The Camping Thread #2

[Astrid]

Had our first trip away as a family to a DPI site in the Otways. Must say it was interesting, DH is still a sod to pack with, but we had most of the gear that we needed to do basic camping.

I am completely confused about what people camp for. I thought it was about getting away from it all, getting some peace and quiet, moving at a slower space. Being with nature, blah, blah. Well the site we went to was full people with a tonne of noisy gadgets. Mini bikes, dirt bikes all hooning around the site. Loud boom boxes. One site even had massive speakers with flashing lights Please, please, please tell me that we were just unlucky and came across a camp site of tools and that most camp sites are peaceful. Otherwise if they are all like this, then I am going to veto camping all together!

Oh and Tinks, DH downloaded that app last night

[Miss.September]

Oh gosh Astrid, that's awful! We haven't come across that before but we've always stuck to caravan parks.

[Tinks]

Sounds like you were pretty unlucky Astrid. We tend to stay away from the more popular places so haven't come across anything like that. Although, the last time we camped, our neighbours asked if we would mind if they turned their generator on, we didn't mind so he put it right next to our tent!!!!

[Lenny]

Gee Astrid. That's terrible. We tend to try to head as far away from the world as possible. The only time we had 'interesting times' like you mention we went only about an hour from the Melbourne CBD over a long weekend. I mean, we knew what to expect, and oddly enough once the police and fire brigade left the noise dies down a lot!! (Some dip**** threw a butane can in their fire).
We were doing seem 4x4 ing last year and went though Sheepyard flat around lunchtime. It was mental. It was more crowded than a big 4. We have been their before, but never over a long weekend. Anyway, we doubt well ever go there again.

Wiki camps is good. We found some of our best spots on there when we did our 2month NT trip last year. I've did find some other spots by word of mouth that weren't on there. We didn't add them! Nice to keep some things secret!

[~clover~]

We usually try to find a more secluded spot away from others when we go. Either in the same area, or we head down to the next spot.
We've only really been to 2 busy places so far.
You'll find people try to be near the amenities, if there are any. So we steer clear of those areas. My kids have no worries going in the bush & bagging up the tp. We do a trip to the loos if needed, but dd3 prefers the ground to the long drop toilets we have over here lol.

I haven't done free camping over east though. It's so busy over there, with not a lot of space. It's much quieter over here.

[Astrid]

Normally is meant to be a quiet spot, but by the looks of it, it was just a busy weekend overall. We met up with some 4WD club people, they had tried other spots, but they were also busy.

DH wants to mod the 4wd so we can get to the quieter out of the way spots and we will also get a chemical toilet.

Very different to what I grew up with in Tassie, we were so used to the out of the way spots, where only one or two other groups would turn up to (well this was before mum cracked it and we ended up at caravan parks, rather than having to dig our own toilet)

[BlackCat]

Okay, I've had a quick squizz at this thread, but I was wondering if anyone can help a girl out?

We had planned to go camping as a family a long time ago, but it never happened then and The Man left. So its now just the boy and I for most holidays, well I can't see the other kids wanting to camp with us anyway.

I'm interested in camping as a cheaper alternative to manage holidays. But, is it really? We would need to buy everything to get started as The Man took all that stuff. And to be honest, as we never actually made it camping, I have no real idea what we would need, or if I would even be able to do it on my own. Is it cheaper by the time you have bought everything and set yourself up? Am I just dreaming? How would I even know where to take us? I'm not a fan of long drops

Any tips and advice you could give a full fledged newbie would be great.

[~clover~]

BlackCat, it depends on the type of camping you're looking at. If you're just talking about caravan parks, then you only need your tent, food & cooking supplies, toiletries & bedding really. Most caravan parks have camp kitchens, so cooking facilities are all there. Still cheaper in the long run. For 2 people you'll usually pay an absolute max of $30 per night.

To camp anywhere else, I really think you could do ok without spending loads of money. We manage alright without top of the range.
We have;
tent - cheap, but big. Don't skimp on the tent though... a good one is worth the money
sleeping bags & blankets depending on weather
air mattress & pump for me & DD - about $45 all up
camp cots for the kids - $25-$30 each at big w
small aluminium fold up table... Was given to me. I also use a big black tub I keep all my gear in as a table
Camp chair - we have cheapies, worth paying for again, but you don't have too
Butane stove... about $14 from Bunnings, butane tins are under $10 for 3 at supermarkets
Wind up lantern - $15 at kmart
Torches & batteries, citronella candles & bug spray

I have a plastic cutlery set from woolies I keep in a container for camping. Anything else I need I take from my own kitchen. I have a wire toaster thingy too that we use sometimes. There is plenty out there to make things easier & more comfortable, but that's about it for us. A good sized water container is always a good idea too.

