Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker

Julie Thurston, nearly 18, spends the summer after high school in Port Kirby hitchhiking with her friends. She dreams of becoming a sculptor, while her boyfriend Nick has other plans. The group treats hitchhiking as their main mode of transportation despite parental warnings.

To earn money and stay close to the beach scene, Julie takes a job at the local hangout Karp's Kave with her friend Roz. The gig helps fund her dream of owning a car, and she keeps hitching when she isn't working. Roz sometimes gives her rides on her moped, keeping the wheels turning.

Dana's car is totaled in a hitchhiking incident, though she survives and becomes more dependent on hitching. Rumors of a maniac predator driving around Port Kirby cast a shadow over the group. The danger on the road weighs on Julie and her friends.

Julie hitches with a man who initially seems dangerous, but turns out to be a frightened dad trying to scare her away from hitchhiking. The encounter underscores how unpredictable rides can be. It deepens the parents' concerns about Julie's safety.

Cathy's mother grows suspicious that something is wrong, but Cathy keeps mum about her pregnancy. The secret adds strain to the group dynamics and to the girls' sense of security. They still rely on hitchhiking as their mobility, despite the risk.

A bonfire party on the beach allows the girls to let loose, but Cathy mopes about her pregnancy while Julie offers comfort. The moment highlights the emotional weight carried by Cathy and the solidarity among the friends. The night blends carefree energy with underlying anxiety.

Nick shows up at Julie's job and they break up, with him deciding to go back on the road. Julie's friends reassure her that the breakup will pass and she is better off without him. The split redirects her energy toward sculpting and new connections.

Julie meets Ron, an older man who encourages her art and believes in her talent. They begin a relationship that offers Julie a new path, including connections that could help her study in Los Angeles. Ron becomes a stabilizing influence as threats linger on the road.

Dana is spotted hitchhiking by her father, who subtly warns her about the dangers on the road. The moment underscores the ever-present risk and the protective instincts of family. It reinforces the group’s need to navigate safety amid their freedom.

Cathy plans to obtain an abortion and hitches toward the doctor's appointment. On the ride, she is picked up by the predator and assaulted. She survives but suffers a miscarriage and ends up hospitalized, changing the group's dynamic permanently.

The predator orchestrates a car crash that kills Dana, while the predator survives. The friends gather for Dana's funeral, and Julie struggles to process the loss amid the ongoing danger. The tragedy deepens the sense that hitchhiking is deadly.

Ron comforts Julie in the wake of Dana's death and invites her to Los Angeles to pursue sculpting opportunities. Julie's parents reluctantly allow the trip, hoping the move will steer her toward a safer, more hopeful future. The LA trip represents a turning point for her career and life.

Julie spends time in Los Angeles with Ron, exploring opportunities and showcasing her work. Ron calls with news of a potential sculpture scholarship and a brighter future. She returns home to gather samples and plan the next steps.

To respond to the scholarship lead, Julie hitchhikes back toward Los Angeles and ends up riding with the same predator who attacked Cathy and Dana. The predator assaults her, but Julie survives and shows remarkable resilience. The attack tests the faith she has in Ron and her family.

Julie recovers from the assault with her parents and Ron by her side, and she remains committed to pursuing art in Los Angeles. Her parents express cautious optimism and trust Ron as a positive influence. The film closes with Julie's bright future in view and a final nod to her sister Trish attempting to hitchhike, underscoring the moral against riding with strangers.