FIRE NO.6
Australia’s Best Campsites WE PICK OUR TOP TEN (PLUS A FEW MORE)
àPLUS FINDING THAT PERFECT CAMPSITE GOING THE EXTRA MILE THE OUTDOOR CHEF – SURF AND TURF
outdoors SINCE 1958
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Australia. By size, we’re the sixth biggest country in the world. Whilst being regarded as the biggest island, we are also known as the smallest continent. We’re big, but we’re not that populated. In fact, there are 2.8 people per square kilometre in Australia. Compared to around 30 people per squared kilometre in the United States, 250 in the United Kingdom and a whopping 6,386 in Singapore. Australia really is a lucky country! All of that space at our disposal means there are some awesome camping spots dotted around our great country, dying to be enjoyed. Whether it’s the red interiors, the countless picture-perfect beaches, ancient rainforests or ambling countryside rivers, Australia has it all (and more). If you’re lucky, you’ll find one of these spots all to yourself and have an unforgettable experience in the Australian bush. A good camping spot is like a best kept secret sometimes, but we have let the cat out of the bag with our top ten campsite picks around Australia.Yours in camping,
The Ray’s Outdoors Crew
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Australia’s Top 10 Campsites (in no particular order) AUSTRALIA’S CAMPSITES RATE AS SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD, HERE ARE TEN REASONS WHY!
Visit
Fraser Island with “MR4X4” Pat Callinan.”
No. 1#1 FRASER ISLAND
No. 2#2 MYALL LAKES NATIONAL PARK
Named after shipwreck survivor Eliza Fraser, this 1840km2 island is the largest of its kind in the world, and a world-heritage listed national treasure. This idyllic beach island is separated from the mainland by the Great Sandy Straight, and supports a wonderfully diverse mix of flora and fauna. The island is accessible by boat, and offers endless stretches of beach and forest. The island is definitely best explored by your own 4X4, but there are many tours and packages that visit this magical place. » Follow this link for more information.
Seated amongst the beautiful Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Myall Lakes National Park offers an easily accessible and wonderfully diverse bushland with plenty of camping options. A thin ribbon of bush runs between 40 kilometres of beautiful beachline and a 5,800 hectare freshwater lake system. You’ll come across inquisitive dingoes and nosy goannas at these campsites, which are mostly well shaded and protected from prevailing winds. Choose to wile your days away at the beach, or take your canoe on the lakes for exploring. Grandis, New South Wales’ tallest tree (Eucalyptus Grandis) is located in the park as well, standing an impressive 85 metres high.
» Follow this link for more information.
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Australia’s Top 10 Campsites (in no particular order) AUSTRALIA’S CAMPSITES RATE AS SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD, HERE ARE TEN REASONS WHY!
#4 No. 4
No. 3#3 MUNGO NATIONAL PARK
Located in the south-eastern reaches of Outback New South Wales, this is a site that holds global importance of a huge scale. Mungo Man and Mungo Lady, evidence of a story 40,000 years in the making; was found within the ancient lake. The Walls of China are a fragile but visually impressive mark on this starkly stunning landscape, and is something very particular to the Australian story. » Follow this link for more information.
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CAMP WEIPA
5 No. #5
If you are heading north into Cape York country, then chances are you are stopping in at Weipa on your way up. This town is the largest on the peninsula, and sits on some stunning coastline. Not many places can say that they have a better position than Camp Weipa, the local caravan park. Backing onto a beautiful little beach that backs onto the Gulf of Carpentaria, it’s a terrific spot to watch the sun beat a slow, sonorous retreat past the horizon. Just watch out for the crocs. » Follow this link for more information.
TWIN FALLS, CAPE YORK
Whilst we’re talking about the Cape, there is another incredible spot worth mentioning. Twin Falls (and Eliot Falls, which is just nearby) is one of the most picturesque swimming holes that can be imagined. There is a popular campsite just nearby with close access to these amazing swimming holes, and has regular patronage by those making the pilgrimage to the northernmost point of Australia. » Follow this link for more information.
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6 No.#6
THE GREAT VICTORIA DESERT
For this destination, seclusion is king. When you are surrounded by 350,000 square kilometres of desert, you really can’t get further away from it all. You’ll need a well-prepared 4X4 to successfully penetrate this hostile area (and then get out again), but the seclusion that you achieve out here is truly wonderful. The area is best accessed along the Anne Beadell Highway, and campspots are plentiful amongst the rolling sand dunes, gibber plains and patches of mulga. The best part is you are pretty much assured you’ll have entire hectares to yourself. » Follow this link for more information.
