The Camping Thread

[Junkyard-Dog]

That's a coincidence! I just bought a new double swag today.

Looks like you got a sweet deal.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

That's a coincidence! I just bought a new double swag today.

Looks like you got a sweet deal.

Yeah happy with the price, it's a bit of a wired place to buy from, they always have some ridiculous sale promotion on and delivery time is around a month, as you 'pre order' and then they deliver later.

Their weird business practices nearly put me off buying one, but I am glad I did, it got here a month later as promised, and quality appears to be very good.

Would order again and might order some other gear from them as long as you are not in a hurry to get it.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

Yeah happy with the price, it's a bit of a wired place to buy from, they always have some ridiculous sale promotion on and delivery time is around a month, as you 'pre order' and then they deliver later.

Their weird business practices nearly put me off buying one, but I am glad I did, it got here a month later as promised, and quality appears to be very good.

Would order again and might order some other gear from them as long as you are not in a hurry to get it.

Have you used it yet mate?

[BENT_8]

Hi guys, just got back from 2 weeks on the Gold Coast where my Daughter played in the Australian Open to find our shed broken into and all my camping stuff stolen.
Im ******* fuming, we have contents insurance so im hoping it will be covered, but it makes you feel violated to know some low life has helped themselves to my gear.
Even scarier is that they tried to get into the house. Whilst my wife and i left 2 weeks ago, our eldest son had work commitments.
He'd stayed home by himself and only flew up last Thursday evening as it was our daughters Birthday so we held a bbq/party at Wet n Wild on Saturday and we wanted to surprise her with having all the family together.
We're not sure if it happened whilst he was still here or on the weekend.
He's right into his online gaming and sits in his room which is at the front of the house with earphones on in the evenings so he may have been home at the time.
I shudder to think what may have happened if they got in and he surprised them.

The ****s took our 60L Companion Fridge which is only 12 months old, our 8L Engel Cooler/Warmer we got at the recent Camping show, our battery pack which was a gift from my Wifes parents, the deep cycle battery inside it and the trickle charger that keeps it charged when home in the shed.
Probably a little over $2k worth of gear.

Police came out and said to keep an eye out in Cashies and on Gumtree as alot of this stuff ends up in there.

Im really ****ed off as we hardly ever go away on big trips like this and we come home to this ****, if we'd been away camping instead we'd have had it all with us except the trickle charger.

Now weve got to deal with the insurer. Weve had contents insurance for 20yrs and never had to claim before (not contents, only a couple of not at fault car accidents) so its all new to us.

I told the wife im never going away like this again, if i'd been home it either wouldnt have happened or i'd have caught the ****s and put my bowie knife through them, no questions asked.

Just glad my Son wasnt harmed, the rest can be replaced.

Sorry to vent guys, just really ****ed at the moment, my anxiety is off the scale and im shaking like a leaf.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Hi guys, just got back from 2 weeks on the Gold Coast where my Daughter played in the Australian Open to find our shed broken into and all my camping stuff stolen.
Im ******* fuming, we have contents insurance so im hoping it will be covered, but it makes you feel violated to know some low life has helped themselves to my gear.
Even scarier is that they tried to get into the house. Whilst my wife and i left 2 weeks ago, our eldest son had work commitments.
He'd stayed home by himself and only flew up last Thursday evening as it was our daughters Birthday so we held a bbq/party at Wet n Wild on Saturday and we wanted to surprise her with having all the family together.
We're not sure if it happened whilst he was still here or on the weekend.
He's right into his online gaming and sits in his room which is at the front of the house with earphones on in the evenings so he may have been home at the time.
I shudder to think what may have happened if they got in and he surprised them.

The ****s took our 60L Companion Fridge which is only 12 months old, our 8L Engel Cooler/Warmer we got at the recent Camping show, our battery pack which was a gift from my Wifes parents, the deep cycle battery inside it and the trickle charger that keeps it charged when home in the shed.
Probably a little over $2k worth of gear.

Police came out and said to keep an eye out in Cashies and on Gumtree as alot of this stuff ends up in there.

Im really ****ed off as we hardly ever go away on big trips like this and we come home to this ****, if we'd been away camping instead we'd have had it all with us except the trickle charger.

Now weve got to deal with the insurer. Weve had contents insurance for 20yrs and never had to claim before (not contents, only a couple of not at fault car accidents) so its all new to us.

I told the wife im never going away like this again, if i'd been home it either wouldnt have happened or i'd have caught the ****s and put my bowie knife through them, no questions asked.

Just glad my Son wasnt harmed, the rest can be replaced.

