The Camping Thread

[BENT_8]

It truely is an awesome place, sort of right on the Goyder line so the northern part of the park is arid whilst the Mambray Creek end is lush and cool.

The facilities are second only to Wilpena when talking N.P.
We always keep well away from the amenities block, over by the creek so its really tranquil, but you can camp 5mtrs from the shower door if you prefer.
Talking about showers, 2 hot showers for each sex, open air so you can discuss your plans for the day with the local birdlife as you take your morning shower.
There's plenty of drinking water around the camp ground and free bbq's up by the trail heads means you never find yourself without the essentials.

The sites vary in terrain, some are flat gravel and others are rocky and uneven, theres plenty to chose from so you wont have too many issues.
Many have fire drums with swing away grill and plate right next to them, we bring $50 of mallee and redgum from my local garden centre with us for 3 nights, the fire never goes out and we use the plate/grill provided for everything from making a cuppa to bacon and eggs. just give em a scrub and away you go again.

Theres heaps to do, from the campground you can head towards the highway and check out the grave yard, the old ruins and follow the info trail along the creek line or you can head up through the gorge and on to a number of different locations all within 2-3hr walk, the scenery is breathtaking, i recommend the Battery ridge as it gives you 180* views of the whole gulf, then back through Hidden Gorge, though it is a good days walk so consider your fitness before venturing too far.
Having said that, none of it is beyond the average person, take plenty of water and a jacket, conditions change continually.

You can also make a day trip of it and head around to the northern part of the park via Wilmington through Horrocks Pass, there you can make your way to the Alligator Gorge carpark and explore Alligator Gorge below, its worth a look.

Sorry, i could go on for hours about the place.

[castellan]

I go out to spots that their is no amenities and have a dirt bike to get right out wop wop.
We are on speaking terms with the Yowie, Mick first met him 30 years ago not to mention Mick has been mistaken for a Yowie himself and even been called a silver back on job sights.
I take out as little as need be and sleep in my ute as it's up out of the ticks and snakes and the crocks can't get ya.
Mick and myself were right out in the scrub once and we heard the strange noise growling, never herd nothing like it, but it was not keen on us being their near a water hole in the creek, probably a bunyip, we were not to keen on finding out ether without a gun and that far out best not bother, but we cant get out there anymore because the scrub is to over grown now and even other places we have ridden up to, other people will not go in out of fear, it's great I bring fishing line and just roll it out so we can find our way back, you can't see the sun and the wind in the trees is magic not to mention the places we have seen that spin you out.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by castellan

I go out to spots that their is no amenities and have a dirt bike to get right out wop wop.
We are on speaking terms with the Yowie, Mick first met him 30 years ago not to mention Mick has been mistaken for a Yowie himself and even been called a silver back on job sights.
I take out as little as need be and sleep in my ute as it's up out of the ticks and snakes and the crocks can't get ya.
Mick and myself were right out in the scrub once and we heard the strange noise growling, never herd nothing like it, but it was not keen on us being their near a water hole in the creek, probably a bunyip, we were not to keen on finding out ether without a gun and that far out best not bother, but we cant get out there anymore because the scrub is to over grown now and even other places we have ridden up to, other people will not go in out of fear, it's great I bring fishing line and just roll it out so we can find our way back, you can't see the sun and the wind in the trees is magic not to mention the places we have seen that spin you out.

Ahh, the old Bunyip, everyone loves a good Bunyip story around the campfire.
Well, everyone except the little kiddies, they just **** themselves and hang on to ya leg for the rest of the night.

I must agree though, the best camping has no amenities. Nothing like roughing it in the bush, although, you really dont need to go too far to feel like a pioneer, just have to know where to go.

Theres a few places i take the kayak where you would swear you were 100 miles from nowhere yet are no further than a days paddle from town.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Ahh, the old Bunyip, everyone loves a good Bunyip story around the campfire.
Well, everyone except the little kiddies, they just **** themselves and hang on to ya leg for the rest of the night.

we had a possum making a racket near us one night. it had a laugh that would have rivalled john jarret from wolf creek. it was disturbing.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by prydey

we had a possum making a racket near us one night. it had a laugh that would have rivalled john jarret from wolf creek. it was disturbing.

Ever heard Koalas they are the worst, you will be straight out with the gun and kill the lot.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

The sites vary in terrain, some are flat gravel and others are rocky and uneven, theres plenty to chose from so you wont have too many issues.

just having a quick browse through on the booking site, it gives a small picture of each campsite.

are any grass? or are they all gravel for caravans/campers etc? i know they say suitable for tents, but it looks like they are all compacted gravel, or dirt. have you ever pitched a tent on these? do the pegs go in ok?

not looking to camp again until next school holidays at the earliest, but i'd be tempted to go for a drive one weekend just to check it out, before blindly booking online. i guess once you have been once or twice you get a feel for the layout, but for a first timer, its a bit tough trying to choose a good spot.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

just having a quick browse through on the booking site, it gives a small picture of each campsite.

are any grass? or are they all gravel for caravans/campers etc? i know they say suitable for tents, but it looks like they are all compacted gravel, or dirt. have you ever pitched a tent on these? do the pegs go in ok?

not looking to camp again until next school holidays at the earliest, but i'd be tempted to go for a drive one weekend just to check it out, before blindly booking online. i guess once you have been once or twice you get a feel for the layout, but for a first timer, its a bit tough trying to choose a good spot.

There's not really any grass sites, the sites around the amenities are all gravel, the ones closer to the entrance are a bit rougher, just looking at your tent, you wont have any trouble putting it up on most sites.

Although it doesnt have grassy sites, the whole area is lush and green in the cooler months so it certainly isnt a dust bowl.
Weve been in the warmer months and it gets dry and the river stops flowing so its not as nice, the mid year holidays are perfect, weather permitting.

I've pitched tents and put up the camper trailer tent there, some rocks in places, just have a few strong pegs in your kit, i go to my local steel mart and buy steel rod, then i cut it down and sharpen them up, they go through anything, best to take a good hammer or mallet though.

If you go to the bottom of the Mt Remarkable main page you'll find brochure links. One of them shows the Mambray creek camp ground.

1 is usually occupied by the volunteer park helper and 2 is in a hole.

All the sites from 3and 4 around to about 20 are flat and of decent size, the ones from 21 to 40 arent too bad but are on the bottom edge of the hill and some are uneven. The sites from 41 to 54 are mostly uneven in places and have rocks but its my preferred area.
We often use 44 which weve put a couple of 3 man and a 2 man tent on it has the best fire pit, or when we go as a larger group we get 47 and 48 which is a double site and takes my camper, the inlaws 17' van and two 3 man tents.
It has a pit but last time we were there someone had broken the swingaway grill/plate.

Also of note, theres a farm just as you head up the road into the park, he sells wood if you need it but dont rely on it because i've been when the sign is not out. Its nice to know if you run short, it can get cold up there, i've been when it was -2, we were in tents and the volunteer was worried sick that we'd freeze.
Good for getting a cuddle though...not from the volunteer though.

Were off to Canberra through mid June but when i get babck ill be getting ready for the midyear holiday and Mambray Creek.

[prydey]

Might see you there

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

Might see you there

I'll put the billy on.

[BENT_8]

Anyone camped around Wilpena Pound?