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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!!!!
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!
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.
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)
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 :lol:
Any tips and advice you could give a full fledged newbie would be great.
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...
Check Gumtree for second hand stuff!
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!
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.
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 :)
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?
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!
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.
So, where are are you all going for Easter?
We are at inverloch racv resort, much fancier than where we normally go but the kids are having a ball.
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.
We are going to Confest. I just got back from a trip to the camping store. Does anyone else find it stressful packing to go camping?
I definitely find it stressful packing to go camping! Hasn't been too bad since we've had the camper trailer as all of the stuff stays in there except clothes and food, but even packing just the clothes and food is sometimes stressful! Lists definitely make life easier and you can tick off the items as they go in.
Love the weber q. Awesome for camping.
We just flew to Perth and back. I found packing for that far harder than packing the caravan!
No trips here over Easter. We've been back for a week. Planning a weekend to Anglesea soon, probably May sometime.
We hire out our van so can't keep it ready to go like the camper used to be :( it's such a pain because we live on a hill and have lots of stairs and a steep drive with the van at the bottom so packing is exhausting.
I'm supposed to be going to SA today but landed myself in hospital on Monday morning so I'm not going now. Dh and the kids still are, I usually do all the packing over the course of a week but he had to do it all in one day rofl. Luckily I'd already gone through and given the cutlery and plates a wash and stocked up the food over the weekend. He just has to buy fruit and veg once he gets there.
Bugger Tinks! Are you okay?
Well we were off to Margaret cove again tomorrow. Now dd has been vomiting for 3 days I'm not so sure..
Oh dear. It sounds like a few families are needing to alter camping plans.
We still aren't packed fully. DD woke at 3 and 5 this morning and so I had a nap today when she slept and lost some valuable packing time. DP works full time so haven't done anything to prepare for the trip. I'm very aware if not getting narky at him for it but its 3 hours to bedtime and I've had enough of organizing everything.
Sigh.
We're now heading down saturday morning. Which works ok for me. Full day tomorrow to get organised.
Dd seems ok this afternoon (again), so hopefully it'll all work out :) long as no one else gets sick!
We have to hitch a ride from the road down to the cove (need a 4x4!!), so going down with my brother.
It's 9.30am and we are FINALLY leaving after a barney about how to pack the car. Fingers crossed for fine weather wherever everyone is camping.
Stay safe, have fun and I'm looking forward to hearing about everyone's adventures next week.
I hope everyone has a great time away where ever you are heading this Easter. Safe travels on the road.
I'm jealous because DH is away working so I'm not going anywhere because I can't tow the van plus there is the small issue if getting it out through the garage first lol
Hope everyone had fun over the break! We made good use of it and instead of going away, we went to Ray's sale lol. We've laybied a new tent, 4wd mattresses and sleeping bags and scored 40% off overall. We'll now be equipped to go both rough camping and caravan park camping.
We're going to go down the Great Ocean Road for Mother's Day, take a long weekend. Taking the caravan. Once we pick up the tent, we'll do a rough camp somewhere to make sure we 're equipped enough to do a two week trip.
I want to buy one of those portable toilets for DD1. Are they as gross as I'm expecting?
We have - it was only way DH could get me to go free camping :). That was pre-kids and I only would use it for no. 1's.
Post kids, after changing nappies of all descriptions emptying portaloo isn't a big deal anymore lol. Still gross but bearable ;)
I couldn't do it. I actually thought about it this trip. And was grateful my kids are ok without, lol.
We had a good weekend :) a few showers, bit wet easter morning, but tarp city was great. Course it stopped raining not long after we got it all up ;)
I need to invest in a good quality tent. But I don't see the point when my ultimate goal is 4by & camper trailer. Better start on those lotto tickets again ;)
I don't mind the 'no toilet' when we are own our own. But I really dislike free camping with a group, and not having a toilet. It's just too difficult. Now DH uses it sometimes too!
Where we went over Easter was super busy, unexpectedly. So we had our group, plus an extra couple of trailers who parked in right beside us because there was no where else to go. Having a 'toilet' was a godsend!
We are considering a portable toilet. Mainly for the kids at night and of course depending on where we are.
Last camping trip, the toilets were pretty bad, but made much worse by someone emptying their portable toilet into one and getting it all over the toilet. So disgusting and inconsiderate of them. They would not use the toilets themselves ended up making one unusable for everyone who had no choice.
Right there! You've got me completely convinced!!!!!!!:
I'll be fine using a long drop if necessary but I know DD1 will freak.
We had a portable loo when we had the camper all three kids were in varying stages of toilet training and struggled with squatting on the ground. We put it in the outdoor shower so they had privacy when going too. It's often hard to find quiet spots on the long weekends now.
We have a thunder box toilet - it folds flat for storage & is very sturdy to sit on. We use biodegradable bags that we cut the bottom out of, dig a hole & place the toilet over the hole with the bag acting as a chute. When we're finished the bag gets folded into the hole & covered up. Obviously this type of loo is only good for free camping out bush lol :)
Dd3 doesn't go much on the long drops either. The others are fine, but dd feels more comfortable on the ground.
A camping question - does anyone have a caravan, camper trailer etc that they need to charge at home (or just maintain the battery on) - is my understanding that home circuits are 10A but the caravans and camper trailers are all 15A - and the only legal way to convert between - e.g. to plug into a home circuit is to use a specific product (Ampfibian) or get a 15A circuit installed? Does that sound right? We have just discovered this after arranging to leave mum and dads camper at a friends for two months and realizing the issue :-( Think will end up getting the product as mum and dad will visit various relatives etc and want to plug in - just wish had understood earlier.
I am hoping to get a power outlet put into our garage so we can store for them/use in future - if body corporate agrees.
DH says for he purposes of parking and charging batteries only, the Ampfibian will work. If you plan on occupying the van for lengthy periods (so if you're parents are staying in the van while at relo's homes) then installing the 15 amp power outlet is better as it's less restrictive and you will have full use of the caravan.
The set up we had here for mum's van was a 15amp weatherproof power outlet that they plugged into because they had a 15amp extension lead. It gave the van full power.
The other option while it is parked at your friend's house is to fully charge the batteries, then disconnect them so they don't get drained and as they aren't connected to anything, they don't need to be constantly charged. Having them on charge all the time will ultimately shorten the lifespan.
Cheers Miss Sept - they don't need for it for occupying while at peoples places just for keeping up the charge - so sounds like Ampfibian will be the way to go.
Interesting what you say about having them on charge shortening the lifespan because it seems opposite to what my Dad has been told - whatever the type of battery it is it needs to be kept above about 50% or it sulphates (??) or something, and the power does trickle out (very slowly but it does) - maybe you can't disconnect the battery? He has been researching for ages about what to do to maintain the battery when not using it - he was hoping the solar panels would be good enough but not enough sun this time of year on our driveway for that.
My parents were told the same thing about their batteries. DH is saying that yes, they will go flat slowly, like a trickle. They will discharge over time if not in use. And like a car battery, if they go completely flat, then they're pretty much stuffed. A lot depends on the type of battery - deep cycle batteries are different.
Personally, I don't know much about all of this! I asked him your question and am writing out his answer. He said if it was our van, he'd put in an isolator switch where he could switch them off and then charge them up once a month or so.
If it was me, I'd go with the manufacturer's advice simply because they will be the one to cover the warranty if the batteries don't last the way they are supposed to ;)