7 No. #7
BAY OF FIRES
A conservation area on the eastern side of Tasmania is host to some of the prettiest coastlines that Australia has to offer. Camping areas are available between The Gardens and Binalong Bay, at the southern part of the bay. The colours here are amazing, white sands, clear blue waters and copper-coloured granite (produced by a lichen on the rock) combine for a truly beautiful result. » Follow this link for more information.
8 No. #8
KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK
Another geological wonderland, Karijini National Park has some stunning formations that can be explored on foot. The area is accessible by 2WD, but a 4WD would be more comfortable. Check out Dales Gorge, Joffre Gorge, and if you are adventurous, have a look at the incredible handrail pool. This is a truly ancient land that has been carved out by water over millions of years, putting a lot of life into stark perspective. If you’re thinking about visiting the Pilbara, this area is a must-see. » Follow this link for more information.
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Australia’s Top 10 Campsites (in no particular order) AUSTRALIA’S CAMPSITES RATE AS SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD, HERE ARE TEN REASONS WHY!
No. 9#9
NEWNES, BLUE MOUNTAINS
Situated in the Wolgan Valley north of Lithgow, around three hours’ drive from Sydney, Newnes is the site of an old shale mining operation that is now used as a popular camping ground. You are surrounded on all sides by towering cliffs and the destitute remains of the failed mining operations and community that it supported. The Wolgan River is stunning, and the nearby glow worm tunnel (where trains once ran through) is a treat, especially for the kids. » Follow this link for more information.
0 No. 1#10
D’ENTRECASTEAUX NATIONAL PARK
Located in the South Western part of Western Australia, this is a magnificent National Park that occupies some stunning beachland, ripe for exploration. The park, along with the point, is named after French admiral Bruni D’entrecasteaux as he was searching for Laperouse’s ill-fated expedition that vanished from the face of the earth. The area was also used for grazing up until the 1980’s by local farmers, many of their tracks are still in use today, and the odd hut can still be spotted around the area. » Follow this link for more information.
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Buley Rockhole
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Australia’s best
Campsites
PICKING ONLY TEN CAMPSITES IS TOUGH, SO WE’VE THROWN TOGETHER A FEW EXTRAS THAT WE COULDN’T LEAVE OUT:
BOODEREE NATIONAL PARK, NSW
BULEY ROCKHOLE, NT
Bordered by the turquoise waters of Jervis Bay, Booderee has some of the whitest sand in the world along the selection of beaches. It’s incredibly popular, so book early.
Located in the well known Litchfield National Park, this is a perfect spot to cool off and escape the heat that the Top End is so well-known for. The Park is 100 kilometres south-west of Darwin, and accessible by 2WD.
CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK, WA Around 50 kilometres east of Esperance is Cape Le Grand, a 78,500 acre National Park along the Great Australian Bight. Camp at Le Grand beach, check out Lucky Bay and explore other parts of this huge park.
BIG RED, QLD The biggest sandune of the Simpson Desert, Big Red is an iconic spot for Outback lovers, and a great spot to set up camp. It’s approximately 35 kilometers west of Birdsville.
onal Park
Byfield Nati
EL QUESTRO, WA Part of a working cattle station in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The Kimberley is renowned for its undisturbed and stunning wilderness, and El Questro makes up over one million acres of it.
BYFIELD NATIONAL PARK, QLD One hour north of Rockhampton is another stunning National Park, made up of long secluded beaches and undisturbed sand dunes. Check out Five Rocks from Stockyard Point, and the amazing Orange Bowl behind the foredunes on Nine Mile Beach
El Questro
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Finding that perfect Campsite 2. HIT THE BOOKS:
W
hen you are searching for that perfect campsite for your getaway, there is a myriad of resources that you can consult to ensure you are literally on the right track. Here’s a list of sources that we like to use when researching our next adventure. 1: WORD OF MOUTH Got mates that love camping? Give them a call, because first-hand information about cracking campsites is the best kind. If they don’t know anything, they might have heard a hot tip from somewhere else, so it’s definitely worth the try. If camp-crazy friends are a bit thin on the ground, jump on the computer. Punch some keywords into Google and see what comes up, focusing on discussion forums as a good resource. Hiking, 4X4ing, adventure riding and countless other hobbies have thriving, dedicated forums full of great information, and can be invaluable for research.
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There is plenty of literature out there that deals with camping destinations, and are full of great research and information. Books like ‘Camps Australia Wide’ are winners, along with many guides from respected publishers like Hema, Boiling Billy and Gregorys. If books aren’t your thing, pick up a DVD. Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures is a great example, along with plenty of fishing DVDs that touch on destinations for campers. Another avenue is apps, there is a mountain of free and paid resources with varying quality available for both iOS and Android devices. Look at Wikicamps, Camps Australia and Camgrounds to start with on the App Store.
