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http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl Member Run Boards >> Travel >> Camping http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1420778397 Message started by Annie Anthrax on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm

Title: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm

We have decided to introduce camping into our lives. We've purchased a good quality tent and a camping stove and will add to that over the next month or so until we have the supplies we need. The whole family love fishing so our destinations will be arranged around it.

Do any of you go camping? Any recommendations for good camping spots? We don't care about facilities as we'll be going pretty basic. Obviously proximity to a fish filled river would be nice. We're in SE QLD and will probably stay within a couple of hundred km from home the first couple of times, but any good locations could come in handy down the track.

Any tips for novices?

Title: Re: Camping
Post by AiA on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:55pm

I was a counselor at Camp Crystal Lake (you may have heard of it) when Jason Voorhees began picking off the counselors one by one and I barely escaped. You may want to reconsider the camping idea.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by ian on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:02pm

Practise putting the tent up before you go.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:07pm

AiA wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:55pm:

I was a counselor at Camp Crystal Lake (you may have heard of it) when Jason Voorhees began picking off the counselors one by one and I barely escaped. You may want to reconsider the camping idea.

I appreciate your concern, but I'll be ok. I think I'm the fastest runner in my family. The kids have little legs, and lets face it, I only have to beat them.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:08pm

ian wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:02pm:

Practise putting the tent up before you go.

Yes, we'll probably do a dry run in the back yard. My neighbours should be good practice for any wild animal encounters.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by HooYAY its FriYAY on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:11pm

Good for you.

We love camping and have bought a second hand CUB camper that has a small 12ft punt on top and a 8hp motor attached to the camper tow bar, next to the gas bottles.

Can offer no advice on your area.

Good eskies.

Always use as much block ice as you can.

If you can afford it get a fridge freezer, a small generator (incorporate solar charging if you can) small chain saw, axe, shovel (you never know), recovery equipment in case you get bogged, including fuses for you car, roll of strong tape, some wire (you never know)

Don’t forget the toilet paper and rubbish bags and insect repellent and stubbie holder and chair!

Always good to have a few extra tarps.

Obviously heaps more….

And importantly, “Let someone know before you go”

8-)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by AiA on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:36pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:07pm:

AiA wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:55pm:

I was a counselor at Camp Crystal Lake (you may have heard of it) when Jason Voorhees began picking off the counselors one by one and I barely escaped. You may want to reconsider the camping idea.

I appreciate your concern, but I'll be ok. I think I'm the fastest runner in my family. The kids have little legs, and lets face it, I only have to beat them.

Yes, and if your family are chased by a cannibal he will appreciate the taste of the young ones which I understand tastes like a good piece of veal.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Aussie on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:47pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

Yeah. Don't go without at least one of these.

Link/

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:53pm

what sort of tent did you buy..

recently while in a location we had some people move in next to us and it took them absolutely ages to put their tent up..

it was a canvas one with steal poles

I was thinking, if I were to go back I'd go lightweight and cheap.. when the floor get holes or the zippers stuff up then just get another one..

when we went from vic to dawin and return on our motorbike we spent 4 weeks in a six man tent... but it was only 3 fibreglass poles.. corner to corner and one across the front for the little shade.. we'd only use half the pegs as the stuff we put in it held it down.. unless a storm as coming in..

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:56pm

here's my eskey and cooker that I used when travelling across the Nullarbor.. :)

my camp.. :)

my rig.. :)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 4:01pm

our Darwin camping trip :)

a pic of our tent..

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Baronvonrort on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 4:14pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

I have an Ozcape slide on camper which fits on my Hilux, I can unload it and leave it at base camp and still drive around.
I prefer a little luxury.

Don't buy ice bricks or any of that crap for ice, use plastic drink bottles filled with water for ice, when it defrosts you have more drinking water.

If you go into remote areas pick up a cheap EPIRB, I would probably carry mine in hand luggage if I was flying on any Asian airlines.
You can register your details so they know who it is who needs help in case of emergency, check out boating/yachting supply stores as well for price.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Honky on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 4:20pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:56pm:

here's my eskey and cooker that I used when travelling across the Nullarbor.. :)

my camp.. :)

my rig.. :)

Nice bike. What is it?

