Ray’s Outdoors Campfire Magazine, Issue 8, 2014

FIRE NO.8

àPLUS TIPS AND TRICKS FOR STAYING AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE GLAMPING: WHERE TO GO FOR PURE OUTDOOR LUXURY INDULGENCE: SOME OF THE BEST VIEWS IN AUSTRALIA, OUTDOORS OUTDOOR GEAR: THE BEST BITS FOR PURE CAMPING INDULGENCE

The

Indulgence Edition THE ULTIMATE IN COMFORT, FOR THE ULTIMATE IN ENJOYMENT.

outdoors SINCE 1958

The Campfire

Chat…

Nobody actually hates the outdoors. Some people just don’t like to sacrifice their creature comforts to venture out into those quiet, beautiful parts of Australia. After all, going a few days eating tinned food and sweating it out without running water isn’t everyone’s idea of a great weekend.

It doesn’t have to be like that, modern technology and innovations these days means we can really have our cake, and eat it too. What’s more, getting that sort of comfort isn’t as expensive as you might think. Most of it just boils down to good oldfashioned planning and preparation, along with a few smart purchases and ideas.

Camping with comfort isn’t hard, and it doesn’t take much more to make it truly indulgent. We’ve put together this issue of Campfire to let you in on some of our secrets when it comes to getting the absolute best out of your campsite.

Yours in camping, The Ray’s Outdoors Crew

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Camp Like A Champ: 6 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR STAYING AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE

MR4X4 Pat Callinan gives his tips on getting a comfortable sleep in the bush.

A comfortable camp is an enjoyable camp: This doesn’t always involve spending your hard-earned on all of the gear however, a lot of it just boils down to how well you have planned and prepared your camp. Here are our top 6 tip to keep the comfort levels at record highs.

PACKING CORRECTLY – LAYERS Before you start wildy throwing everything you can think of into the car, sit down, have a cuppa, and think it through. I find it’s a good idea to go through all of the gear I plan to take on my trip, and then really ask myself whether I need to take it or not. Then, try to pack in layers.

What we mean by layers, is when packing make the most frequently used and needed items easily accessible and other, less important things buried away at the back. Then, you don’t have to dig to China for the cutlery that you need three times a day. It’s a good idea to keep emergency equipment like communications and your first aid kit close at hand and easily accessible, no matter when.

CLOTHING LAYERS Speaking of layers, it’s a good idea to keep that idea rolling with your clothing. Having a few different layers at hand (especially during the Winter months) will allow you to modulate things according to the temperature, ensuring you stay as comfortable as possible. Base layers like singlets (or thermals, when it’s really cold) work great as a start, combining shirts with jumpers and jackets can see you ready for whatever Mother Nature wants to throw at you.

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Continued

Camp Like A Champ: 6 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR STAYING AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE SHELTER

SLEEPING EASY

When you are planning on spending some time in the bush, you should always take some kind of shelter.

It will keep the sun from burning you to a crisp, and somewhere to escape to in the event of rain. The humble tarpaulin, along with some pegs, poles and guy ropes can do an admirable job, and setting up is a knack that is easily learned. If you own a 4X4, a vehicle-mounted awning is hard to beat in terms of ease and convenience. Many tents come with large annexes and living spaces as well, which can be a good spot to escape wind, rain and sun.

Different sleeping arrangements suit different scenarios, so it pays to have a good think and planning session about how you’re planning on getting your bush beauty sleep. One of the biggest enemies to a good night’s sleep is rocky or uneven ground.

Stretchers are great for getting you off the ground, but thick self-inflating mattresses and swags can do a good job of smoothing out the ground.

If you do have to deal with slight unevenness, try to keep your head higher than your feet, it will save the blood uncomfortably pooling and causing thumping. If you are looking for the ultimate in comfort, look at a camper trailer or a rooftop tent.

Think about what temperatures you’ll be facing and pack your bedding accordingly.

Temperature ratings on sleeping bags are a good place to start, and remember that overnight temperatures can really plummet in some places.

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afterall. To ensure that they don’t overstay their welcome with you, a can of DEET-laden spray is an essential to have. Insects are quite popular in some of our favourite campsites, and darkness usually brings out the worst of them (especially if you have lights that attract them).

VENTILATION This point is more important when things warm up. There’s nothing worse than sweating it out without reprieve during the summer months in a sticky and humid tent or swag, but things can be done about it. One of the best things is taking advantage of any ventilation that is available; allowing hot, stagnant air to escape, and hopefully be replaced with cooler, fresh air from outside. Small, batterypowered fans can go a long way towards circulation, especially if your tent has some weather-proof vents built into it.

