I'm not really the sort of person that understands why reference information that is changeable would ever be printed into a book. The book is usually way out of date before it gets to the printers let alone into *my* hands.
What are the best online reference sites for camping spots particularly here on the western side of our huge continent? It might be a few years before I venture over that side of Aust
Duh said
11:17 PM Aug 27, 2013
Bob, with Camps 7 you get 4 years of free online updates and I always recommend updating a new book online after it is bought to make sure it is current. The updates are done on the Camps 7 website, can be downloaded or printed off or done as they appear. A snip from their website;
"One aspect that has proved popular and beneficial is the ability to update the book on a regular basis using our update service, this is a free service. Changes to information will undoubtedly occur, especially over time after the book's release, so it's a good idea to go to the website and check the updates before each trip. Once you have completed your first update you can then do your updates using the date range search so you will only get the new updates since your last visit.
The update service for Camps 7 is available until Jan 2017"
Online stuff is only good if you have internet coverage, no flat device batteries or otherwise. At least you can always refer to the hard copy wherever you are. Yes, some places do change, but generally most are still where they say they are in one form or another.
I see the Camps Australia Wide now have a combined Camps 7 and Caravan parks Australia wide in the one book. Bear in mind that they also give free delivery for direct online orders.
Bear in mind they also have apps for ipads, iphones and GPS, see;
Hi Bob, I know what you are saying, however I find Camps 7, photo version, invaluable. I have looked at a few electronic camp sites and have a couple of Apps for my iPad but always go back to the 'Bible'.
My opinion anyway.
jules47 said
02:22 AM Aug 28, 2013
Too true what Duh says - many, many times out in this wide land, you have no access to internet or phone for days on end - a printed book is invaluable in this instance.
Also gives a good overall look at where you are heading, and what is along the way - whereas sometimes on a computer, say, you get a small bit at a time - a book, be it CAW or any other travel reference book is easy to follow from map to map, and to the references therein.
Besides - to my mind there is nothing better than opening a new book to see what is inside!!!!!!
GypsyBob said
04:54 AM Aug 28, 2013
A PDF file takes up far less room than a book. !!
I guess I'm just part of new generation, born and raised with computers. I haven't bought a newspaper, printed magazine or book this century, don't watch TV. I'm just a high tech sort of guy; I use computers for information and entertainment.
Duh said
05:07 AM Aug 28, 2013
Each to their own Bob, a PDF is ok I suppose without internet as long as your pc doesn't cark it or have problems of some kind.
I may add the Camps books also have Hema maps, so you can use them as a map book too.
If your happy with your PDF then stick to it.
Dunmowin said
05:26 AM Aug 28, 2013
Agree with Duh on this. We only use the updates when about to travel into a certain area, and note the updates directly into the CAW7. Couple of other online sites are Wikicamps and CaravanCaravan but at this stage, I believe that CAW7 is the most concise. A for the photo version, the photos are only as current as the most recent capture. I.e, drought, fires etc.
VKPORTABLE said
05:41 AM Aug 28, 2013
I have to agree with all the others on this, the Camps 7 book is great and the online updates are very handy, print them out (or keep on your computer as PDF) for when you do not have Internet access.
Another great thing with the book is all the other additional information that comes with it relating to each site, sometimes not always an easy thing to find online especially with respect to the more remote camp sites.
Worth the money? I think it is.
Duh said
12:48 PM Aug 28, 2013
The dog lady wrote:
.....snip.....and I have found some great places that are not in the books!............
In general, like a lot of publications, both hard copy and internet etc, they rely on feedback from travellers to bring them up to date and for new editions, so if people don't contact them and give them feedback then they don't get listed.
I know Camps Aust Wide do field trips, but nobody could cover the whole of Oz as anyone who has been around a few times will testify.....I don't think anyone ever will in there lifetime...
-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 12:49:09 PM
jules47 said
03:29 PM Aug 28, 2013
Each to his own - love my computer, but when driving down a highway, a book is much easier to handle than a laptop or tablet, I think. And yes, Camps 7 is worth the money!!!
The dog lady said
03:50 PM Aug 28, 2013
GypsyBob wrote:
A PDF file takes up far less room than a book. !!
