The Camping Thread

[Beastie]

Looks like our annual Viscount group booking at Patonga is all systems go for August...

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

Currently sitting around a fire at chookarloo campground in kuitpo. Really nice here although toilets are the same. Given it's less than 30 from home it's ideal for a quick 1 nighter or two.

Managed to get up there for a look today, took some wood and my Hillbilly campfire cook set to make lunch for the little Woman and youngest.
There was a line up to get in off the main road and once in you fair dinkum couldn't swing a cat it was jam packed full of people and cars not to mention the trail bikes.
Did a quick lap, almost got bogged a few times as its just a quagmire with all the moisture and traffic, and got out of dodge quick.
I couldn't justify dragging the camper all that way for what I saw and the thought of screaming trailbikes doesn't inspire me at all.

Ended up back at Chalks for a fire and lunch.

[prydey]

Guess it's just luck of the draw. No sign of trail bikes last week end. It was busy in the picnic areas but not the camping area. We just used a vacant camp site.



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[Trevor 57]

My wife and I are planning a trip in Mid June now Victoria has opened up a bit - not sure where to go yet - got a couple of thoughts, but no 100% sure

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

Guess it's just luck of the draw. No sign of trail bikes last week end. It was busy in the picnic areas but not the camping area. We just used a vacant camp site.

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No doubt, i'd say opening up at such late notice last weekend caught a lot of people by surprise and they more than made up for it this week.

Apart from the crowd I found it a bit lacking in character, the scrub in the campground is a lot more dense than Chalks so you don't really see much around you and it lacks the contours and outcrops around Rocky paddock.

Each to their own and if its local I guess its not so bad, but i'd rather stay on the expressway and continue down to Deep Creek or Rapid Bay if im heading that way personally.

[Trevor 57]

Just spent 7 nights at the Casuarina Camping Area in the Wyperfield National Park - drop toilet cleaned often, no fees, very clean site - you need to come in the Patchewollock end unless you are a true off-roader.

Was busy over the long weekend, which surprised us considering where it is, but absolutely no misbehaving, all very quiet. The last 2 nights we were on our own - 'twas lovely

[MercuryT]

I bought all the camping gear last year for the summer. New ideas and experiences etc.

"Black Wolf" brand which is apparently good quality.

Never camping again.

Ever.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

I bought all the camping gear last year for the summer. New ideas and experiences etc.

"Black Wolf" brand which is apparently good quality.

Never camping again.

Ever.

Why's that?

[BENT_8]

Spent the last 2 weekends in the Murray Mallee region, met someone with 20 acres of scrub land on the banks of a flood plain with a mix of Mallee scrub and river redgum.
As much seasoned wood as you could want, a basic dwelling with flushing toilet, hot water showers and mains power.

The owner is an older single woman who's struggling to keep it maintained so as a token of our appreciation for allowing us to spend time up there we've already helped her tidy up the dwelling and moved furniture she couldn't handle, fixed the leaking roof and laid a 4ft square slab for the rain water overflow tank to sit on and cut her 2 ton of firewood for the combustion heater to get her through Winter.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Why's that?

Nothing against camping as I'm sure it's fantastic for many.

Well;
Brand new blow up mattress must have had a leak and died within an hour.

But worse.
Packing up the tent in rain was a nightmare!! I nearly lost it completely.

Most of it was probably my fault due to inexperience but no, never again.

Hence looking at Caravans!

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Nothing against camping as I'm sure it's fantastic for many.

Well;
Brand new blow up mattress must have had a leak and died within an hour.

But worse.
Packing up the tent in rain was a nightmare!! I nearly lost it completely.

Most of it was probably my fault due to inexperience but no, never again.

Hence looking at Caravans!

I was over a blow up mattress 30 years ago. I am now over swags. We have a LWB High Roof Sprinter Van decked out and a near completed 40 foot Hino bus/motorhome. The swag was burnt on a bonfire 3 weeks ago..........
The last couple of times in the swag killed my back.............

