Hi everyone, this is my very first post on these forums, so I hope I've picked the appropriate place to do so.
I've been looking around for a place in Queensland to camp for an extended period of time. I'm about to sit a solo two year meditation retreat, and ideally I'd like to find somewhere for this retreat that meets two primary criteria: 1. Somewhere that has access to water. and 2. Somewhere that I am unlikely to be disturbed much.
I would be extremely quiet, well behaved and self sustained. Basically all I will be doing is sitting still, meditating for 16 hours per day.
Preferably within three or so hours drive from Brisbane, but I understand that this might not be possible
I have a few thousand dollars to spend on a location for this retreat, but given the length of time I'd be staying, I couldn't afford more than about $5 a night for this period.
Does anybody know of a place that might accommodate?
Thanks in advance!
Cuppa said
07:03 PM Oct 12, 2020
Go bush. There are many places in outback Queensland to do something like this if you are suitably equipped.
travelyounger said
07:28 PM Oct 12, 2020
secondorder wrote:
Hi everyone, this is my very first post on these forums, so I hope I've picked the appropriate place to do so.
I've been looking around for a place in Queensland to camp for an extended period of time. I'm about to sit a solo two year meditation retreat, and ideally I'd like to find somewhere for this retreat that meets two primary criteria: 1. Somewhere that has access to water. and 2. Somewhere that I am unlikely to be disturbed much.
I would be extremely quiet, well behaved and self sustained. Basically all I will be doing is sitting still, meditating for 16 hours per day.
Preferably within three or so hours drive from Brisbane, but I understand that this might not be possible
I have a few thousand dollars to spend on a location for this retreat, but given the length of time I'd be staying, I couldn't afford more than about $5 a night for this period.
Does anybody know of a place that might accommodate?
Thanks in advance!
There are plenty of places to stay if you don't mind moving around that won't cost but then you have to think about the fuel you would use doing it maybe look for a housesit or farm help in exchange for accommodation.
Cheers
Mike Harding said
08:06 AM Oct 13, 2020
I cannot recommend a location in Qld I'm afraid although I know plenty in Vic. However I do suggest that if you really plan to meditate for 16 hours per day every day for two years I strongly suspect your mental and physical health will be in very poor condition after some time. May I suggest you discuss this with your GP beforehand?
Magnarc said
09:15 AM Oct 13, 2020
Mike wrote,
"However I do suggest that if you really plan to meditate for 16 hours per day every day for two years I strongly suspect your mental and physical health will be in very poor condition after some time. May I suggest you discuss this with your GP beforehand?"
I'm with you Mike, apologies to the poster if I am wrong but is this a furphy??? Two years of sitting still for 16 hours then going to bed for another 8 would cause massive muscle deterioration and I doubt that anyone would be able to stand let alone walk?
-- Edited by Magnarc on Tuesday 13th of October 2020 09:20:45 AM
Whenarewethere said
10:48 AM Oct 13, 2020
Other half has done a 10 day meditation course, it's hard work. I also know at least 3 more who have done it & said the same thing.
There is a nice place west of Mt Isa, & if you go to the far end of the camping area you would have peace & quite for most of the time. There is a public toilet there as well, a bit of a walk but would save a lot of effort.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Tuesday 13th of October 2020 10:50:44 AM
Mike Harding: My mental health definitely won't be in poor condition. Research about positive neurological benefits of meditation has been piling up over the last couple of decades. As for physical health, yes to some degree, sitting still increases the risk of conditions like Deep Vein Thrombosis and will definitely result in a fair bit of muscle deterioration. I'm going to do a very brief workout and stretch each day to prevent as much of this as possible.
Magnarc: No I'm not joking, this has been a serious plan of mine for some time now. Buddhist monks in Tibet and Nepal have been practising extended meditation retreats of 5 years+ for centuries.
I appreciate your concern for my health, and I understand that it might seem like a bit of a strange thing to do for someone that hasn't spent much time meditating, but I've been researching about this kind of thing for a while now and I'm quite confident that I'll be able to complete it in a healthy and safe way.
Whenarewethere: Looks great, thanks for the recommendation. It's a bit further from Brisbane than I was planning, but it's definitely something I'll keep in mind!
JayDee said
02:29 PM Oct 13, 2020
Guru,
Is the camp spot you have posted Clem Walton Park which is about half way between Mt. Isa & Cloncurry??
If so then mate it is to the west of Cloncurry or East of Mt. Isa.
If not the Clem Walton Park, then it would have been great if you had of mentioned the name of the camp site.
Better to have an overload of info then not enough.
