What are the checks you make prior to camping in an unknown area to ensure your safety and security of your equipment?
I have recently discovered this site (Crime Rate) showing the crime rate for an area, although after checking some of the areas known to me, Im not 100% trusting of its accuracy. However it is a good indicator.
When I arrive at a place, I typically look for evidence of broken windscreen glass, doughnuts and burn out marks, and of course the amount of rubbish left behind.
Whilst homeless campers may not mean that theyre criminals, I must confess that I do treat them with some trepidation and may influence me whether I stay or not.
What other telltales and experiences have you learnt?
Are We Lost said
07:00 PM Jul 18, 2023
An interesting site. Thanks. From trying a few suburbs and localities it does seem roughly aligned with the vibe I get from them.
And "vibe" is what I use when considering if a camp looks risky. As you say, does it look like a spot where there have been frequent drinking parties, with rubbish and broken glass. A burnt out car would send some strong signals.
Possum3 said
08:52 PM Jul 18, 2023
We monitor local events pretty closely and rely on other campers advice.
Cuppa said
09:11 PM Jul 18, 2023
We don't usually camp in or close to towns. Our observations & gut feelings have picked up an 'uncomfortable vibe' a handful of times & we've moved on, but that is a rarity. We have never experienced anything worse than inconsiderate use of generators/chain saws, late night loud drunken party voices & ....... country & western music. We do prefer to camp alone most of the time and always ensure when camping near a road that we are out of sight of the road.
landy said
10:08 PM Jul 18, 2023
Thanks for the link Anolphart very interesting.
vanTas said
11:01 PM Jul 18, 2023
That Crime Rate site has nothing at all for all of Tasmania.
Therefore, where else have they omitted to publish the data?
Am not impressed.
Basher said
09:01 AM Jul 19, 2023
We have never stopped and checked, either follow the news or trust in your own gut feel. As others have said, don't camp to close to ANY town, I gather your refering to free bush camping. We are more concerned about noise eg generators, yesterday we pulled into a bush camp early to do some thigs, one other there, 3 males with generator going in the middle of the afternoon, drove out parked up alone 5km down the road, peace and quiet. Had a lovely quiet night with fire.
I think your over worrying, more chance of being in a accident, hopefully not! Basher
-- Edited by Basher on Wednesday 19th of July 2023 09:02:40 AM
Aussie1 said
10:10 AM Jul 19, 2023
Basher wrote:
We have never stopped and checked, either follow the news or trust in your own gut feel. As others have said, don't camp to close to ANY town, I gather your refering to free bush camping. We are more concerned about noise eg generators, yesterday we pulled into a bush camp early to do some thigs, one other there, 3 males with generator going in the middle of the afternoon, drove out parked up alone 5km down the road, peace and quiet. Had a lovely quiet night with fire.
I think your over worrying, more chance of being in a accident, hopefully not! Basher
-- Edited by Basher on Wednesday 19th of July 2023 09:02:40 AM
Well done and how refreshing to read someone doing the sensible thing and simply moving on if not happy with generator usage. Instead of just "bitching" about generators. We do the same and move on if someone has a fire near were we had planned to stop.
Dick0 said
10:49 AM Jul 19, 2023
Hi Zol,
I find WikiCamps reviews a good source about camp sites. Usually someone will comment if a site has problems.
rmoor said
11:14 AM Jul 19, 2023
Have spotted that site and crime rates in a location are a good indicator.
For my travels I am compiling a list of places NOT to go to. Have a few on there already.
Townsville has got the rocket and a few others.
I also mentioned on here today on another thread the dangers in Dubbo NSW as it is a service centre and attracts a lot of out of towners for medical, drug rehab services etc and can be a high crime rate area.
Have had my car stolen there before (who hasn't?) and wary now of where I park or go.
Shouldn't say this but I am usually heavily armed where I camp.
They won't get me again easily.
Also have a bush livestock camera I use for more remote spots.
I have also found my instincts are better over the years, after a few years living in the mountains reckon I can sniff where a snake is living and places not to stop at?
Plain Truth said
06:50 PM Jul 19, 2023
We also don't free camp to close to towns.especially on weekends.
The local young ones like a short drive out to set up for a fun week end to unwind.
We also notice the closer to town, the more broken glass and rubbish.
But we have never had any trouble at any free camps we have stayed at.
What are the checks you make prior to camping in an unknown area to ensure your safety and security of your equipment?
I have recently discovered this site (Crime Rate) showing the crime rate for an area, although after checking some of the areas known to me, Im not 100% trusting of its accuracy. However it is a good indicator.
When I arrive at a place, I typically look for evidence of broken windscreen glass, doughnuts and burn out marks, and of course the amount of rubbish left behind.
Whilst homeless campers may not mean that theyre criminals, I must confess that I do treat them with some trepidation and may influence me whether I stay or not.
What other telltales and experiences have you learnt?
And "vibe" is what I use when considering if a camp looks risky. As you say, does it look like a spot where there have been frequent drinking parties, with rubbish and broken glass. A burnt out car would send some strong signals.
We don't usually camp in or close to towns. Our observations & gut feelings have picked up an 'uncomfortable vibe' a handful of times & we've moved on, but that is a rarity.
We have never experienced anything worse than inconsiderate use of generators/chain saws, late night loud drunken party voices & ....... country & western music. We do prefer to camp alone most of the time and always ensure when camping near a road that we are out of sight of the road.
Therefore, where else have they omitted to publish the data?
Am not impressed.
We have never stopped and checked, either follow the news or trust in your own gut feel.
As others have said, don't camp to close to ANY town, I gather your refering to free bush camping.
We are more concerned about noise eg generators, yesterday we pulled into a bush camp early to do some thigs, one other there, 3 males with generator going in the middle of the afternoon, drove out parked up alone 5km down the road, peace and quiet. Had a lovely quiet night with fire.
I think your over worrying, more chance of being in a accident, hopefully not!
Basher
-- Edited by Basher on Wednesday 19th of July 2023 09:02:40 AM
Well done and how refreshing to read someone doing the sensible thing and simply moving on if not happy with generator usage. Instead of just "bitching" about generators. We do the same and move on if someone has a fire near were we had planned to stop.
Hi Zol,
I find WikiCamps reviews a good source about camp sites. Usually someone will comment if a site has problems.
For my travels I am compiling a list of places NOT to go to. Have a few on there already.
Townsville has got the rocket and a few others.
I also mentioned on here today on another thread the dangers in Dubbo NSW as it is a service centre and attracts a lot of out of towners for medical, drug rehab services etc and can be a high crime rate area.
Have had my car stolen there before (who hasn't?) and wary now of where I park or go.
Shouldn't say this but I am usually heavily armed where I camp.
They won't get me again easily.
Also have a bush livestock camera I use for more remote spots.
I have also found my instincts are better over the years, after a few years living in the mountains reckon I can sniff where a snake is living and places not to stop at?
We also don't free camp to close to towns.especially on weekends.
The local young ones like a short drive out to set up for a fun week end to unwind.
We also notice the closer to town, the more broken glass and rubbish.
But we have never had any trouble at any free camps we have stayed at.