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Black Orchid on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 6:02pm

Enjoy your camping, Annie, the kids will probably have a great and exciting time. It's something good to store in their memories.

I used to love camping but I prefer more comforts nowadays.

BTW nice bikes/pics Mechanic.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Black Orchid on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 6:08pm

AiA wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:55pm:

I was a counselor at Camp Crystal Lake (you may have heard of it) when Jason Voorhees began picking off the counselors one by one and I barely escaped.

Wow that's pretty scary :o

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Aussie on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 6:22pm

Black Orchid wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 6:08pm:

AiA wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:55pm:

I was a counselor at Camp Crystal Lake (you may have heard of it) when Jason Voorhees began picking off the counselors one by one and I barely escaped.

Wow that's pretty scary :o

What is the scary bit about fiction?

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Setanta on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 6:42pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

Jerusalem Creek near Evans Heads is nice. No river/estuary fishing but beach fishing is OK. Not too far for you to travel.
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/Bundjalung-National-Park/Black-Rocks-campground/camping

Use Google images for pics. "jerusalem creek camping nsw"

Title: Re: Camping
Post by John Smith on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 7:47pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

My wife got the same idea a little over a year ago ... bought all the latest and greatest equipment (a couple grands worth), everything we could possibly use including a kitchen sink ... it's taken up about a third of my garage ever since, unopened. I've mentioned to her several times that we should take the kids, but no, it seems she's happy just walking past the camping equipment every now and then, there is no need to use it.

WOMEN ::) ::) ::)

:D :D :D :D

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Postmodern Trendoid II on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 9:48pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

Bagara and Hervey Bay. The fishing off the Hervey Bay jetty (the longest one) is the best I've encountered, and off the rocks at Bagara is the second best. Both towns have a few camping spots.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 9:50pm

... wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 4:20pm:

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:56pm:

here's my eskey and cooker that I used when travelling across the Nullarbor.. :)

my camp.. :)

my rig.. :)

Nice bike. What is it?

Triumph Rocket III

2.3lt motor...

more horse power than the Melbourne Cup race day.. :)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 9:56pm

Black Orchid wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 6:02pm:

in terms of our travels.. you ain't seen nothing ;)

some of my fondest memories are of going camping with my parents.. it seemed to be dads thing...

we had a little caravan and us kids would either sleep in 2 man tents or in the back of the XR stations wagon with the windows chalked out...

good times... :)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Baronvonrort on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 9:33am

John Smith wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 7:47pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

I usually just wrap food in foil and put it on the hot coals from the fire,only need to wash plate knife and fork afterwards.

When I cook free range duck the best method is to gut it then cover it in a clay type of mud and throw it on the fire.
When cooked the mud turns rock hard,break it open on a rock and it plucks all the feathers off it,it cooks in its own juices and very tasty.
An Aborigine taught me that method.

I only really se the gas cooker in the slide on camper for morning coffee or if it's raining

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Doctor Jolly on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 2:39pm

Aussie wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 3:47pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

Yeah. Don't go without at least one of these.

Link/

Not as stupid as it sounds. A caravan/popup/camper trailer holds it value so even after a few years you can get most of your money back. Look for one less rhan 10 years old.

They have a significant advantage over tenting in ease of setup, comfort and weather proof and the amount of stuff they can carry.

As far as camp grounds go, the big4 parks are like resorts these days.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:07pm

Thanks heaps everyone.

If we can go before the end of March, I'm going to take Misty's advice and go to Bargara. It's close to Mon Repos and with any luck, we'll get to see the turtle hatchlings make their dash to the sea.

I've been to Bargara once before for lunch last year. We were lucky enough that our visit coincided with some kind of biker rally where they do a weird pub crawl cum treasure hunt thingy with marshals in fluoro along the way. Anyhow, we were sitting there nursing our drinks and 14 billion bikers in leather and patches etc streamed in. I had questions about some of the badges they wore but my husband rushed me out before I could ask anyone. Apparently it's an annual thing, so I might get another chance one day.