3. NATIONAL PARKS Every state has a National Parks Authority, and they are custodians to many of the best campsites around Australia. It makes sense to start your research there; the websites are well organised and full of information regarding potential camping destinations.
New South Wales: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Queensland: www.nprsr.qld.gov.au Victoria: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Northern Territory: www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/ South Australia: www.parks.sa.gov.au Western Australia: www.dec.wa.gov.au Australia Capital Territory: www.environment.nsw.gov.au Tasmania: www.parks.tas.gov.au
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Su Sur The Outdoor Gourmet SURF AND TURF.
T
here’s hardly a dish more Australian than the surf and turf, and not many places can claim to do one as well as Australia. We are the home of some of the best quality steak and seafood that the world has to offer, after all! This is an impressive dish that can be knocked up at the campground with little excitement (until you serve it up, of course). Here is a recipe that you can easily follow for a sumptuous dinner that will wow everybody.
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Ingredients: • F our medium-sized steaks (scotch fillet works well, but don’t be afraid of using T-bone or rump for example)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 8 00grams of fresh prawns, peeled and de-veined. (Banana prawns are a good option, but get whatever is the freshest and best quality. Keep the tails on them for presentation.)
• Juice of ½ a lemon
• Salt and pepper • Garlic (minced or fresh)
rf and Tu 1 Step No.
Step No. 4
Step No. 2
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Step No. 3
Step No. 6
Method:
Before cooking a steak, it’s always a good idea to allow it to reach room temperature before cooking starts; this makes for a much better end product. With your steaks out of the fridge or esky, get your prawns ready for marinating. Put them all in a zip-lock bag, and add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper, and combine thoroughly. A trick that I like is to force as much air out of the bag before closing it, giving your marinade more impact on the flavour of the prawns. The longer you can leave the prawns, the better. Aim for at least 30 minutes of marinating. When the steaks are ready to go, get the barbie fired up, giving it at least ten or fifteen minutes to get right up to temperature. Oil the steak slightly, and add a little bit of salt to each side before going onto the barbecue. Cook the steaks over a high heat, allowing the steak’s exterior to colour up and caramelise nicely. When the steaks are halfway cooked, you can start on the prawns. A griddle or skillet is ideal for cooking the prawns (you add some marinade when cooking), but the grill plate will do nicely. Cook the prawns over the same heat until just cooked through, and take off the heat. When the steaks are cooked to your liking, take them from the heat as well.
As much as you would like to, you can’t hook in just yet. Leave your steaks and prawns to rest in aluminium foil, and then get cracking on a simple salad. Resting is incredibly important; doing so will leave you with a much juicier and flavoursome end product. Distribute the prawns amongst the steaks and plate up with a bit of salad.
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Going Above and Beyond GO PREPARED. Planning ahead goes a long way. A lot of the popular camping spots book out months (some, even years) in advance. In these situations, it pays to do your homework and know what you can land, and what is off the table. Knowing where you are going, what’s available and having a few backup plans before you leave means you spend less time sweating about decisions, and more time relaxing.
M
y grandfather’s favourite saying was “It’s that extra little bit that makes champions”. It’s true, and relates to so many things in life. One of those things is finding a campground. Making a bit of extra effort can really go a long way when finding a campsite, taking you from average to awesome. Here are some tips on getting the best site ever:
GO FURTHER. The curse of city life is that everyone lives on top of each other. When we are all looking to escape during weekends, those areas close to the urban fringe fill up the quickest. If you can plan to go further afield, you can open up your options to more sites, with less and less competition for the best spots. Leaving earlier and spending a bit of
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extra time getting there will soon be worth it when you find the magic spot, and have it all to yourself.
DO YOUR RESEARCH. Knowledge is everything, and it starts at home. Google has an answer for almost everything, and its great for researching good camp spots. Trawling through forums and discussion boards are a great resource of mine, getting some first-hand information from other camping enthusiasts. Treat all of this kind of information with a good pinch of salt, and cross-reference where possible. There is also plenty of authoritative information available in books like Camps Australia Wide and many atlases that can prove to be invaluable whilst on the road. If you take some good maps as well, you are well covered for information and research.