Sorry to vent guys, just really ****ed at the moment, my anxiety is off the scale and im shaking like a leaf.

That sux the big one.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Hi guys, just got back from 2 weeks on the Gold Coast where my Daughter played in the Australian Open to find our shed broken into and all my camping stuff stolen.
Im ******* fuming, we have contents insurance so im hoping it will be covered, but it makes you feel violated to know some low life has helped themselves to my gear.
Even scarier is that they tried to get into the house. Whilst my wife and i left 2 weeks ago, our eldest son had work commitments.
He'd stayed home by himself and only flew up last Thursday evening as it was our daughters Birthday so we held a bbq/party at Wet n Wild on Saturday and we wanted to surprise her with having all the family together.
We're not sure if it happened whilst he was still here or on the weekend.
He's right into his online gaming and sits in his room which is at the front of the house with earphones on in the evenings so he may have been home at the time.
I shudder to think what may have happened if they got in and he surprised them.

The ****s took our 60L Companion Fridge which is only 12 months old, our 8L Engel Cooler/Warmer we got at the recent Camping show, our battery pack which was a gift from my Wifes parents, the deep cycle battery inside it and the trickle charger that keeps it charged when home in the shed.
Probably a little over $2k worth of gear.

Police came out and said to keep an eye out in Cashies and on Gumtree as alot of this stuff ends up in there.

Im really ****ed off as we hardly ever go away on big trips like this and we come home to this ****, if we'd been away camping instead we'd have had it all with us except the trickle charger.

Now weve got to deal with the insurer. Weve had contents insurance for 20yrs and never had to claim before (not contents, only a couple of not at fault car accidents) so its all new to us.

I told the wife im never going away like this again, if i'd been home it either wouldnt have happened or i'd have caught the ****s and put my bowie knife through them, no questions asked.

Just glad my Son wasnt harmed, the rest can be replaced.

Sorry to vent guys, just really ****ed at the moment, my anxiety is off the scale and im shaking like a leaf.

that sucks mate

ill be the calming voice here, what would you rather: seeing you daughter play in the australian open or own some camping gear?

don't stop going away just because of some deadbeats

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Have you used it yet mate?

No only set it up at home to test it out and to make sure its all good before I take it somewhere.

Won't be going camping till mid July when I have leave.

[Beastie]

I made the trek down to Heathcote from Newcastle over the long weekend for the AFF Drag Day..

Not quite camping, as it was a last minute decision, so gramping it was...

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Seems comfortable enough..

[Junkyard-Dog]

I chose to go with the traditional style swag, just what I'm used to and I prefer.

http://darche.com.au/product/traditional-double/

I got it for about $295 with delivery so I'm pretty happy.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

I chose to go with the traditional style swag, just what I'm used to and I prefer.

http://darche.com.au/product/traditional-double/

I got it for about $295 with delivery so I'm pretty happy.

That's very traditional....mine is more like a tent..lol

[Junkyard-Dog]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

That's very traditional....mine is more like a tent..lol

Yeah, yours is almost like a hybrid swag-tent. Interesting to see the differences.

I have stuck with the traditional style ever since a camping trip at age 18 when a mate had a traditional swag and I stayed in a tent with my gf. It rained all night. Gf and I ended up getting drenched by condensation and absolutely frozen but old mate was warm and cozy in his swag

that was a bloody cold night!

[beardo]

Terrible news mate. A holes like that make my blood boil. Bloody no good to society oxygen thieves

[Junkyard-Dog]

That's dreadful Bent 8. There's no excuse for that and I know how bad it feels to be robbed. Hope you feel better soon.

[NC1183]

Quiet appropriate that this thread showed up, I'm just about to embark on a two week trip out into the center of Australia, Simpson Desert, Wilpena Pound, Mt Dare, Birdsvile etc.

Will be mostly roughing it, swags and stretchers under gazebos/awnings and the occasional shower at a Nat Park

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Keep in mind showers at truck stops.

We did a trip about four years ago and took a trailer with camping gear in it.

On the way to Broken Hill via the back way:



Mad Max Country:

[BENT_8]

Thanks for the replies guys, calmed down a bit now, this really has capped off a final few days of our trip.

I should probably give a brief summary of our trip here, even though it wasnt really camping.

We packed the V6 Prado on the 6/6 and left early on the 7th. Onboard were my inlaws and 4yr old Daughter, my Wife and older 2 flew up on the 10th.
Our first night was to be in Forbes, NSW, some 980kms via Mildura, Hay and
West Wyalong.
It was a great drive until i got 500m over the Victorian border, my God i cant believe how bad the regional roads are throughout the eastern seaboard. I had cramp in my hands from gripping the wheel so tight. The stretch between Mildura and Balranald was bearable but between Hay and West Wyalong it is like driving on a corrugated dirt road. I wont comment on the next 1500km...
The old Prado chewed up the K's all too easy and returned descent milage considering the baggage. We made Forbes by nightfall and booked into the caravan park.

