The Camping Thread #2

[Doing my best]

need to get a new tent. Make and/or model that you would recommend? DH was used to serious survival type camping from his early days in scouts and adventurers in UK but don't think we will need anything that can survive gale force winds or sub zero temps like he did. Saw one (think it was called a Huntsman) which had 3 bedrooms and central area which looked okay as was thinking one room for DS, one for us and another to stash stuff away leaving central area free if we wanted?

- air bed type matress or self inflating number from Dune or similar manufacturer? From pre kid (and I think even marriage) time we got an enormous one that was self inflating but seriously it literally needs its own trailer to be taken anywhere so we need to downside - I think it might even had been a queen! Air bed matresses I was concerned if there was any stones etc they could puncture. The self inflating numbers still seem to be quiet big. Would you recommend a double for DH and I or two singles or just go the matress.

- Any essential items you think are a must have?

Will have to go through camping stuff in garage to work out what we have since last time we camped - 6 years ago I'd say - and what still works lol!


Really looking forward to it. Will be fun and loving the idea of introducing it to DS and his friends. Want to make sure they don't grow up to be just "city" kids.


Cheers

I thought that till last weekend.. We went away.. Was expecting a storm, but we had strong winds all night.. The tent was blowing in on us all night.. 2 nearby campers even packed up and went home in the middle of the night, haha..

I am joining this thread.. We took DD (5 in a few weeks) and DS (just turned 3) for their first camping trip last week, and they loved it, despite the gale forced winds.. We are in the market for a new tent as ours has done a few desert trips with dh and his mates, and is a tad small for the whole family.. DH and my brother are going to transfer our trailer into a camping kitchen and storage for the tent and stuff over the christmas break.

Wisywyg - we have a mazda 3 (so similar size to corolla) that we tow a trailer with no hassles. And while we are doing civilized camping (campgrounds on sealed routes), we will continue to use it.. We do have access to a 4x4, but for just getting away for the weekend with the kids, it isn't worth the extra fuel, IMO..

[Now we're 3]

Thanks ladies some great information and feedback here.

LOL about not using sleeping bags - I'm definitely a "taking the doonah" kinda girl - in fact when we used to go camping previously I actually had a doonah set that was spefically used for camping!

Will defo go the single bed line but am torn between the Dune and air matress. PO'd with myself as Annaconda has a brill sale with 40% off Dune which we just missed (ended last Sunday) so might go the air matress while we see whether DS actually likes camping before I shell out full price on the self inflating - that or wait another few weeks and check out the next sale!

Do have a question you mentioned about it being better to have the stretcher with the air matress as it would be too cold. Would this really be the case during summer? If so would be best of space and probably price wise just forking out for the self inflating? Starting off we will only be doing fair weather camping and for 2 nights max. As DS get older we can go for longer and could then "up grade".

Anyhoo will check out what else we need and then head to shops to start the purchasing! Thanks again

PS Doing my best - not going to let DH see your post lol - as otherwise he will be buying all the extreme gear in a flash!

[Nai]

Wysiwyg I saw a trailer tent hire place (advertised on the back of a trailer) the other day called johnno's which I think is in the northern suburbs. Maybe renting one would work for you?

[wysiwyg]

Nai - will check out Johnnos cheers, I had seen something similar previously but they didnt have any they said would be suitable for a Corolla and didnt want to have to hire a big car too.

[Beach Mama]

Oh so quiet in here! How is everyone going - anyone heading away for Labor Day?? We are off to Warburton again, this time tenting it as we sold our Eagle outback (boo) should be fun but I am a bit nervous about being in a high risk fire zone with weather in the low to mid 30s all week and then looking like 35 for the 3 days we are there. Eeeps. Trying to think of what we are going to cook for 16 people too seeing as we are on dinner for Sunday night - especially seeing as it will probably be a total fire ban and we wont be able to use stoves - thinking we might bring a microwave seeing as we have a powered site!!

Off to stalk this thread for ideas and lists of stuff that I need to take! DH has been in Japan for 3 weeks and arrives Friday and we leave Saturday our lives are not boring!

[black_rose]

Wow Tan you will have to get creative for dinner! We are staying home for the long weekend but heading to rosebud at Easter which should be fun, we still have the camper but are thinking if swapping for a van soon.

[Tinks]

Are you camping on the river Tanstar?

[Beach Mama]

Sure are Tinks - same site as last year at the caravan park and our site is about 20 metres to the river! Was about 20 degrees each day last year so will nice to be able to swim in the river and cool off! Am I silly worrying about fires?? You live or work there don't you!?

[Tinks]

I live there.

Um, like any fire prone area you just have to have a fire plan. If there's a fire you won't be able to pack up and leave, the road will be blocked off so you'll be stuck in Warby until they open it again. The schools are fire refuges but they're still getting them up to code so they're not usable yet. The footy oval is probably the safest place.

[Beach Mama]

Yeah see that's the thing if we were Home plan is set but kind of weird when we are camping and the one rd in and out worries me a bit. Will have a chat to DH when he gets back from Japan... Day before we leave and will update my CFA for local warnings in the meantime as well.

[Tinks]

I'm sure the caravan park would have a procedure in place too. Maybe ring them before you go if you feel you need to.

[Beach Mama]

Oh good idea Hun, my anxiety makes my brain not work! Xxx

[Tinks]

You'll be ok.

[Jaycee]

We are off camping this weekend at Waikerie (SA riverland). My brother has a boat so we'll spend a lot of time on the water, skiing and knee boarding, should be fun!

Next month we are off on a 3 week adventure, to Fraser Island, Gold Coast and then down the NSW coast over to Armidale (DH's mum lives there) and back home. I am seriously excited!

We bought a hard floor camper trailer a few months ago and it's fantastic, makes camping so much easier now

[Beach Mama]

Have fun Jaycee!!! Sounds great!

[wysiwyg]

Having an unexpected day off work - researching various camping things as my dad has finally decided to retire, and him and mum will do the grey nomad thing next summer - which means we will get to use their gear while they are in UK (so autumn winter) - he is planning on car plus trailer tent. I think he is going to come this winter and get the car and hire a trailer tent - so any ideas on winter camping? He has to make sure doesn't put my mum off :-)

[Lenny]

Do they want to be cold or warm? I.e. are you looking for lovely wintery places or heading north/west for some sun?

We have only done a few winter camps, and we usually camp low in the high country (I.e. down by a river in Liccola) and then it's a shortish drive up to the snow for a play.

Or we go to inverloch/lakes and wander about on the sand, but in out beanies. I love the beach as much in the winter as the summer.

[Beach Mama]

I can vouch for Invy seeing as I am a res now!!! It's amazing on cold, grey days!!! Plus lots of rockpooling and exploring can be done on non-swimming days!

Just popped in to say we had a great time at Warburton - my anxiety was ok even though you feel so enclosed and the thought of a fire made me want to pee my pants but the park did have an evacuation plan in place for an emergency so I felt better! River was the best place to be - kids floated down on blowup rafts and swam and generally had a fab time!

We only winter camped with our van with a powered site and had an oil heater in it!!!! They could head up to the river where it might be a bit warmer, Grampians or Wilsons Prom are great and lots of hiking can be done!! Depends what they like to do with their time, if they like hiking those ideas are good, if they like antique shopping/markets then somewhere like Bright, Daylesford/Castlemaine might be better, history - Ballarat (although it's freezing in winter!) but generally if you are well set up with bedding, clothing, wherever you go will be cold. Also look at campsites where you can have an open fire in a pit or container thing, would be nice to snuggle around at night.