GO DIFFERENTLY The most popular and frequented campsites are often easily accessible. The harder they are to get to, the crowds drop off pretty quickly. To turn the odds into your favour, try something different when looking for a camping spot. There are some absolutely stunning walk-in sites tucked away all around Australia that are quickly forgotten because of the access. More spoils for the brave I say, and the adventure adds to the excitement. If you have a 4X4, try some 4X4 only accessible spots to lessen the competition. Some other areas (Like Myall Lakes National Park) have some campsites that are accessible only by boat, and are in beautifully secluded spots. Have you got access to a tinny, or maybe a canoe? What’s stopping you?
There are some
absolutely stunning walk-in sites
tucked away all around Australia that are quickly forgotten because of the access.
Camping Combinations EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS THAT A CAMPSITE CANNOT GO WITHOUT:
1: LIGHT
E
veryone’s campsite is a little bit different, tested and changed to suit our own needs and preferences. What some people think is important won’t even register with others, but there are some essentials that every campsite has
Technology has come a long way since Thomas Edison’s day, especially the advent of the light emitting diode. This new technology really packs in the best of all worlds. It’s light (excuse the pun), its bright and compact, and uses a tiny amount of power. Headtorches: Perfect for freeing up you hands in the dark. Whether its collecting firewood, preparing a late dinner, or just making sure you don’t trip over a sneaky log hiding in the dark. The headtorch is truly indispensable. Lanterns: These are great at giving off a soft, ambient light to fill a space. Using it in a tent, under a shelter, or putting it down on the table works really well. It’s not too intrusive, but still lets you see what you are doing. Worklights: Available with the traditional fluorescent globe or LED, these are handy lights that can be powered by a cigarette plug or batteries, and can be hung anywhere handy to provide light. It’s definitely worth keeping one of these in the glovebox.
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Led strip lights: These are great if you are into customising your camping space. These strips are supremely versatile, and can allow you to mount lights in the perfect spot for subtle lighting that is always available. They come in a variety of lengths and strengths, so you can find something perfect for your needs.
2: COMFORT This one really speaks for itself. If you aren’t comfortable, then chances are you aren’t enjoying yourself. Taking care of this before you head off (with some great products) means you can adjust all that you need to stay comfortable whilst staying outdoors. Shelter: This is a real obvious one, with a few options. The tent is a tried and trusted option for campers all over Australia, providing a living and sleeping space that can pack down to a small size and fit in most cars. There are so many options available; your best idea is to pop into your local Ray’s Outdoors to check them out in person. If you just need a roof, then you can look at options like gazebos, shelters and tarpaulins to get what you need.
Chairs: Like tents, these come in all shapes and sizes to suit different needs. The humble director’s chair has come a long way these days, and many options boast supreme comfort whilst being able to pack down to a great size. You can choose from chairs, lounges and small stools, all of them different from one another. How do you choose? Get instore and try them out for yourself. They say you don’t choose your perfect camp chair, it chooses you. Keeping Cool: Whether you call them eskies, iceboxes or coolers, that insulated box we take on our camping trips is a perennial companion. If you are travelling by 4X4, you have the option of taking a 12V fridge with you, but the humble cooler is still a mainstay for many. 12V fridges come in sizes from 15 litres (perfect for keeping drinks cold whilst driving) up to a whopping 80 litres (enough space to
keep you on the road indefinitely). Whatever you choose, make sure you buy a quality option that will give you painless service for many years to come. Sleeping: A good night’s sleep goes a long way, and there are many options available to ensure this whilst you are away from home. Air mattresses provide maximum comfort, and self-inflating mattresses are a great option if space is at a premium. If you are looking to get off the ground, then a stretcher is what you are looking for. But for the most quintessential and painless sleeping setup, it’s really hard to go past a swag! When teamed up with a good quality sleeping bag or blanket, you are assured of a great night’s sleep.
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Camping Combinations EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS THAT A CAMPSITE CANNOT GO WITHOUT:
3: SAFETY
FIRST AID KIT
If you are looking to escape the trappings of civilisation, you should always think of what you can do to keep the trip as safe as possible. Packing a few essentials is very important; but the more remote you go, the more self-sufficient you have to be. We always recommend a first aid course, so you know what to do if trouble comes.
These are an essential item to take on a camping trip. You never know when danger may strike, and it will often be when you least expect it. Taking a first aid kit will at least allow you to respond to an event with the correct tools at hand. Don’t know your bandages from your burnaid? Then book yourself in for a course.
REMOTE STUFF Our last issue covered the issue of survival, showing some ideas and tips about what you can do if you are planning some remote travel. Our best, most important recommendation (along with a first aid kit) is an EPIRB if you are travelling on water or a PLB if you are travelling over land. Satellite phones are another option for remote communications.
Ray’s Outdoors inspires and enables everyday Australians to make the most of the outdoors. Whatever the activity, Ray’s has everything you need to make the outdoors yours.
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