The caravan park was interesting, we were only passing through for a few hours so accommodation wasnt really a priority, we booked the cheapest cabin, no ensuite. All good, only a short walk they said. I guess they were right, compared to how far we'd driven, the walk wasnt that far, although we werre the furthest most part of the park that you could care to be.
You get what you pay for...
Up bright and bushy tailed the next morning for the 1000km to my Brothers house.

We were going well, old mate Tom was leading the way, then he told us to turn left into some back road just short of Warwick, i swear it gave us the scenic route. We got into Brissy at 7ish.

I wont bore you with the finer details, but we did Wet N Wild twice, Movie World, hired a Bow rider and cruised the broadwater and Nerang river waterways, Munged out in Sizzler and at the Southport Sharks club, some hilarious amateur stand up comedy there on a Wednesday night.
Did some shopping at Harbour town Southport? and Pacific Fair, some real bargains to be had. Plus all the Bowls.

I gotta say, although housing appears more expensive up there, its offset by the cheaper fuel, food and clothing with the bonus of better wages.
But thats about where it ends, as drivers i cant believe how bad so many are, its no wonder your motorways are scarred with slide marks and littered with broken glass.
Dead set, we'd give a kidney to have motorways like you guys, yet you cant drive on them.
I cant understand how you mob get so many speeding fines as evident in the numerous threads that pop up on here, none of you drive at the speed limit. Its either 10k's under and stopping at every on ramp or 100 through roadworks, it blew me away to weave through the whitches hats only to be swamped by them when obeying the roadwork speed reductions time and time again.
Saw a few coppers, all in one night blitzing the motorway that heads over that big bridge towards the airport at Brisbane, apart from that i didnt think you had them.
Coming back from Coolangatta i saw the most rediculous thing i've ever witnessed on a road, some clown in front of me got nervouse at an on ramp in the dual lanes section of the motorway and actually stopped in the left lane 100k zone to let a car on, i just shook my head.
Moving on...

Coming home was interesting, we left Brisbane on Sunday at around 10.30am looking to make Narrabri by nightfall. It started raining around Ipswitch and didnt give up until we got just short of our destination, special mention to the lovely couple who offered us an umbrella at the HJ's in Warwick so we could get back to the car without drowning, it was torrential.
The accommodation in Narrabri was fantastic and the hosts were so easy to deal with, if your ever round that way give the Southern Cross a crack.
Steer clear of the KFC unless you want depression...lol

Up the next morning and on to Hay, another 700 odd k's and i have to say it was the most trecherous conditions i've ever driven in, the rain was unreal. I was mentally drained by Dubbo from staring through the wipers which couldnt keep up whilst trying to tip toe through the pools of water all over the road, and handed the reins to the mother inlaw who took us through to Parkes.
I jumped back behind the wheel and made for Hay, lucky to get there, much of the road between West Wyalong and Hay was underwater.

Then there was the Army. Must have been moving a whole regiment or whatever thery call them down to Adelaide, lines of army vehicles all doing 80-90k's. The father inlaw got cocky with one driver as we passed, the next bloke in line swung his trailer at us as we passed him and nearly put both of us into the tree's. Obviously radioed by the following vehicle and told to give us a scare, i think he **** himself and the next one we came up behind pulled over and flashed me past. A bit of PR there i think...
Some caravan park got washed out apparently and there were grey nomads everywhere looking for somewhere dry to set down, they had 'em parked in the driveways at Hay.
We made hay by 4.30, booked into the Big 4 and wondered over to the Pub for a well deserved Scotch Fillet. Compliments to the Chef and waitress.

Slept in this morning, got away around 9.30 headed home to Adelaide, ****ing down with rain again, like ground hog day...
Fairly uneventful except for the Landcruiser and XR Falcon Hwy car which came flying up behind me between Euston and Mildura, turns out someone in a VT/X had put it in the tree's, didnt look good, the Army had pulled up and were directing traffic as we passed.
And then we came home to find the place broken into.
The Wife flew home last night but as she got in late she didnt notice the damage to the shed until this afternoon when we went out the back for a coffee.

Sorry, that wasnt really brief was it.