I guess I'm just part of new generation, born and raised with computers. I haven't bought a newspaper, printed magazine or book this century, don't watch TV. I'm just a high tech sort of guy; I use computers for information and entertainment.
I was born & raised well b4 computers came into widespread use, but I also prefer to use electronic references. I can switch between such programs as Wickicamps, Google maps and Earth to check both the overview and the close-up. And I have found some great places that are not in the books! I download maps for when I am out of internet range so have that covered too. And I use Maps and Earth to create a record of places visited and 2b visited.
A 6" tablet lets me continue to borrow books from my local library no matter where I am & doesn't require a light to read by. BUT, I confess I still like the "feel" of a paper book when convenient.
And TV? Isn't that what you get when you search for ABC iview?
Delta18 said
06:26 PM Aug 28, 2013
jules47 wrote:
Each to his own - love my computer, but when driving down a highway, a book is much easier to handle than a laptop or tablet, I think. And yes, Camps 7 is worth the money!!!
I agree totally, a book can easily be supported on the steering wheel where-as a laptop or tablet falls off. They banned using a mobile phone whilst driving but nothing has been said about reading a book!
The dog lady said
07:08 PM Aug 28, 2013
Delta18 wrote:
jules47 wrote:
Each to his own - love my computer, but when driving down a highway, a book is much easier to handle than a laptop or tablet, I think. And yes, Camps 7 is worth the money!!!
I agree totally, a book can easily be supported on the steering wheel where-as a laptop or tablet falls off. They banned using a mobile phone whilst driving but nothing has been said about reading a book!
can you post a photo of your rig so I can give you a wide berth out on the road please
Delta18 said
08:06 PM Aug 28, 2013
The dog lady wrote:
Delta18 wrote:
jules47 wrote:
Each to his own - love my computer, but when driving down a highway, a book is much easier to handle than a laptop or tablet, I think. And yes, Camps 7 is worth the money!!!
I agree totally, a book can easily be supported on the steering wheel where-as a laptop or tablet falls off. They banned using a mobile phone whilst driving but nothing has been said about reading a book!
can you post a photo of your rig so I can give you a wide berth out on the road please
Check my avatar...
Duh said
08:54 PM Aug 28, 2013
Don't listen to Delta18, I have been a passenger in his vehicle and he does NOT drive like that, so he is telling porkies !!
Jules has Billeee to do most of the driving, so she just needs to sit there and tell him where to go
marto1944 said
10:48 PM Aug 28, 2013
these things like many technical publications are a living document which I tell my students and they are updated as circumstances change so that is why we need to accept that but as we know with the camps books updates are available for free for a certain period of time after printing I am afraid this is a fact of life unfortunately and we either accept it or continue with our old ways it appears if you don't conform to this way you just don't exist
what the hell would we grey nomads know anyway
food for thought
peter m
Delta18 said
10:53 PM Aug 28, 2013
Duh wrote:
Don't listen to Delta18, I have been a passenger in his vehicle and he does NOT drive like that, so he is telling porkies !!
Jules has Billeee to do most of the driving, so she just needs to sit there and tell him where to go
Shhhhh Vic, you will ruin my reputation....
Duh said
12:50 AM Aug 29, 2013
Delta18 wrote:
Duh wrote:
Don't listen to Delta18, I have been a passenger in his vehicle and he does NOT drive like that, so he is telling porkies !!
Shhhhh Vic, you will ruin my reputation....
He is WORSE !!! That is not driving, like his avatar, he fly's and bounces !!!
(Apologies for the OT)........
Shayne and Leanne said
03:52 AM Aug 29, 2013
GypsyBob wrote:
I'm not really the sort of person that understands why reference information that is changeable would ever be printed into a book. The book is usually way out of date before it gets to the printers let alone into *my* hands.
What are the best online reference sites for camping spots particularly here on the western side of our huge continent? It might be a few years before I venture over that side of Aust
Hey GypsyBob, we own Camps 7 and find it great as a stationary reference to start planning trips, but for actual real time info and for that matter cross referencing purposes, we have found both these links to be invaluable, they are user friendly and can be accessed via Smartphone, Laptop or Tablet...hope they help.