Oh & a bucket, for washing up etc...

[luna moth]

Check Gumtree for second hand stuff!

[BlackCat]

Thanks heaps. So much useful info there clover! I really appreciate that.

Luna, I've been having a look at both gumtree and ebay, but because of where I am located, there isn't much on either. Otherwise, its a small $$ for postage. I think Im a little bit excited hehe!

[wysiwyg]

Had our first trip away as a family to a DPI site in the Otways. Must say it was interesting, DH is still a sod to pack with, but we had most of the gear that we needed to do basic camping.

I am completely confused about what people camp for. I thought it was about getting away from it all, getting some peace and quiet, moving at a slower space. Being with nature, blah, blah. Well the site we went to was full people with a tonne of noisy gadgets. Mini bikes, dirt bikes all hooning around the site. Loud boom boxes. One site even had massive speakers with flashing lights Please, please, please tell me that we were just unlucky and came across a camp site of tools and that most camp sites are peaceful. Otherwise if they are all like this, then I am going to veto camping all together!

Oh and Tinks, DH downloaded that app last night

We had one weekend with mum and dad that was a little like that - really it was only one man who was a pain, but he kept engaging the backpackers into drinking games and guitar playing all night long, then he was going to leave in the morning, but had drained his battery by playing the radio half the night - so then he stayed another night! That was just outside Lorne - a free site and it was over the holidays. Mum and Dad who have now been away four months and stayed at mainly free or very cheap sites often have them all to themselves.

The kids and I went up to near Echuca at around Australia day with mum and dad, and we stayed at a site in Barmah State Park - (thanks for the info Lenny - we also went and investigated the area you mentioned but mum and dad determined was just a little too far from Echuca and also were worried about how close we would be to the river for DS (I am not sure would have been a problem)). It was lovely. We went up to picnic point near Mathoura for the day, and had a lovely time floating down the Murray on pool noodles. I would definitely go to the are again.

Mum and Dad are back after Easter and will be leaving the camper trailer and the car with us till late June. Dad is worried about it being in our garage though, as there is no power socket in there and it is best not to leave the battery in the trailer with no power source. If was parked outside would get enough juice from the solar panel, so we may have to ask a neighbor (if can put the portable panel on his balcony) - am sure we will work something out.

Still not sure if I will use the trailer while they are away - I am a scared of reversing it, and May, June are not the most favorable months for a short weekend break around Melbourne - but we shall see.

[~clover~]

We went to Margaret cove last weekend. Just a quick over night trip. Beautiful.

I think I'll make a BB album. The way some of these spots are set up is awesome. This one was beach access, but it had a table, swing, a seat looking over the beach, all just made from bits & pieces.

Can't wait to see where we end up next

[luna moth]

Favourite spots between Brisbane and Sydney? We're looking to stop at two places, at this stage Hat Head and maybe somewhere in Bundjalung NP. Prefer spacious campgrounds, not fussy about much else.

Also, anyone been to Ben Boyd NP in NSW? Which campground is better - Saltwater or Bittangabee?

Aaaaand, what are your favourite camp oven meals?

[Lenny]

wysiwyg - yay to floating down the river. My kids love it too. Funny you mention the distance - can you be believe that DS1 got bronchitis and my FIL got pneumonia. We drove to Echuca just a few too many times this time around!!

luna moth - I have never used one. We use the Weber and I have a thermal pot too which is good for stews and slow cooking etc. Our regular camping friends use one a lot for large pieces of meat. And we sometimes make a self raising flour damper after dinner and put a few squares of chocolate in too. Yum!

[Astrid]

DH is more the stew/casserole type of cook. So no real camp oven meals from me. I did come across though a gooey chocolate pudding recipe that is for cooking in a camp oven. Think I might give it a go.

We have the 3 burner gas mate, a Cadac Safari chef (bought many years ago very cheap, but now seems to be exxy) and as a backup one of those one burner butane set ups.
Also have a cast iron tripod.

We used to do medieval/viking style camping. So some of out kit come from that. Also is one of the reasons I was so shocked my the dirt bikes, music etc at a normal campsite.

[Lenny]

So, where are are you all going for Easter?

[black_rose]

We are at inverloch racv resort, much fancier than where we normally go but the kids are having a ball.

[black_rose]

We have the weber q too we even made scones in it! Seems much easier than the camp oven especially when half the time we are in caravan parks with no fires allowed.