

So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, let this be a reminder to us all: when driving through our beautiful country, always be prepared for the unexpected. And if you find yourself facing a wall of Fairy Grass, remember to stay calm, stay safe, and perhaps keep a story to tell the grandkids about the day you drove through a tumbleweed tunnel.

Key Takeaways

• Authorities in Swan Hill, Victoria, issued a warning after roads became overwhelmed by an influx of tumbleweeds known as Common Blown-grass or Fairy Grass.
• A local woman described an 'unbelievable' and 'eerie' driving experience through massive piles of the dry grass, which were higher than her vehicle.
• Police advised motorists to slow down, use hazard lights, and exercise extreme caution because the tumbleweeds obscure the road surface.
• The combustible nature of the Fairy Grass raises serious bushfire concerns during dry weather and heatwaves, with locals commenting on its flammability and potential fire hazards.

Have you ever encountered a bizarre or challenging situation on the roads? Share your experiences in the comments below, and let's navigate these unexpected Aussie adventures together.

 

[Doug one]

In my younger days we called them Roly Polies. Tumbleweed is an American name.

 

[Jennie]

Nothing new about Hairy Panic, we have it here every year in Coolamon. It builds up in car ports and against shed and house walls. We just rake it up and dump in our green waste bin. Another article about something that is normal in country areas.

 

[Towing]

Is it the one that looks like it rolls or blows across the road on dry windy days? Even more treacherous if there is a dust storm

 

[deni67]

Nothing new about Hairy Panic, we have it here every year in Coolamon. It builds up in car ports and against shed and house walls. We just rake it up and dump in our green waste bin. Another article about something that is normal in country areas.

You country people might know about it but some of us city people don't and it's a good warning for us to be vigilant when driving in the country side!

 

[deni67]

Many years ago we had a locust plague in South Australia, you couldn't go outside let alone drive your car in them, they would whack you in the face and body and you'd have to drive with your wipers on to clear them so you could see while driving.
There were millions of the little blitters, I stopped driving while they were here as it became too dangerous.