I found a very good website if anyone is interested. It's listings of private properties that allow camping. Really handy if you go to festival etc and can't find accommodation.

https://www.youcamp.com/

Title: Re: Camping
Post by freediver on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:10pm

If you like the beach, Inskip point is nice, but crowded. You can do it in a 2wd if you are careful. The fishing is good also. Othwerwise, try somewhere off the grid. All the little rivers and creeks (and headlands) in northern NSW are great, and probably more child friendly. There are plenty of fish once you get south of the border.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by John Smith on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:13pm

good site .. thanks annie ...

it might inspire the missus to unwrap all the camping gear. ;)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Aussie on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:15pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:07pm:

Memory might be failing me.....but I thought those hatchlings emerged around this time of year. March is stretching it, a little.

But ~ Bargara is a good spot. The 'sand' beaches are man made, and small, but all good. Bundy just inland about 20 minutes. It'll be bloody hot as well.

Mention my name and you'll get a "good seat."

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:17pm

freediver wrote on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:10pm:

Thanks. We spend Christmas at Rainbow every year. I've never actually been to Inskip point though. I will make sure we do next year. My dad has a troopie so we'd take that. The Carlo sand blow and walk to the tea lake are great - all that running around makes the kids happy and tires them out which in turn makes me happy.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by freediver on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:18pm

A tip - get an enourmous tarp, or one of those gazebo type things for shade. No-one wants to be inside a tent in hot weather, no matter how big it is. But shade is essential, especially if there are not a lot of trees. A $20 tent will do for sleeping in and storing gear, or even just one of those camping swags.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:19pm

Aussie wrote on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:15pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:07pm:

The turtle centre say til the end of March.

I'll say "Aussie sent me, so I need a good seat please."

Title: Re: Camping
Post by A.G on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 6:25pm

freediver wrote on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:18pm:

Yep and you can also wrap your bed in this...when you stop to camp out she rolls..keeps you dry in the wet and warm in the winter.. and when we came across more remote locations and stumbled across an artesian bore...scooped out a bunch of dirt and lined with the tarp and had a great warm mineral water bath..so beautiful. I have done camp trip's in a very minimalist style, usually fishing trips in NT etc--and next time want to go glamping.. but I will have to do that in the backyard.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Black Orchid on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 6:37pm

The youcamp website looks like an excellent site. I passed it on to one of my kids who wants to go camping next week with a friend. He has absolutely nothing pertaining to camping except a 3 man tent which he has dragged out and just left it in the middle of the lounge room floor ::)

The idea is to go quad biking apparently.

I haven't been camping since I was 20 and we camped at Scotts Head on the mid north coast of NSW and did a bit of fishing at Fishermans Reach. Mainly Bream and Flathead on the river and I used to throw the Bream back. Too many bones for me.

South West Rocks is good for fishing but quite a ways south of the border, too.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Postmodern Trendoid II on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 6:16am

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 11^th, 2015 at 4:07pm:

There's a path from Bagara to Mon Repos. It's about a 15 minute walk, from memory. It starts at the end of the caravan park located right at the northern end of Bagara. Just walk a bit passed the tennis courts and you'll see the path with a gate. There's a little museum of sorts at Mon Repos telling you all about the turtles.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by it_is_the_light on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 7:13am

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 8:17pm

Rule one...Always appease the ant gods ... I'll add picks when I get back from hiking at the end of the week... ;)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 15^th, 2015 at 10:47pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 8:17pm:

Rule one...Always appease the ant gods ... I'll add picks when I get back from hiking at the end of the week... ;)

ok.. so depending on where you are situated... you need to appease the "ant gods" when camping so that they don't invade your space..

so 2 to 3 meters away where no one goes... plant some food.. this may be a can of food you emptied out with only the crumbs left.. or even a bit of fat off a chop..

keep them happy and keep them out of your tent.. :)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 15^th, 2015 at 11:44pm

Mechanic, do you do geocaching?

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 3:14pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 15^th, 2015 at 11:44pm:

Mechanic, do you do geocaching?

no, I've had a quick look around my area but there was nothing around... I could always set up my own I suppose...

I did lay down this track recently... if I wanted to I could go back in and drop a Geo into it one day..

http://adventures.garmin.com/en-US/by/the-mechanic/tower-hill-lakes-edge-walk-with-lava-tongue/#poi-list

Title: Re: Camping
Post by gizmo_2655 on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 8:12pm

AiA wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:55pm:

I was a counselor at Camp Crystal Lake (you may have heard of it) when Jason Voorhees began picking off the counselors one by one and I barely escaped. You may want to reconsider the camping idea.