BUGS When you’re heading outdoors, you can always expect to be greeted and welcomed by the resident insects of the area; we are visiting their home

Sit back - Relax Wild Country Matador Camp Chair I 326004 - $79.99 If you love comfort, convenience and a great price, the Wild Country Matador Camp chair is perfect for kicking back at the campsite. With an insulated drink holder, 150kg weight capacity and a magazine storage pocket you can relax and indulge while the sun goes down.

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Glamping WHERE TO GO FOR PURE OUTDOOR LUXURY.

IKARA SAFARI CAMP – WILPENA POUND

PAPERBARK CAMP Located on the New South Wales South Coast at spectacular Jervis Bay, Paperbark Camp has 100 acres to explore with some beautiful river frontage. Irena & Jeremy Hutchings took a leaf out of the African’s books before ‘Glamping’ was a common term, setting up luxury tents and accommodation amongst the bush.

A natural amphitheatre of mountains in remote South Australia, Wilpena Pound is one of the most beautiful parts of the Flinders Ranges. Ikara Safari Camp makes the most of this surroundings with open-style accommodation with all of the luxury you can imaging, mixed with canvas. www.ikarasafaricamp.com.au

www.paperbarkcamp.com.au HOME VALLEY STATION

LONGITUDE 131° - ULURU-KATA TJUDA If you are looking to experience Central Australia whilst enjoying the laps of luxury, Longitude 131° is where you want to be. Whilst calling this accommodation a ‘tent’ might be a bit of a stretch, the no-holds-barred accommodation still comes second to the view: spectacular Uluru. www.longitude131.com.au

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Often referred to as Australia’s final frontier, The Kimberley is the northernmost part of Western Australia. There are still giant swathes of wilderness through this part of the world, full of stark red beauty and rock formations. Home Valley Station has Grass Castles, located next to Bindoola Creek and has the incredible Cockburn Ranges and Pentecost River as a backdrop. www.hvstation.com.au

SAL SALIS Near Exmouth, WA is the beautiful Ningaloo Reef. This area home to some of Australia’s most beautiful coastlines and active wildlife (in and out of the water). For accommodation that is part of its surroundings, you cannot go past Sal Salis. Luxury, rustic-styled tents are available, with the best locations along the reef. www.salsalis.com.au

Cook up some food envy Weber Baby Q100 I 279930 - $289.00 Indulgence doesn’t get any better than a Weber BBQ! Get the Weber Baby Q started at the campsite and cook a roast that will melt in your mouth. Thanks to their quality, reliability and portability, Weber has become the ultimate indulgence item for your home away from home.

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Indulgence: SOME OF THE BEST VIEWS IN AUSTRALIA.

MITCHELL FALLS – WESTERN AUSTRALIA. What’s better than a view with one waterfall? I’ll let you guess!

This incredible rock formation sits in the wilderness of the Mitchell Plateau in remote Western Australia. It’s more than worth the effort to visit, stunning waterfalls cascade into one another, after millions of years of eroding against the iron-rich red red that surrounds you.

THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VICTORIA Although some have collapsed, the Twelve Apostles along this amazing stretch of road is still absolutely breathtaking. It’s part of the Port Campbell National Park, these formations are from the limestone being slowly worn away by the unrelenting tide. Although they will all collapse at some stage, they will probably be replaced by new formations as the erosion continues.

THE HIGH COUNTRY, VICTORIA It’s part of the area known as the ‘Australian Alps’, and for good reason: It’s the only part of this flat, wide country that has mountain peaks over 2,000 metres. Dramatic mountains like that means amazing views, ones that you thought might not have existed in Australia. This country is an important part of

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the Australian identity and history as well, with the cattlemen that rode this wild and woolly country became immortalised through song, story and poem.

KATA TJUDA, NORTHERN TERRITORY In central Tjuta, lies the heart of Australia. While Uluru is so popular (and rightly so), it is easy to forget about the equally impressive Kata Tjuta. Walk through the Valley of the Winds, or just take in its breathtaking beauty as the sun goes down. There is something deeply sprirtual about visiting this area, coveted so much by the Aboriginal people through story and legend.

Stunning waterfalls cascade into one another, after millions of years of eroding against the ironrich red that surrounds you.

BAY OF FIRES, TASMANIA Running from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point along Eastern Tasmania, the Bay of Fires has to have some of the most gorgeous coastline in the world. White sands, turquoise waters and red rocks (which is actually from a lichen) create an amazing colour palette

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Camp in comfort and style Coleman hot water on demand I 214552 - $399.00 The Coleman Hot Water on Demand system lets you experience hot water anywhere-anytime in seconds.

