Logo

81-year-old Eric Steward was discovered in Melbourne, almost 600km (370 miles) from where he started his journey in Yass, New South Wales, after driving from a friend’s house in order to buy a newspaper.

After eight hours on the road Mr Steward asked Victoria state police for help, clearly having realised that somewhere he had taken a wrong turn.

"I just went out on the road to have a drive, a nice peaceful quiet drive. "I didn't know where I was going but I knew it was somewhere, and with a bit of luck I would eventually find my wife again," he said.

Mr Steward’s wife Clare only discovered his whereabouts after reaching him on his mobile phone.

"We eventually knew where he was when I said 'Are there any signs around?' He said, 'uh, Westgate Bridge'," she said in reference to the well known Melbourne tourist attraction.

Victoria state policeman Clayton Smith said Mr Steward approached him at a service station and told him he was lost.

"Although we had to laugh. When we asked him why he hadn't stopped earlier he replied, 'I just like to drive'," he said.

Mr Steward, who suffers from light dementia, was unconcerned about all the attention, citing age as a liberating factor in his escapade.

"It's a lot of fuss isn't it?" he said, adding: "When you get to 80 and beyond it doesn't matter much. He's out there waiting for us and you just got to wait your turn."

He laughed off a suggestion to purchase a satellite navigation system.

"Why would you want one of those? You can't get lost. There is no fun in that."