LMAO...

Title: Re: Camping
Post by greggerypeccary on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 8:15pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 15^th, 2015 at 11:44pm:

Mechanic, do you do geocaching?

I have no idea what this is.

Is it a German sexual fetish?

Title: Re: Camping
Post by John Smith on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 8:45pm

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 8:15pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 15^th, 2015 at 11:44pm:

Mechanic, do you do geocaching?

I have no idea what this is.

Is it a German sexual fetish?

I guess that depends on what you put in your cache ... Knackwurst anyone?

Geocaching /ˈdʒiːoʊˌkæʃɪŋ/ is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching

Title: Re: Camping
Post by ashlee on Jan 17^th, 2015 at 7:39am

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:39pm:

I love camping, but, there must be, at the very least, an ablution block within a mile radius. Women in particular will understand this minor request. Oh, and lots of water, insect repellent and loo roll. :)

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Jan 17^th, 2015 at 8:45am

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 8:15pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 15^th, 2015 at 11:44pm:

Mechanic, do you do geocaching?

I have no idea what this is.

Is it a German sexual fetish?

I hope so.

It's also a global kind of treasure hunt based on clues that relate to GPS coordinates.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Phemanderac on Jan 17^th, 2015 at 10:05am

AiA wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:55pm:

I was a counselor at Camp Crystal Lake (you may have heard of it) when Jason Voorhees began picking off the counselors one by one and I barely escaped. You may want to reconsider the camping idea.

I think I now understand Mr Voorhees motivation...

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 17^th, 2015 at 4:00pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 17^th, 2015 at 8:45am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 8:15pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Jan 15^th, 2015 at 11:44pm:

Mechanic, do you do geocaching?

I have no idea what this is.

Is it a German sexual fetish?

I hope so.

It's also a global kind of treasure hunt based on clues that relate to GPS coordinates.

I run a Garmin 64s with Australian Topo maps on a mini SD card... I also overlay Birdseye over the areas im going to hike..

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Jan 20^th, 2015 at 6:31am

on the weekend I saw a roll up table in Kmart in their camping section...

goes in a bag about the size of a fold up chair... its only a small table but big enough...

could have done with one of these on our bike tour up to Darwin...

when I go out now I use two small foldup wooden tables....

they pull apart at the centre and then fold flat..

oh, found one on line :) .. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/table-in-a-bag

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Black Orchid on Jan 20^th, 2015 at 11:17am

Great idea. I came up with a 'bed in a bag' once but procrastinated prior to launch and got pipped at the post.

It wasn't the first time either >:(

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Annie Anthrax on Mar 15^th, 2015 at 9:34pm

I think we have everything we need now except sleeping bags. And a jaffle iron, which isn't exactly a necessity but I really want one.

We're going to go over the Easter weekend. My dad has 40 acres on the Burnett River, so we've decided that will be a good way to ease into it. If we have forgotten something we desperately need, it'll only be a short distance away and we can still fish and swim and make a fire. There are motorbikes and horses too.

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Aussie on Mar 15^th, 2015 at 9:55pm

Annie Anthrax wrote on Mar 15^th, 2015 at 9:34pm:

Jaffles....who doesn't just luuuurve them. I have two of said irons. Of course you'll be discreet in your answer but....the Burnett River is my 'home river,' so.......where........very generally is that patch?

Title: Re: Camping
Post by The Mechanic on Apr 7^th, 2015 at 9:11pm

Aussie wrote on Mar 15^th, 2015 at 9:55pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Mar 15^th, 2015 at 9:34pm:

I beg to differ.. they are an essential for the type of camping you are doing... :)

when I was in the Army and out on the Range, a couple of Jaffle Irons were always part of the kit...

when rations are low or mundane you could always make something different with the Jaffle Iron...

we grew up with them as kids.. our dad introduced us to the Iron... then we'd make our own putting all sorts of crap on them... so your kids can make their own lunch and put on it whateva... if they don't like it then too bad... they made it... ;D

Title: Re: Camping
Post by Lord Herbert on Apr 7^th, 2015 at 9:19pm

Mosquitoes and flies. Be prepared.