Camping megathread.

[Rhino]

I know there are a lot of guys interested in fishing and diving...
Thought there might be some interest or crossover into camping.

I've only dabbled in camping and it's been at caravan parks... (Not really camping)

I'm not yet set up for free camping but would love to do it, and do it often.
Upgrade the car to a 4wd, get the fridge, the tables, showers and all the other kit.

What gear have you got?
What gear is awesome?
What gear would you stay away from?
Found a favourite spot you'd like to share? 2WD or 4WD accessible.
Great 'lite' equipment.
Or Taj-freakin-Mahal equipment.
What tips and tricks have you learned along the way?

My very modest list of gear includes:
Black Wolf Turbo Plus 240 (might look at the basecamp fly addon later - soon to get its first outing)
Wanderer Deluxe solid-arm chairs

It's a decent size tent but is more for 'permanent' or long term camping sites.
Bigger, takes a bit more effort to set up (although the main tent is a 'turbo' pop-up model, the fly still takes a bit of time to get established). Good to spend a couple of days or more in one spot.

I definitely see the value in the smaller pop-open tents for when you just don't want to sleep in your car tonight - and ultimately will be set up to go either way.

Will head down to Honeymoon pool or up to Moore River soon for the first little run.

So, whatcha got? Where ya goin?

[Bunyack]

[activeman]

My rig...

DSCF2248a.jpg

What gear have you got? Vstrom 650 with bellypan
What gear is awesome? Girlfriend, Icebreaker, Ferrino lighttent, Jetboil, Mont sleeping bags
What gear would you stay away from?
Found a favourite spot you'd like to share? 2WD or 4WD accessible. Lots of places in the free camping book, this is Grimwade near Donnybrook
Great 'lite' equipment Icebreaker
What tips and tricks have you learned along the way? Less is more. Double sock when camping / hiking. Condiments are worthwhile if well packed.

[BERT]

I have a Taj MaTent that is rarely used, It must be 5 years or more since I last used it.
I have a small 3 man cheapy that I bought to use at a bike rally, being cheap it was pretty much disposable. I've had it for 6 years now and it's only fault is a small hole in the floor from a tent peg
I like small gear as a lot of my campng has been with bike travel, but even in a car it stows better and allows more room for cartons of beer (esential camping equipment) Both of my sleeping bags are 0 degree rated and pack down to about 200 diameter x 300 long. quality sleeping gear is a must because waking up dead from hypothermia puts a downer on the trip.
I have a 40 litre engel and about the same size in waeco not fridge just a cooler thingy

I love camping, roughing it and easy option. My boy (6) has been on a few camping trips and is always keen to go again mostly because it involves riding mx bikes whenever he go's

I cant tell you where to go but I can recommend avoiding the Dwellingup camp sites at Easter....... never again will I camp at a popular "bush" site on a long weekend.

[Rhino]

I want to know more about fridge versus cooler/esky... someone today mentioned a gas powered Engel?

Something like that will likely be the next purchase.

[gunn parker]

I hike and camp along the Bib track mostly, so my gear is light and easily carried.

[Cam]

Not done a vast amount of camping, but keen to do more of it next year. Cheap way to get away from the city for a little and clear the head.

[Murley]

I'm keen to get right out into the wilderness on the next camping trip. None of this designated camping ground nonsense with shops a short drive away. If you've seen Tomorrow When the War Began (specifically, Hell) then you'll know what I mean. So, up north somewhere, middle of winter next year. That's the plan.

[speed3]

Used to go all the time with the old man and my brother but haven't been camping in years. Have a top of the line sleeping bag that packs down into 150mm round by 200mm long and is good for -20. Can borrow a nice 4 man or a very nice 2 man so don't own a tent. Keen to buy a swag to chuck in the back of the ute though. Don't have any other equipment anymore.

My ice box if I pre cool and pack properly will stay cold for a week. Also have my old mans 40 something year old engel lying around somewhere (probably at my brothers) that would be great to steal back.

Need to get a Gas lantern and stove, couple of quality chairs and I'm pretty much sweet.

[r0gue]

We go camping as often as we can. Just purchased a camper trailer a few months back, and have most of the gear we need to stay in the bush. Only thing I do not have is a fridge, but we have a great ice box that keeps ice for a week, so will probably just stick with that. Current project is installing a fixed kitchen to the camper, then it will be fitting solar panels for a bit of power when out in whoop whoop.

[Rhino]

Not done a vast amount of camping, but keen to do more of it next year. Cheap way to get away from the city for a little and clear the head.

That's what really appeals to me.

I'm either too disorganised or don't have/make time to take a decent holiday. So I always feel 'beaten' by work and not having time off.
The idea of 'fk it, get in the car, we're going away for a couple of days' excites me.