Shayne and Leanne wrote: Hey GypsyBob, we own Camps 7 and find it great as a stationary reference to start planning trips, but for actual real time info and for that matter cross referencing purposes, we have found both these links to be invaluable, they are user friendly and can be accessed via Smartphone, Laptop or Tablet...hope they help.
Thanks for these Shayne & Leanne, I found the Ozcamps site yesterday and the caravancaravan onre looks helpful too :)
Cheers Bob
Lilyforrest said
12:36 AM Sep 2, 2013
Excellent advice. Taking it on board upstairs. Cheers!
chaslib said
10:23 PM Sep 10, 2013
Good comments one and all, however, strange nobody has mentioned WikiCamps? As the passenger and navigator in our car (with the assistance of the GPS) I find it invaluable and prefer it over CAW which I find is just too cumbersome to use in the car. One of the benefits of the program is the ability to download current content to your tablet whilst you are connected to the internet which makes the contents of WikiCamps always available regardless of being connected to the internet or not and as current as the last update you downloaded. Admittedly, the downloads do take some time as it is a very big program and could take a couple of hours to update which may eat into your data limits.
I often upload photos and put comments up so other users can view - CAW provide just the one little photo - WikiCamps allows the users to upload any numnber of photos, maybe not professionally taken, but they do give you a broader view of the site and comments - both good and bad - are mostly from people who have actually camped there. I have come across comments and photos from other members of the GN forums. It's not infallible and may have errors at times, but the benefits outweigh any problems you encounter with data.
For us, we travelled around QLD for 8 weeks until end of August and were able to use WikiCamps regardless of internet access and more often than not there were comments from other users dated within the last month and sometimes in the last week. I consider that pretty good! It may not be workable if you only have a small download or plan. Anyway, it's out there as an option for anyone interested. I believe there are also now plans for the program to be used on laptops (Win8 only I believe) also, but that may be a while away yet. The only thing you can not access when you have no internet is the map/directions, but thats OK if you have GPS in the vehicle.
We do still have CAW and update it online regularly, which we may refer to whilst camped or at home, so it does still get an airing occasionally - even thought about the Camps7 app but thought way too expensive. Anyway, I am sure most of you are already aware of WikiCamps - for those of you who are not, you may like to check it out.
Cheers
Joe said
05:15 PM Sep 12, 2013
The Camps book seems like a great concept and if you find yourself caught short of a planned destination it can give you a place to go for the night, but Jeez Louise the places it lists are often so CROWDED! It seems like everybody out there uses the same book and heads into the same place.
There may be an argument that the book is the worst thing to ever hit the nomad community - it is probably solely responsible for numbers of people out there who have only gone out because the book gave them the confidence to try it.
Where possible I prefer to try to find my own spot away from the crowds.
Yeah I know - I am a cranky, elitist misery-guts. :)
rockylizard said
05:30 PM Sep 12, 2013
Joe wrote:
The Camps book seems like a great concept and if you find yourself caught short of a planned destination it can give you a place to go for the night, but Jeez Louise the places it lists are often so CROWDED! It seems like everybody out there uses the same book and heads into the same place. 'j There may be an argument that the book is the worst thing to ever hit the nomad community - it is probably solely responsible for numbers of people out there who have only gone out because the book gave them the confidence to try it.
Where possible I prefer to try to find my own spot away from the crowds.
Yeah I know - I am a cranky, elitist misery-guts. :)
Gday...
You have voiced my feelings very well. This is especially so along the QLD east coast and main highways especially if there is an 'attraction' there. This is especially so from May/June/July/August - outside of these times there is much more space as the "free campers" head back south "because it is too hot" and there is breathing space available.
I have found that when in inland QLD and NSW, away from the highways and 'tourist/attraction' areas, it is not too bad.
I like to stay in out of the way places that are actually camping spots - not wayside stops that allow travellers to sleep for 24/48 hours ... more crowded than any caravan park but its 'free'.
And, definitely, the Camps book (bible) in many ways has been the boon and the dearth of those who travel - identifying places and giving confidence to those who are 'just setting out'.
