Camping spots n tips

[Twinings]

I have decided to take a leap out of my comfort zone and try camping. Im super excited and cant wait to get out of the city n show my kids the 'real' outdoors. I have got us a tent n some gear but I need to find some good spots to try. We want to go in about two weeks when husband finally returns for a night or two. I would love to hear some recommendations of spots within about 2-3 hours outside brissy. If anyone has any tips I would love to hear them too.

[michelle_j_r]

Have you checked out Wivenhoe Dam (http://www.seqwater.com.au/public/recreation/camping) (where we are having our Great IP Meet Up next year)?

Or Bribie Island?

Or another place i have not been to but have looked at online cos i want to go later in the year.... let's see if i can find it without having to backtrack through my FB feed.... was it in Nightcap National Park?? I'll have to have a proper look but it seemed nice.

[Twinings]

Thanks for that, wivenhoe looks like it might be a good spot to try first.
I found Sharp Park (http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/gold-coast/accommodation/sharp-park-river-bend-country-bush-camping/index.cfm) and thought it might be good too.
I really wanted somewhere others have been n think its great, I would hate to have my first experience turn to crap cause i have picked a crappy location.

[Joey]

Do you have small children? Because if you do Elanda Point (for grassy quiet family style camping) or Boreen Point (way more relaxed, not grassy but can have fires and get away with more noise) are brilliant, both are on Lake Cootharaba which is shallow and warm and gorgeous and safe.

Mt Glorious has a great national part spot over the woodford side.

The beach between Noosa and Rainbow has some great spots but obviously you needs a 4WD

North Shore is also great, that is more of a park place with little shop etc as I remember and accessible by 2WD but gorgeous.

Kenilworth is amazing too, national park, creek couple of different camp grounds.

Ummm thats all I can think of right now. What sort of camping are you looking for? Beach? Park facilities?

[Kali]

Booloomba creek

brunswick heads


:D

[soulmama]

I second Elanda and Boreen Point. We love them both. :)

[Harmony]

Have really, really, really comfortable mattresses is my #1 camping tip :2lol I hate sleeping on thin mattresses where you can feel all the bumps and lumps, or on airbeds which jiggle the kids awake when I roll over or let themselves down.

And pack for all weather, just in case - it can be surprisingly cold on the ground at 5am, even in Queensland ;)

[mama_bel]

When we first went camping with little ones, we chose places with really good facilities which weren't too isolated. That way, we could ease into the packing-everything phase, and avoid the feeling of going-without. :) We'd both camped through our childhoods and as a young couple, though, usually bush camping (no facilities, often no tent - just a swag and a fire), so it wasn't a drastic step for us.

We camp at least twice a year and each time I think, "Isn't it bizarre how we have all the gear to set up another 'home' away from our actual home, that is more comfortable than a lot of people in this world sleep in every single night." We're blessed.

Camping is great to get away from technology, work demands, noise, convenience. It puts you in touch with nature, which is always a good thing IMO. ;)

Have fun!

[chaos]

my kids love Elanda too - nice and flat to take their bikes :)

[Twinings]

Thanks everyone, there is some awesome places to try on my list now.

We are very 'city' people and have never even had a back yard (not for long tho, soon we will have a real house yippee), so I loved the idea of getting out amongst nature with no tv, lap tops and turning off the mobiles. My daughter is scared of tiny little things n I was hoping this would help boost her confidence a little and trying new things. I honestly think she will go crazy with all the space lol. I love the idea of having our gear all there ready to go so we can just chuck the kids in the car n head away for the weekend whenever we wanted to.

I cant wait to make damper n roast marshmallows and do a little hiking, kick a ball round and even read a book. Ahhhhhh the simple life!

What does everyone use for cooking?? I really want to cook on an open fire but thought I would grab one of those gas cookers too.

[Phoenix]

Sounds lovely S.

[jodiemiller]

You used to be able to have a campfire at Boreen - not sure if you still can. At Elanda point, you have to use the prescribed BBQs or take your own for cooking. You also have to buy their firewood. *grumbles*. Around here we call them 'camp nazis'. Cooking on the fire requires special equipment, and it can be easy to end up having to eat charcoal.

More good sites: Peach Trees near Kenilworth and Cedar Grove in Amamoor State Forest are brilliant sites with freshwater swimming holes.

If you haven't camped before, and if you've got little kids, then keep it really simple and close to home. There have been times we've had to pack up and move on due to excessive heat, or insects, or wind. It's not fun with kids and without the right equipment.