[prydey]

I've done Adelaide to Brisbane more times than I've had hot dinners, and yes, many of the national highways are goat tracks. I don't go via Mildura but through the Mallee so can't comment on Adelaide side of Balranald. There is a section between hay and west Wyalong that is literally like a goat track. Not sure where your your mate Tom took you. I used to go via Toowoomba, but the turn off is at the border. Not sure there's too many other ways to cross the range apart from Toowoomba and Warwick.

I can see how the break in really capped it off for you. Sorry to hear about it. Hope you don't have any issues with insurance.

[prydey]

Oh, and you are spot on about the way they drive up there. Speed limits are for tourists. They are either 10 under or 20 over. 6 lanes each way and they are all over the shop like browns cows.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

Oh, and you are spot on about the way they drive up there. Speed limits are for tourists. They are either 10 under or 20 over. 6 lanes each way and they are all over the shop like browns cows.

Yep, and i think they are oblivious to the fact, that or just ignorant of it.
Either way, you dont realise how good we have it in sleepy old SA until you see how the other side get by, there should be an inquest into whoever's responsible for the whole road network and those who use it over there.

Over the past 12 months the Wife and i had discussed moving up there but after experiencing the stress of negotiating their spaghetti of roads, not even the lure of endless days at the Theme parks could bring me to accept driving amongst them.
Its a good thing that they 'Breed em tuff norf of the bawder' as Anna Bligh told us a few years ago, you'd have to be to want to live there.

Ond honestly, that ****** game of NRL they all get wound up about, i dont get it at all. Went to the Bronco's V Raiders game at Suncorp. Great stadium, fantastic pre game show and sexy cheer leaders, but fair dinkum, the game was a disgrace for the first 20 minutes with fumbling at every tackle, they spent more time cuddling in the scrum than passing the ball, i thought it was going to be a nil all draw.
And Canberra were a discrace, my Brother told me to keep an eye on this blonde bloke who was a chance to be called up for origin duties so im led to believe, but apart from a lucky bounce which saw him go over the line, he barely rated a mention.
I get why they call it a try, lots of trying, not much success.
Didnt even get me free Big Mac for scoring 19+ points, though the AFL should look into that concept asap.

I went there with an open mind as it was my first live game, i usually only watch the SOO series on the telly but it was as boring as bat ****, the father inlaw fell asleep just after half time. Fair dinkum, i was hoping Buck would **** on the ground just to see one of them slide into it for some action, most subdued crowd i've ever been amongst, couldnt hold a candle to a Lions V Freo game in Alice springs as they are now and thats saying something.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

I've done Adelaide to Brisbane more times than I've had hot dinners, and yes, many of the national highways are goat tracks. I don't go via Mildura but through the Mallee so can't comment on Adelaide side of Balranald. There is a section between hay and west Wyalong that is literally like a goat track. Not sure where your your mate Tom took you. I used to go via Toowoomba, but the turn off is at the border. Not sure there's too many other ways to cross the range apart from Toowoomba and Warwick.

I can see how the break in really capped it off for you. Sorry to hear about it. Hope you don't have any issues with insurance.

Hi Mate, Tom is actually my trusty Tomtom 600, well, he was trustworthy until he said turn left in 600m at some unremarkable T junction somewhere on the Goondi side of Warwick, for about half an hour i thought the bloody thing had fried a circuit and got us lost.
I wouldnt have been one bit surprised if it had, those roads rattled my fillings out despite being perched on some quality lambswool seat covers, i can imagine the effect on a mass produced circuit board from China hanging on the windscreen, lol.

Turns out it just took us on a detour around Warwick and back onto the main road through to Ipswich. I was freaking as it originally wanted to take us through Toowoomba but gave me the option to change routes to avoid the Tolls which, being a stingy bastard without an etag, i took.
Bloody thing still led me through 2 tolls anyway despite the scenic journey.
Im sceptical of Tom now, we havent spoken much since...lol

I must say though, that road down through the range from Warwick cuts through some very picturesque countryside and was well worth the stress in the end. Going back up it on Sunday less so with waves of water pouring down it like a river, certainly an experience.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Hi Mate, Tom is actually my trusty Tomtom 600,

yeah i gathered that.

my folks live on an acreage at greenbank so we always go via warwick now, but going via toowoomba isn't a bad option if you are going to brisbane. the warrego (darren lockyer way) is 2 lanes each way divided highway all the way in. it does join up with the ipswich motorway again so much of a muchness.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

But thats about where it ends, as drivers i cant believe how bad so many are, its no wonder your motorways are scarred with slide marks and littered with broken glass.
Dead set, we'd give a kidney to have motorways like you guys, yet you cant drive on them.
I cant understand how you mob get so many speeding fines as evident in the numerous threads that pop up on here, none of you drive at the speed limit. Its either 10k's under and stopping at every on ramp or 100 through roadworks, it blew me away to weave through the whitches hats only to be swamped by them when obeying the roadwork speed reductions time and time again.
Saw a few coppers, all in one night blitzing the motorway that heads over that big bridge towards the airport at Brisbane, apart from that i didnt think you had them.
Coming back from Coolangatta i saw the most rediculous thing i've ever witnessed on a road, some clown in front of me got nervouse at an on ramp in the dual lanes section of the motorway and actually stopped in the left lane 100k zone to let a car on, i just shook my head.
Moving on...