Fortunately, the majority seem to enjoy being crowded into a small, wayside stop with a flushing toilet, for a day or two. I support their choice - it keeps them away from where I like to be
Cheers - John
jules47 said
05:31 PM Sep 12, 2013
Delta18 wrote:
jules47 wrote:
Each to his own - love my computer, but when driving down a highway, a book is much easier to handle than a laptop or tablet, I think. And yes, Camps 7 is worth the money!!!
I agree totally, a book can easily be supported on the steering wheel where-as a laptop or tablet falls off. They banned using a mobile phone whilst driving but nothing has been said about reading a book!
I am speaking as the passenger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not really the sort of person that understands why reference information that is changeable would ever be printed into a book. The book is usually way out of date before it gets to the printers let alone into *my* hands.
What are the best online reference sites for camping spots particularly here on the western side of our huge continent? It might be a few years before I venture over that side of Aust
Bob, with Camps 7 you get 4 years of free online updates and I always recommend updating a new book online after it is bought to make sure it is current. The updates are done on the Camps 7 website, can be downloaded or printed off or done as they appear. A snip from their website;
"One aspect that has proved popular and beneficial is the ability to update the book on a regular basis using our update service, this is a free service. Changes to information will undoubtedly occur, especially over time after the book's release, so it's a good idea to go to the website and check the updates before each trip. Once you have completed your first update you can then do your updates using the date range search so you will only get the new updates since your last visit.
The update service for Camps 7 is available until Jan 2017"
Online stuff is only good if you have internet coverage, no flat device batteries or otherwise. At least you can always refer to the hard copy wherever you are. Yes, some places do change, but generally most are still where they say they are in one form or another.
I see the Camps Australia Wide now have a combined Camps 7 and Caravan parks Australia wide in the one book. Bear in mind that they also give free delivery for direct online orders.
Bear in mind they also have apps for ipads, iphones and GPS, see;
http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/
My opinion anyway.
Also gives a good overall look at where you are heading, and what is along the way - whereas sometimes on a computer, say, you get a small bit at a time - a book, be it CAW or any other travel reference book is easy to follow from map to map, and to the references therein.
Besides - to my mind there is nothing better than opening a new book to see what is inside!!!!!!
I guess I'm just part of new generation, born and raised with computers. I haven't bought a newspaper, printed magazine or book this century, don't watch TV. I'm just a high tech sort of guy; I use computers for information and entertainment.
Each to their own Bob, a PDF is ok I suppose without internet as long as your pc doesn't cark it or have problems of some kind.
I may add the Camps books also have Hema maps, so you can use them as a map book too.
If your happy with your PDF then stick to it.
Agree with Duh on this. We only use the updates when about to travel into a certain area, and note the updates directly into the CAW7. Couple of other online sites are Wikicamps and CaravanCaravan but at this stage, I believe that CAW7 is the most concise. A for the photo version, the photos are only as current as the most recent capture. I.e, drought, fires etc.
I have to agree with all the others on this, the Camps 7 book is great and the online updates are very handy, print them out (or keep on your computer as PDF) for when you do not have Internet access.
Another great thing with the book is all the other additional information that comes with it relating to each site, sometimes not always an easy thing to find online especially with respect to the more remote camp sites.
Worth the money? I think it is.
In general, like a lot of publications, both hard copy and internet etc, they rely on feedback from travellers to bring them up to date and for new editions, so if people don't contact them and give them feedback then they don't get listed.
I know Camps Aust Wide do field trips, but nobody could cover the whole of Oz as anyone who has been around a few times will testify.....I don't think anyone ever will in there lifetime...
-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 12:49:09 PM
I was born & raised well b4 computers came into widespread use, but I also prefer to use electronic references. I can switch between such programs as Wickicamps, Google maps and Earth to check both the overview and the close-up. And I have found some great places that are not in the books! I download maps for when I am out of internet range so have that covered too. And I use Maps and Earth to create a record of places visited and 2b visited.
A 6" tablet lets me continue to borrow books from my local library no matter where I am & doesn't require a light to read by. BUT, I confess I still like the "feel" of a paper book when convenient.