Jay&Dee
DMaxer said
03:34 PM Oct 13, 2020
I don't know about that Mike.
I have had work contracts where some of the employees have practised this for eight hours a day, five days a week for many years yet still seem to regain consciousness at knock off time without any noticeable loss of mental or physical faculties.
Go down to your local council and have a look.
Whenarewethere said
03:47 PM Oct 13, 2020
JayDee wrote:
Guru,
Is the camp spot you have posted Clem Walton Park which is about half way between Mt. Isa & Cloncurry??
If so then mate it is to the west of Cloncurry or East of Mt. Isa.
If not the Clem Walton Park, then it would have been great if you had of mentioned the name of the camp site.
Better to have an overload of info then not enough.
Jay&Dee
Got my east & west mixed up & I didn't know the name.
Being in a car only we can explore & can stop anywhere which looks nice, including brilliant long time disused gravel pits which have overgrown, they are some of the best spots.
Mike Harding said
04:41 PM Oct 13, 2020
Talk to your GP, what harm can it do?
Warren-Pat_01 said
06:02 PM Oct 13, 2020
secondorder, there are immense numbers of places that could satisfy your needs. But most of "our" favourites are much more than three hours from Brisbane.
Is staying in National Parks too expensive for you? But most except in the Stanthorpe area, require you to be self sufficient in everything - including water! Have a look in the Crows Nest area.
You will find most places will have more to see both day & night, than to just sitting in a quiet spot following your interest. Nature in all its glory is there to be seen, you just have to look & accept the way that the beings we follow, worship, show it.
It appears in the form of birds, butterflies, plants, trees, insects, the celestial objects in the sky, etc.
Best of luck. Have a look in the Solo Travellers segment too.
bgt said
07:47 PM Oct 13, 2020
I'm also worried about physical health issues. I've had DVT. I've also had PEs from the DVTs. It's not funny and can kill you. I was given a 40% chance of surviving the first night in hospital. Long term issues are a real risk. Mental health is of no use if you are dead. Take your physical health very seriously. After my PEs life changed completely for me. And not for the better.
Magnarc said
08:08 AM Oct 14, 2020
Secondorder, Good luck. You have set yourself quite a goal and I hope that you can achieve it without any serious problems.
One thing more, make sure that you have thre right communication equipment and set times each day to contact a family member.
Bicyclecamper said
11:49 AM Oct 14, 2020
I cannot recommend anywhere in QLD, but can recommend a spot in NSW, Copeton Dam, on the Howel eastern side. No fee's, water all year round, bush toilet, and many. many, many quiet camping areas to pick from. We haunt the area in the middle of the year, for cooler camping. Does get a bit hot in the warmer months but, not as hot as QLD gets. A town: Inverell is nearby about 35km, with all the conveniences. You will not be disappointed in the stay.
DMaxer said
12:31 PM Oct 14, 2020
I think Copeton Dam is closed for camping at the moment . It is open for day use only. That was the case a month or so ago.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Wednesday 14th of October 2020 12:31:35 PM
oldbloke said
04:44 PM Oct 14, 2020
Do you have the wickicamps app? Start there.
Bicyclecamper said
06:53 AM Oct 15, 2020
Well, that's odd, I camped out there at Copeton for a night on the bike, 2 days before I went to QLD last week. Howel end was open to a lot of campers.
DMaxer said
09:22 AM Oct 15, 2020
It showed that it was closed to camping on the website but that was when I looked more than a month ago Ric.
Glad it is open again because that is where I am heading in a few weeks.
Bryan said
12:27 PM Oct 15, 2020
DMaxer wrote:
I don't know about that Mike. I have had work contracts where some of the employees have practised this for eight hours a day, five days a week for many years yet still seem to regain consciousness at knock off time without any noticeable loss of mental or physical faculties. Go down to your local council and have a look.
Gold
secondorder said
02:37 AM Oct 19, 2020
Thank you everyone for the recommendations! They are much appreciated.
Possum3 said
08:18 AM Oct 21, 2020
Secondorder, The main requirement when going off grid is most definitely a good supply of potable water. That being the case if I were to attempt your plan, I would be seeking a rural farming property that needs a watchful eye on the property for an extended period. My initial thought is a remote property that requires someone to ensure windmill, stock trough is managed whilst owners are working off-property.
A Stock & Station Agent is where I would make initial enquiries.
secondorder said
03:23 PM Oct 27, 2020
I found the perfect place!
Thanks for the help everyone!
KJB said
03:42 PM Oct 27, 2020
That is great.
Please keep us all informed of your progress or outcome, if convenient .