[speed3]

You need to get rid of the hair dressers car first

[Rhino]

we have a great ice box that keeps ice for a week...

Srs? Deets man!


^^^I knows. I'm working on it. But you can still get away without needing a fourby.

[Rich]

A swag...

Tent and bed in one...

[Gryphen]

Anyone tried Glen Mervin dam south of Collie towards Mumballup, two campsites, short term tents on east side longer stay on west side



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[Fozzy]

My Last trip

So me and the missus managed to get time off at the same time so we decided to go on abit of a trip.


This is roughly the route we took Ballajura WA to Ballajura WA - Google Maps There is a few little shortcuts and offshoots that we did that google maps dont recognise but thats the general route.


First of all we teamed up with Brad in his Navara and Headed from Perth to Esperance.



After an overnight stay at Craigs (CR place. We all geared up and met up with Brett and started to head towards Israelite Bay.



Then we boxed on and got to the start of the track to be met with this.




About 2m into the track



Which turned out to be a common theme




Several water crossings and about 180kms later we arrived at The old Telegraph station. They really knew how to build back in those days. Its still a very solid structure even without a roof. I must say I was very dissapointed with the rubbish and graffiti to the site.



Then It was camp for the night



Great spot to camp it was abit chilly but we kept warm with bit of Rekorderlig Warm Cider (for those that havent tried it. You Should) And a couple of Single Malts.


Next morning we did abit of exploring around the area and came across Cookes Cottage still standing and in great condition despite being over 100 years old.




We also found the old postmasters gravesite.



It was then time to head back towards Esperance. I had a few dramas on this trip with the ranger refusing to boost. I did abit of investigating and fount it to be water in the wastegate diaphragm but we sorted it out and kept moving with no further dramas for the rest of the trip.


On the way back we decided to head through Cape Le Grand and Wylie bay



Up the big rock



On the big rock



Down the big rock



So after Esperance it was time to head north.


First we popped into Kalgoorlie. I used to live there and my wife had never seen it so She wanted abit of a look.



Not alot to see there other than a big hole in the ground. We also did a couple of other small touristy things and topped up supplies.


I decided to put in a big day and drive till I was sick of it. Made it to about 100kms south of Newman. Covering about 1250kms for the day



Missus decided she needed to do yoga before starting out on the next days travels



So it was off to Newman, Arriving about 830 we booked ourself on the BHP Mine site tour.






It was about 1130 by the time we finished that so we did some driving around Newman and decided to hit the road again bound for Karijini National Park.






After our stop enjoying the gorges and the swimming holes. The plan was to head to Mount Augustus but there had been quite alot of rain in the area and it was pretty hard going according to a couple of other travellers. Decided to play it safe and head for the coast Via Tom Price and Mount Nameless






Mount Nameless was abit of fun to climb up and gives a great View of Tom Price which is probably abit of an oxy moron but again. If in the area you should take half an hour and do it..

[Fozzy]

So that Brings us to Exmouth. One of my favourite spots in WA. We Caravan parked it here as we were pretty keen on a hot shower.








Me sulking that I forgot my fishing rod








We did the drive across the Cape Range which was pretty slow going in places but the recent rains made it worth it for the wildflowers alone!







From Exmouth it was off to Denham (Shark Bay)


Quick Stop in Coral Bay





That brings us to Denham. Caravan Park again here as they are pretty hot on Camping in the area.





The colours here during sunset were sensational.





Stopped in at Monkey Mia to meet the resident dolphins







From here the plan was to Head to Murchison Offroad Adventures and then on to Wagoe. However I had abit of a problem with the cover on the roof top tent failing and with the rain around and the cover continually popping off. It made it hard to continue so we decided to head straight home.





We did stop at a few little scenic spots on the way though and im glad we did as we were lucking to meet this little clan





Over all it was a great trip with a little under 5500 kms travelled in 11 Days. I cant wait for my next trip and im glad to be doing it in a ranger. Aside from the little hiccup when she got abit wet she really was flawless and did everything I asked of it. Even when I put in the big day I didnt pull up sore or uncomfortable in anyway..

[Cam]

Awesome posts Fozzy.

[Rhino]

Oh that is fkg superb!

This is a MINT setup! I love it.
What is it?


I have all kinds of envy.

[Fozzy]

Its called a roof top tent. Basically folds out to be about a queen size bed inside.

Seen them mounted on all sorts of things the smallest being a toyota corolla!

I like it. Takes less than 5 mins to setup all bedding stays in it. And takes about 10mins to packup. Had it in strong winds and pissing rain and stayed nice and dry.

Only downside is if you want to stay somewhere for a few nights and are doing driving trips you need to pack it up..

But like everything there is always a compromise when living away from home.