Haha I had to laugh at that, found the same, I lived in Sydney most of my life, spend much time working and driving all over Australia and most capital cities and found the best roads and worst drivers in Australia in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

I go there often as I have family there, and only live a few hours away and every time I am amazed at the amount of speeding and just bad driving you see when out an about, it's scary really.

PS going Via Toowoomba would have been better than Warwick, much better roads, and a nicer drive.

[Junkyard-Dog]

On a more positive note, my new Darche traditional double swag arrived today. I haven't rolled it out yet but already I can tell it is great quality. I will take pics when I roll it out for anyone interested.

It's actually a fair bit bigger I calculated it to be in my mind. Weighs about 14kg, dimensions: ~ 2.1 x 1.4m

Also in a side note, for anyone looking to get a headlamp I have extensively trialed a few different options and now I recommend LED Lenser SEO3. It has both "white" and "red" light modes and the quality is great for the price (I got mine for about $35!). It is sufficiently bright in both modes, has low power mode and flashing modes (useful for signalling and extra battery saving). The red light mode is great for when you want to be inconspicuous or simply don't want to ruin your night vision.

[prydey]

my next camping experience won't be until the weather warms up again, which will likely be the october school holidays.

at least it gives me a chance to save up and buy more kit. Our inaugural camping trip back in April, we borrowed a few things rather than buy, as we weren't sure how it was all going to go and it was a way to keep the costs down. i need to buy a gas stove and maybe an ice box, although my brothers ice box will likely always be available to borrow so thats not critical.

looking at the primus premium 2 burner in a 3 burner size, as this allows two larger items at the same time. not looking at anything too fancy, but have noticed these
https://www.snowys.com.au/Camp-Kitch...&sc=51&id=7130

apparently they have a windblock system that removes the need for a surround. anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

the other thing i borrowed was a small folding solar panel for charging phones. i'd like to buy my own setup for this but don't really need anything extravagent as we found last time we didn't really use our phones much or need the power. how do you work out how much power your phones will draw for a full charge? if my phone battery is around 2000mAH and i get a 6000mAH power bank, does this mean its good for 3 full charges? (those are example numbers, not actual specs) Also, i've noticed you can get those car jump starter packs that have usb outlets, but they are rated in Amps. how would i work out how many charges i'd get out of one of those types of things. sorry for the questions. electrics isn't something i'm good at.

[Junkyard-Dog]

Originally Posted by prydey

the other thing i borrowed was a small folding solar panel for charging phones. i'd like to buy my own setup for this but don't really need anything extravagent as we found last time we didn't really use our phones much or need the power. how do you work out how much power your phones will draw for a full charge? if my phone battery is around 2000mAH and i get a 6000mAH power bank, does this mean its good for 3 full charges? (those are example numbers, not actual specs) Also, i've noticed you can get those car jump starter packs that have usb outlets, but they are rated in Amps. how would i work out how many charges i'd get out of one of those types of things. sorry for the questions. electrics isn't something i'm good at.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/361424636...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I use one of these. charges my phone and re-chargable AA/AAA's no worries. Highly recommend If you are traveling on foot. If using a vehicle there are better options.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

On a more positive note, my new Darche traditional double swag arrived today. I haven't rolled it out yet but already I can tell it is great quality. I will take pics when I roll it out for anyone interested.

my Darche swag is one of the last Aussie (Shepparton) made swags before they started making them in China,, they are good quality, but I reckon the Aussie ones are better - sorry

[Junkyard-Dog]

Well I like the Darche traditional double swag. It is great quality but relatively heavy and quite large. It isn't very good for backpacking/hiking use so I got one of these for when I'm alone/want to go on foot.

http://oztrail.com.au/product-range/...een-by-oztrail

picked it up for $200 new somehow.

[prydey]

Kind of glad the Mrs said no to camping in winter. Cold inside my house, let alone outside in a tent. Brrrr.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by prydey

Kind of glad the Mrs said no to camping in winter. Cold inside my house, let alone outside in a tent. Brrrr.

Yep, if you aren't set up for winter you are going to have a bad time