Hi everyone, this is my very first post on these forums, so I hope I've picked the appropriate place to do so.
I've been looking around for a place in Queensland to camp for an extended period of time. I'm about to sit a solo two year meditation retreat, and ideally I'd like to find somewhere for this retreat that meets two primary criteria: 1. Somewhere that has access to water. and 2. Somewhere that I am unlikely to be disturbed much.
I would be extremely quiet, well behaved and self sustained. Basically all I will be doing is sitting still, meditating for 16 hours per day.
Preferably within three or so hours drive from Brisbane, but I understand that this might not be possible
I have a few thousand dollars to spend on a location for this retreat, but given the length of time I'd be staying, I couldn't afford more than about $5 a night for this period.
Does anybody know of a place that might accommodate?
Thanks in advance!
There are plenty of places to stay if you don't mind moving around that won't cost but then you have to think about the fuel you would use doing it maybe look for a housesit or farm help in exchange for accommodation.
Cheers
I cannot recommend a location in Qld I'm afraid although I know plenty in Vic. However I do suggest that if you really plan to meditate for 16 hours per day every day for two years I strongly suspect your mental and physical health will be in very poor condition after some time. May I suggest you discuss this with your GP beforehand?
Mike wrote,
"However I do suggest that if you really plan to meditate for 16 hours per day every day for two years I strongly suspect your mental and physical health will be in very poor condition after some time. May I suggest you discuss this with your GP beforehand?"
I'm with you Mike, apologies to the poster if I am wrong but is this a furphy??? Two years of sitting still for 16 hours then going to bed for another 8 would cause massive muscle deterioration and I doubt that anyone would be able to stand let alone walk?
-- Edited by Magnarc on Tuesday 13th of October 2020 09:20:45 AM
Other half has done a 10 day meditation course, it's hard work. I also know at least 3 more who have done it & said the same thing.
There is a nice place west of Mt Isa, & if you go to the far end of the camping area you would have peace & quite for most of the time. There is a public toilet there as well, a bit of a walk but would save a lot of effort.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Tuesday 13th of October 2020 10:50:44 AM
Mike Harding: My mental health definitely won't be in poor condition. Research about positive neurological benefits of meditation has been piling up over the last couple of decades. As for physical health, yes to some degree, sitting still increases the risk of conditions like Deep Vein Thrombosis and will definitely result in a fair bit of muscle deterioration. I'm going to do a very brief workout and stretch each day to prevent as much of this as possible.
Magnarc: No I'm not joking, this has been a serious plan of mine for some time now. Buddhist monks in Tibet and Nepal have been practising extended meditation retreats of 5 years+ for centuries.
I appreciate your concern for my health, and I understand that it might seem like a bit of a strange thing to do for someone that hasn't spent much time meditating, but I've been researching about this kind of thing for a while now and I'm quite confident that I'll be able to complete it in a healthy and safe way.
Whenarewethere: Looks great, thanks for the recommendation. It's a bit further from Brisbane than I was planning, but it's definitely something I'll keep in mind!
Guru,
Is the camp spot you have posted Clem Walton Park which is about half way between Mt. Isa & Cloncurry??
If so then mate it is to the west of Cloncurry or East of Mt. Isa.
If not the Clem Walton Park, then it would have been great if you had of mentioned the name of the camp site.
Better to have an overload of info then not enough.
Jay&Dee
Got my east & west mixed up & I didn't know the name.
Being in a car only we can explore & can stop anywhere which looks nice, including brilliant long time disused gravel pits which have overgrown, they are some of the best spots.
Talk to your GP, what harm can it do?
Is staying in National Parks too expensive for you? But most except in the Stanthorpe area, require you to be self sufficient in everything - including water! Have a look in the Crows Nest area.
You will find most places will have more to see both day & night, than to just sitting in a quiet spot following your interest. Nature in all its glory is there to be seen, you just have to look & accept the way that the beings we follow, worship, show it.
It appears in the form of birds, butterflies, plants, trees, insects, the celestial objects in the sky, etc.
Best of luck. Have a look in the Solo Travellers segment too.
Secondorder, Good luck. You have set yourself quite a goal and I hope that you can achieve it without any serious problems.
One thing more, make sure that you have thre right communication equipment and set times each day to contact a family member.
I think Copeton Dam is closed for camping at the moment . It is open for day use only. That was the case a month or so ago.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Wednesday 14th of October 2020 12:31:35 PM
Gold
A Stock & Station Agent is where I would make initial enquiries.
Thanks for the help everyone!
That is great.
Please keep us all informed of your progress or outcome, if convenient .
All the Best......