Use it to wash up your dishes, to have a shower or to make a relaxing cup of coffee. Make your camping experience more enjoyable with this fully portable and self contained unit.

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Outdoor Gear WHAT TO TAKE WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INDULGENCE. out. Fleece is a proven performer in chilly conditions, as well as down .

Look for clothing that has adjustable openings (to keep the warmth in), and high, closeable collars (or hoods) for the ultimate in warmth.

Don’t forget the humble beanie, either, these pack serious punch in terms of performance, and are small and cheap.

SLEEPING BAGS Sleeping bags aren’t all the same, and they all suit different situations. There is one definite rule of thumb though; buy something decent from the get go and it will give you years of service.

The most important thing to check is the temperature rating; this will tell you what sort of conditions it will suit. You can also look at Egyptian mummy-style hooded sleeping bags, or ones that can be zipped into doubles or blankets. If you will be carrying your sleeping bag around, keep an eye on weight; there are some great options out there that have a good weight/insulation ratio.

CLOTHING Normal clothing might not cut it in the more demanding conditions of outdoor use, especially when temperatures start to creep up (or down) to the seasonal extremes.

Clothing made for use in the outdoors do have some pretty cool features that can keep you feeling as comfortable as possible if things start feeling a little arduous. Look for features like breathability, moisturewicking, hypo-allergenic, or even anti-mosquito properties.

If things are looking to get chilly, look for your insulating layers, especially thermals. Moisture-wicking and breathability is still important here, as things can get clammy and uncomfortable if you start sweating

HOT WATER The campfire is great for heating up your water for washing, cooking or cleaning. But for that little bit more indulgence, you can opt for an instant hot water system. They use either electricity or a small gas cartridge to heat water instantly as it passes through the system, effectively giving you hot water on demand!

COFFEE Many of us couldn’t operate without a good dose in the morning, and just because you can’t visit a café nearby doesn’t mean you are spoilt for options.

Percolators, propane-powered dripsystems, plunger, moka and even espresso systems can be found that suit outdoor usage. Team it up with some good-quality, fresh beans, and your yearnings for a suburban coffee will be a distant memory!

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Outdoor Gear WHAT TO TAKE WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INDULGENCE.

MR4X4 Pat Callinan shows us options for cooking up a storm, without a campfire in sight

COOKING For the ultimate in campsite indulgence, you can’t go past a delicious meal. Nine times out of ten, it’s hard to beat the good ol’ fashioned camp oven, which can be the base for many memorable meals. There are plenty of other options out there though, especially if a campfire is out of the question. Look at portable barbecues like the Weber BabyQ, the Cobb Premier and many others.

REFRIGERATION This would have to be our favourite: the 12V fridge. You’ll need to organise some extra 12V power for your car, but having one of these means absolute bliss in the bush. It doesn’t matter what’s happening, you are always assured of a cold drink at the end of the day. It also means you have much more flexibility in terms of perishables on the road, as well.

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INDULGENT DINNER: PORK BELLY INGREDIENTS: » 1.5kg pork belly » 3 brown onions, thickly sliced » 3 apples, thickly sliced » 1 head of garlic, peeled and sliced. » ¼ cup orange juice » Olive Oil INSTRUCTIONS: Score the skin of the pork with a sharp knife to the full depth of the fat. Do this in a diagonal pattern, with the diamonds no larger than an inch each.

Pat the pork skin VERY well to ensure it is completely dry – set aside.

Sprinkle plenty of salt and olive oil over the entire piece of pork, rubbing well into all crevices, especially between the skin cuts. Set aside.

Next, place the onions and apples onto big piece (bigger than the pork) of aluminium foil. Season, and add the orange juice and garlic. Rub the olive oil (with a good dose of salt) into the pork.

Place the pork on top of the foil, skin side up. What you want to do is wrap the pork up so the meat is sealed in, but the skin is exposed. This will keep the meat moist, but allow the crackling to develop.

Place in the camp oven, and cook over a low heat for three to four hours. If the crackling needs a little bit more to finish it off, add lots of coals to the top of the camp oven for the final 20 or so minutes.

Don’t forget to leave the meat to rest before serving. It goes well with mash, some simple greens and salad.

Ray’s Outdoors offers families everything they need to enjoy the outdoors from the backyard to the bush. Ray’s Outdoors has a huge range of camping gear including tents (dome tents, pop-ups/instant and more!), swags, sleeping bags - every piece of camping equipment you’ll need.