OK Gerty - where do I find these 'bush' camps? I often wonder what would happen if I just left the highway and ducked into some of these side roads -other than I would probably either get stuck or not be able to turn around and get out again Is there info some where for people who dont want to stray too far from the sealed roads?

Before you drive into some of these places the best advice i can give you is do what we do, one of us goes for a walk in first to have a quick look see ,to make sure one can turn around or park up first,or if there is rubbish left like beer/bottles cans in camp fires, if it is not that far out from a town , you can bet that the perfect camp spot you just found is the local hoons camp also.

GaryKelly wrote:

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I camped as a kid and called it camping. Nothing else. In those days, it was out in the bush with not a soul in sight so skinny dipping was the order of the day.

As to "free", my camper is a "Freeway". Not much I can do about that. So now that we have camping sorted, what do you call staying in a caravan park?

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 Gary staying in a caravan park ,is paying for the privilege of being on some one elses property and obaying their rules and regulations.So i guess you would call it paying for owning a RV of sorts.  The old saying user pays , in this case for not a lot.

I was 'corrected' the other day - 'we do NOT free camp - we are Independant Campers'.

I want to start a new trend!

Independant  - to clunky

Free - now a dirty word it seems

Freedom - a bit 'proper' and only heard it once

Bush - mmmm what is that - maybe all the places not in the 'bible' that I dont know about.

So - from now on if I am not paying for a CP then I am simply CAMPING

Anyone care to join me?

Gday...

Like ya thinkin' .... I have just been camping since I was 15 - we never called it anything else.

"Free/independent/freedom/bush" are all new words ... much the same that everyone these days are 'guys' YUK ! ! !

Cheers - John

PS: I lurve gettin' old - I can now justify my grumpiness

spida wrote:

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OK Gerty - where do I find these 'bush' camps? I often wonder what would happen if I just left the highway and ducked into some of these side roads -other than I would probably either get stuck or not be able to turn around and get out again Is there info some where for people who dont want to stray too far from the sealed roads?

 

-- Edited by spida on Wednesday 1st of May 2013 08:48:48 AM

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 We have found quite a few in the past, some are mentioned in the Camps books, some were literally out in the bush or desert when we had a tent and 4WD. Read Peter and Margarets blog, look at the Explore Oz website. Some National parks have cheap campsites, some are better than others.

These days you rarely find a quiet spot, many have been closed, for example there used to be lovely camp spots along the Eyre highway towards the cliffs.  Theres so many nomads on the road its like a caravan park with no facilities in most "free camps". 

Youre right about going up bush-tracks, we've had to learn how to do a u-ie on narrow roads! but sometimes you find a nice area. Camping on your own isnt recommended nowadays for safety reasons.

spida wrote:

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OK Gerty - where do I find these 'bush' camps? I often wonder what would happen if I just left the highway and ducked into some of these side roads -other than I would probably either get stuck or not be able to turn around and get out again Is there info some where for people who dont want to stray too far from the sealed roads?

 

-- Edited by spida on Wednesday 1st of May 2013 08:48:48 AM

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Spida, my thoughts exactly, I'ts a bit intimidating to go off the main road on you own. I really would like to see what's at the end of that dirt road but, I'm responsible for my own actions so I think twice, as you do.

No matter where I am I'm just camping and really....nothings free....what did it cost to set up to 'free camp'

And am following your blog Spida, you go girl !!!!!

Camping it is for us also.

Even when just stoppong for the night somewhere, it's still camping.

Never beenn brought up expecting a "free" ride.

Ken

I said exactly the same thing a couple of days ago here. http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t53505573/free-camping/?page=2&sort=newestFirst

G'day

As a GN I love going bush and being in the bush, to me it will allways be going bush, where ever it is.

So I'll be hinching up my swag and waltzing around this paridise we call Aus and you can all come a waltzing with me if you so wish.

cheers

Kev

GaryKelly wrote:

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I camped as a kid and called it camping. Nothing else. In those days, it was out in the bush with not a soul in sight so skinny dipping was the order of the day.

As to "free", my camper is a "Freeway". Not much I can do about that. So now that we have camping sorted, what do you call staying in a caravan park?

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 Caravan parking???????

We call it free camping because that's what it is to us . Use stock routes often where you can get well off the road .

also often stay at cheaper campsites  . We don't need facilities . On some rare occasions we go to a CP .

I don't care what we call it, I recognise all the names, and I woud not be precious about any of them.

I just want to get out there. Only another 10 months to wait till we hook up the van for a trial run.

AmandaJayne wrote:

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I suppose I can call it independant camping because we've spent lots on making the bus as independant as possible.. so I can't call it free camping because it did cost to put the solar systems up in the first place.... but I do enjoy being out of the towns and in the bush :)

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 We all have to spend money to become free wheelers , but the free camp you stay at dosn't come free some one had to pay for it in the first place and in some cases the on going up keep.

Whilst not wishing to disagree with anything said previously, we all seem to be scared of the so called local hoons.

I can still remember (just) back to my teens when the drinking age was 21 and as teenagers with our first cars we would go to local bush spots, in those days only 7 miles out of Bne and about a mile from home, and have a drink (two pot screamers) and generally stuff around.  It was basically that or the drive-in.

We weren't out to commit murder and mayhem.  I think for teens in most small towns it is quite possibly the same. If you are somewhere and the "kids" come in, introduce yourself, you might be surprised at their response. Sometimes they are as fascinated to hear of your travels as you may be to talk to them.

In most cases I think you'll find they are working kids letting off a bit of steam and not trying to annoy or bother anyone.  Beats going to the pub, drinking and brawling. so what if they have a drink and sleep it off in their cars. That's what we do at happy hour only with a bit more comfort. Get to know them, (don't lecture them) it might just be the best security you can have.

What are the statistics of grey nomads being monstered by local hoons? Belligerence begets belligerence.

In my case I'vealways been more fearful of the more mature person (read "cranky old bugger")with drink in him and an axe to grind.

I love to meet the kids they often bring a refreshing view to things and they are the generation who'll be looking after us in our dotage. Let them see that we are not a close minded group of old narks, you may be surprised.

Cheers,

Jack

Jack Mac wrote:

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Whilst not wishing to disagree with anything said previously, we all seem to be scared of the so called local hoons.

SNIP

I love to meet the kids they often bring a refreshing view to things and they are the generation who'll be looking after us in our dotage. Let them see that we are not a close minded group of old narks, you may be surprised.

Cheers,

Jack

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 Spot on Jack, I have to agree 100% with you. I've been in some "interesting" situations or places at times and simply talked my way out of it  with verbal and body language.

Regards

Denis

Interesting results Spida, thanks for posting that, how long does the poll last?

Loved Edith Falls, been there twice.  Last time I was there there were a couple of places just outside the gate for long rigs, still had to pay the camping fee but had the use of facilities etc.  Some big rigs would camp on the open area on the corner of the main highway and the road into the falls and just drive their vehicles down there for the day.  Not sure if that is still allowed, did you notice any there on your way in or out ?????

The walk to the top to the little falls above Edith falls was great too.  

Thanks Spida, pity about the top falls, but always other times etc.

Did you notice anyone camped up at the corner of the entry road and main highway ?????