The road behind the road transport industry.
Before there were podcasts about the industry, there was over 150 years of it — from steam-hauled ore wagons to the electric prime movers being trialled today. Here's the short version.
Steam takes to the road
Steam-hauled wagons start serving the copper mines at Yudnamutana in South Australia — the first taste of powered road haulage in the country, decades before the motor truck existed.
The engine takes over
Internal combustion engines find their way into Australian trucks, and within a couple of years the first purpose-built petrol trucks are on local roads.
Rail wins the argument
State governments agree to effectively block interstate road transport, determined to protect the rail networks they'd already sunk money into.
War forces a rethink
With the rail system stretched thin by wartime production and coastal shipping running short, governments turn to trucks to move freight between capital cities — proving the case for road transport almost overnight.
Drivers organise
Owner-drivers and larger operators form the Long Distance Transport Association, pushing back on taxes designed to protect rail freight and laying the groundwork for the industry's growth.
A new tax bites
The Road Maintenance (Contributions) Tax is introduced, adding to the cost of running a truck — and building resentment that would boil over two decades later.
The Razorback Blockade
Truck drivers block the Hume Highway at Razorback, NSW, for nine days over working conditions and road taxes. NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland respond by scrapping the maintenance tax — a defining win for the industry.
Bigger, further, faster
Turbocharged diesel engines let operators haul heavier loads over longer distances, while Kenworth, Mack, Volvo and Western Star cement their place on Australian highways.
A new fuel in the tank
Zero-emission prime movers begin trial runs on Australian routes, with hydrogen and electric power emerging as the next chapter in an industry that's been reinventing itself since that first steam wagon rolled out of a South Australian mine.
This is a general overview, not an exhaustive account — plenty of regional history, company stories and driver accounts aren't covered here. Got a correction or a chapter we've missed? Get in touch and we'll fix it.
Driver & industry tools
A few real tools worth having on your phone or in your operation — not sponsored, just useful.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator — the official source on fatigue rules, chain of responsibility and Heavy Vehicle National Law.
A free Australian work diary app for tracking work/rest hours and staying NHVR compliant.
Crowd-sourced and government fuel price data, mapped by postcode or suburb across the country.
Finds nearby servos, free wifi, toilets, showers and rest stops — handy for anyone doing long stretches of road.
More from the industry
On The Road Podcast is one voice among several covering transport — here's where else to look, starting close to home.
Australia's longest-running trucking publication — news, driver stories and gear, updated daily.
Industry news and operator profiles aimed at fleet owners and managers.
Running since 1992, focused on the people behind the wheel — owner-operators and independent contractors.
News on trailers, truck bodies and the ancillary equipment side of the industry.
A 30-year-old trade title covering transport and logistics at an executive level.
In the United States
Different rules and roads, same job — worth a look for how the American side of the industry covers it.
"The Voice of the American Trucker" since 1961 — aimed squarely at owner-operators.
Coverage of regulation, technology, business and equipment across US trucking and logistics.
Published by OOIDA since 1975, with a focus on legislation and regulation affecting owner-operators.
Business and equipment news aimed at fleet owners and managers.
Freight market data and news covering trucking, rail, ocean and the wider supply chain.
In Europe
Different fleets, different borders, same conversations about pay, safety and the freight that has to move regardless.
A pan-European transport and logistics news site, publishing in seven languages.
The UK's road transport weekly, publishing continuously since 1905.
UK haulage and logistics news, from fleet deals to industrial disputes.
News and case studies from a major European freight-exchange platform, strong on Central European freight.
In New Zealand
Our closest neighbour across the Tasman, with its own long-haul culture and its own long-running trucking press.
New Zealand's original transport industry magazine, running for over 30 years.
Running since 1999 and the official magazine of Transporting New Zealand, the industry's peak body.
A magazine, website and podcast covering commercial vehicles and freight news across NZ.