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

The last couple of times in the swag killed my back.............

I could never understand the rationale of a swag.

They seem to weigh quite a bit, have very limited room and cost a lot for what you get.

What is the advantage of a swag compared to a simple 2 person tent that costs 1/4th the price and weighs 1/4 as much?

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

I was over a blow up mattress 30 years ago. I am now over swags. We have a LWB High Roof Sprinter Van decked out and a near completed 40 foot Hino bus/motorhome. The swag was burnt on a bonfire 3 weeks ago..........
The last couple of times in the swag killed my back.............

Sounds great!

I'm genuinely excited about a Caravan.

I love the outdoors with my dogs but camping just seemed like a huge amount of effort for a weekend away (I'm pretty fit but I'm bloody lazy in other ways.....ha)

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Sounds great!



I'm genuinely excited about a Caravan.



I love the outdoors with my dogs but camping just seemed like a huge amount of effort for a weekend away (I'm pretty fit but I'm bloody lazy in other ways.....ha)

If you want to give it a try without too much financial commitment you can rent one and Soo how you go.

There is an online mob that rents out private caravans for pretty reasonable prices a bit like Car next door.



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[prydey]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

If you want to give it a try without too much financial commitment you can rent one and Soo how you go.

There is an online mob that rents out private caravans for pretty reasonable prices a bit like Car next door.



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There are many caravan or camper trailer hire places around. A good idea if you aren't sure about which type of trailer you want or if camping is even for you.

Lots of people buy vans only to discover the layout didn't suit or the van was the wrong size etc etc.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

If you want to give it a try without too much financial commitment you can rent one and Soo how you go.

There is an online mob that rents out private caravans for pretty reasonable prices a bit like Car next door.



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Thanks mate - sounds like a sensible idea before paying the cash and realising not for me.

Not sure if any down here in Tassie but will certainly investigate as I'm usually all or nothing type so best to get some experience first.....

[Burnout]

Was going to the Gulf this year, now that's off.
So I'm off to Emerald, then Barcaldine & Aramac, then Longreach & Winton, then Kynuna & Isa and back to McKinley, then Blackall & Tambo, then Charleville & Mitchell, then onto Miles & home.

And to Scare the little Kiddies, I'm going with Cav. He'll be in his own van, so I can stay sane.
Expect lottsa photos on here of Cake.

[cheap]

^
Suggestion - assuming you have a 4WD

Miles to Roma
Roma to Carnarvon Gorge (camping)
Carnarvon to Emerald
Emerald to Cloncurry
Cloncurry to Lawn Hill (camping)
Lawn Hill to Mt Isa
Mt Isa to Boulia
Boulia to Birdsville (leave the van at Birdsville caravan park)
Birdsville to Big Red and then into Simpson and onto Poeppel Corner (2-3 nights camping)
Return to Birdsville
Birdsville to Miles

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by cheap

^
Suggestion - assuming you have a 4WD

Miles to Roma
Roma to Carnarvon Gorge (camping)
Carnarvon to Emerald
Emerald to Cloncurry
Cloncurry to Lawn Hill (camping)
Lawn Hill to Mt Isa
Mt Isa to Boulia
Boulia to Birdsville (leave the van at Birdsville caravan park)
Birdsville to Big Red and then into Simpson and onto Poeppel Corner (2-3 nights camping)
Return to Birdsville
Birdsville to Miles

Nuh, the RTV will do it all - easy. Gotta look after Cav, you know.
Yours is a nice trip. RTV has done most of that.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

I could never understand the rationale of a swag.

They seem to weigh quite a bit, have very limited room and cost a lot for what you get.

What is the advantage of a swag compared to a simple 2 person tent that costs 1/4th the price and weighs 1/4 as much?