And TV? Isn't that what you get when you search for ABC iview?
I agree totally, a book can easily be supported on the steering wheel where-as a laptop or tablet falls off. They banned using a mobile phone whilst driving but nothing has been said about reading a book!
can you post a photo of your rig so I can give you a wide berth out on the road please
Check my avatar...
Don't listen to Delta18, I have been a passenger in his vehicle and he does NOT drive like that, so he is telling porkies !!
Jules has Billeee to do most of the driving, so she just needs to sit there and tell him where to go
what the hell would we grey nomads know anyway
food for thought
peter m
Shhhhh Vic, you will ruin my reputation....
He is WORSE !!! That is not driving, like his avatar, he fly's and bounces !!!
(Apologies for the OT)........
Hey GypsyBob, we own Camps 7 and find it great as a stationary reference to start planning trips, but for actual real time info and for that matter cross referencing purposes, we have found both these links to be invaluable, they are user friendly and can be accessed via Smartphone, Laptop or Tablet...hope they help.
Cheers
Shayne and Lee
http://ozcamps.net/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=29
http://www.caravancaravan.com.au/
Thanks for these Shayne & Leanne, I found the Ozcamps site yesterday and the caravancaravan onre looks helpful too :)
Cheers
Bob
Cheers!
Good comments one and all, however, strange nobody has mentioned WikiCamps? As the passenger and navigator in our car (with the assistance of the GPS) I find it invaluable and prefer it over CAW which I find is just too cumbersome to use in the car. One of the benefits of the program is the ability to download current content to your tablet whilst you are connected to the internet which makes the contents of WikiCamps always available regardless of being connected to the internet or not and as current as the last update you downloaded. Admittedly, the downloads do take some time as it is a very big program and could take a couple of hours to update which may eat into your data limits.
I often upload photos and put comments up so other users can view - CAW provide just the one little photo - WikiCamps allows the users to upload any numnber of photos, maybe not professionally taken, but they do give you a broader view of the site and comments - both good and bad - are mostly from people who have actually camped there. I have come across comments and photos from other members of the GN forums. It's not infallible and may have errors at times, but the benefits outweigh any problems you encounter with data.
For us, we travelled around QLD for 8 weeks until end of August and were able to use WikiCamps regardless of internet access and more often than not there were comments from other users dated within the last month and sometimes in the last week. I consider that pretty good! It may not be workable if you only have a small download or plan. Anyway, it's out there as an option for anyone interested. I believe there are also now plans for the program to be used on laptops (Win8 only I believe) also, but that may be a while away yet. The only thing you can not access when you have no internet is the map/directions, but thats OK if you have GPS in the vehicle.
We do still have CAW and update it online regularly, which we may refer to whilst camped or at home, so it does still get an airing occasionally - even thought about the Camps7 app but thought way too expensive. Anyway, I am sure most of you are already aware of WikiCamps - for those of you who are not, you may like to check it out.
Cheers
There may be an argument that the book is the worst thing to ever hit the nomad community - it is probably solely responsible for numbers of people out there who have only gone out because the book gave them the confidence to try it.
Where possible I prefer to try to find my own spot away from the crowds.
Yeah I know - I am a cranky, elitist misery-guts. :)
Gday...
You have voiced my feelings very well. This is especially so along the QLD east coast and main highways especially if there is an 'attraction' there. This is especially so from May/June/July/August - outside of these times there is much more space as the "free campers" head back south "because it is too hot" and there is breathing space available.
I have found that when in inland QLD and NSW, away from the highways and 'tourist/attraction' areas, it is not too bad.
I like to stay in out of the way places that are actually camping spots - not wayside stops that allow travellers to sleep for 24/48 hours ... more crowded than any caravan park but its 'free'.
And, definitely, the Camps book (bible) in many ways has been the boon and the dearth of those who travel - identifying places and giving confidence to those who are 'just setting out'.
Fortunately, the majority seem to enjoy being crowded into a small, wayside stop with a flushing toilet, for a day or two. I support their choice - it keeps them away from where I like to be
Cheers - John
I am speaking as the passenger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!