Camping ...

Camping ...

After a childhood spent holidaying in a caravan on Tathra Beach each and every Christmas, my wife Sue has declared she's no longer a 'happy camper' ! Not unless the tent is the type that includes an ensuite complete with spa bath, underfloor heating etc. etc.

This has now become known as 'glamping', however, the closest I've been able to get Sue to revisit the experience was an overnight stay at Paperbark, near Jervis Bay. I thought the stay was a novel and luxurious way to spend a night immersed in the Australian bushland but Sue was less enthusiastic ! Luckily, the onsite Gunya Restaurant was able to satisfy Sue's appetite for fine cuisine, as the dinner that was served was right up there with the best we've found on the Coast.

However, for many families the idea of caravanning is a way to simply enjoy family in a unique way, playing games, fishing, canoeing and kayaking as a group. The social aspect of a dry site or caravan park is something that many people look forward to year after year. In fact, Sue and I did have a very pleasureable experience with a motorhome [borrowed from 'Nan & Pop' [my inlaws] the Easter before last. En-route to a family re-union at Wangaratta, we stayed at the rather quaintly named Garden of Eden Caravan Park [yes. just North of Eden, NSW]. The maintenance standard and cleanliness of the park facilities was exceptional !  The heated floor and piped music in the amenties block, had Sue marvelling at how far these facilities had progressed in the mere 'twinkling of an eye' since her youth. Unfortunately, as the Easter holidays began and we crossed the border into Victoria, the crowds grew at the next 2 places we stayed and the idyllic surroundings that we'd enjoyed in Eden weren't matched again for the rest of our trip.

There are a multitude of options available ranging from setting up a 'dry' or free campsite in the many roadside rest areas. Many of these have been equipped with toilet facilities by the local authorities and allow free caravan and free RV parking overnight. For couples and groups who travel by motorcycle, with or without motorcycle trailers, these rest stops may also be an attractive option.

If you're into really testing your survival skills, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of State forest and National Park lands on the South Coast for you to explore. If you're into extreme adventure, we suggest you check your first aid kit before you leave and especially make sure you invest in an EPIRB.

If you're looking for places to camp in NSW, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage provides a State wide directory, where you can select the facilities you require and specify your [4wd/2wd etc.] access capabilities, to help choose a suitable location. They also offer map based directories for the:

• Upper South Coast
• Far South Coast

Wildwalks.com offer comprehensive and free information with their full list of sites by region of NSW.

Click here for reservations where you can select from a range of camping accommodation options operated by the Department

As well as updating your first aid kit, you might find our checklist useful

This list was complied with the help of our very well organised camping Mum, Bev who also recommends this supply list, to feed her 3 hungry sons.

Nan hasalways maintained that one of the biggest advantages of caravanning or rv'ing is that she can pre-purchase and store many of the required supplies. Not only can this be cheaper, but it allows them the flexibility to stop for wherever they please and whenever the whim takes them.

There are many stores who offer discount equipment and discount supplies in most of the towns along the South Coast.