Did 'Salami Day' on Saturday, spent the night in the swag - bloody loved it. Yes I am geting old to be sleeping on the ground, but I have the best nights sleep in my Aussie Darche swag

[davenl5l]

Heading to innaminka for a month or so tommorow via copley and mt. hopeless can't wait

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by Burnout

Was going to the Gulf this year, now that's off.
So I'm off to Emerald, then Barcaldine & Aramac, then Longreach & Winton, then Kynuna & Isa and back to McKinley, then Blackall & Tambo, then Charleville & Mitchell, then onto Miles & home.

And to Scare the little Kiddies, I'm going with Cav. He'll be in his own van, so I can stay sane.
Expect lottsa photos on here of Cake.

So going with Cav, surely you won't classify that as a "Holiday"..........


It's amazing how many camper trailers you see for sale with the words "Used once"..............

[Cav]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

So going with Cav, surely you won't classify that as a "Holiday"..........


It's amazing how many camper trailers you see for sale with the words "Used once"..............

I thought I'd just pop in here for a look around and what do I find?

Some old ugly galoot casting aspersions upon my (good lookin') being.

The only reason he wants to tag along is so he can maybe get a cast off of the many stunning looking chicks that keep hitting on me when I am out in public.

Want proof?



Now I have to trawl through this thread looking for other derogatory comments upon my (good lookin') person.

[Cav]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Nothing against camping as I'm sure it's fantastic for many.

Well;
Brand new blow up mattress must have had a leak and died within an hour.

But worse.
Packing up the tent in rain was a nightmare!! I nearly lost it completely.

Most of it was probably my fault due to inexperience but no, never again.

Hence looking at Caravans!

You can buy my caravan.

I've only had one root in it and that was on a Sunday.

[Cav]

I took a pole recently

100% of people were annoyed that their tent had fallen down.

(Better if you say it rather than read it.)

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Cav

I took a pole recently

100% of people were annoyed that their tent had fallen down.

(Better if you say it rather than read it.)

Did LOL, Champagne comedy Cav

[Cav]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Did LOL, Champagne comedy Cav

I met a girl in a bar recently and she asked me for sex.

She was disappointed, we had sex.

[five 7]

[QUOTE=Trevor 57;6453659]Did 'Salami Day' on Saturday, spent the night in the swag - bloody loved it.

Why do i find this a bit disturbing... Something to tell us Trev?

[raised by monkeys]

Were novice campers. My partner has an SR5 and I bought a well fabbed frame for the tub. we bought a rooftop tent, an awning and some basic accessories i.e. trestle, baby Q. The dogs fit under the frame and we generally go free camping on beaches. Living in SA theres a plethora of spots to visit. We have been south of Adelaide Rapid bay way over Christmas, Moonta coastline, did a few near Whyalla at Pt Lowley and Fitzgerald Bay. Weve now relocated to Pt Lincoln and keen to get to the national parks here and at Coffin, or down the coast to Elliston, Streaky Bay and Ceduna way. Stayed away from national parks because I prefer to take the dogs.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Were novice campers. My partner has an SR5 and I bought a well fabbed frame for the tub. we bought a rooftop tent, an awning and some basic accessories i.e. trestle, baby Q. The dogs fit under the frame and we generally go free camping on beaches. Living in SA theres a plethora of spots to visit. We have been south of Adelaide Rapid bay way over Christmas, Moonta coastline, did a few near Whyalla at Pt Lowley and Fitzgerald Bay. Weve now relocated to Pt Lincoln and keen to get to the national parks here and at Coffin, or down the coast to Elliston, Streaky Bay and Ceduna way. Stayed away from national parks because I prefer to take the dogs.

Evidently in some National park's you are allowed dog's now, as long as they are on a leash.

I was speaking to a ranger just the other week and brought this subject up as I was always lead to believe that "No dog's" were allowed in any National park, according to him as it's to hard to enforce etc they have now only just recently changed some National park's to allow dogs but it's not vocalised as such, as some you can and some still not, the ones you can't are supposed to be sign posted as "No dogs allowed", if no signs then they are allowed as long as on a lead.

It's all very miss guided by the sounds of it.