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Welcome to Free Range Camping e-news
Hello everyone and welcome to the third edition of our newsletter. In this issue we will be updating you with progress in the FRC Directory, and telling you more about our recent trip to outback Queensland where we got to stay and Help Out some amazing farmers and experience life on the land. Then, in stark contrast we have a look at the RV Friendly North Queensland town of Babinda and some great camp sites in the area. We also have a story about an inspirational lady we met whilst travelling, and we check out two great new products, the SPATAP and the BOG OUT vehicle recovery system. Both of which have made special offers to our readers and members.
We would also like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all our our members and supporters throughout the year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Hope you are all out Camping for the holidays.
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Thanks to everyone for the valuable feedback we have received since our last newsletter. As a result, we have been busy making quite a few changes to the FRC Directory.
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Log in process
Firstly, we have streamlined the log-in process. Now, if you do not log out each time you use the directory, upon your return, there is no need to sign in all over again. From the home page, if you are already a member, simply click on the “View Maps” button and head straight to the map with search function. If you are not a member you can click on the “Register Now” button. Registration is free and you just need to enter your email address. You can then start searching through all of our Camp site listings.
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Search Function
The search bar has now been moved to the top of the map, so you can enter your search details first up and off you go. Or, there is still the original drop down menu for those that prefer this method.
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Feedback
We are constantly looking to improve the Directory so your input is very important to us. Please let us know what you think or give us any feedback by dropping us a line at [email protected]
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During the month of September, we had some amazing experiences in the Queensland outback. We left the Sunshine Coast and headed out west, stopping off at several farms and properties along the way including Mungallla, Charleville, Longreach & Winton. The experiences we had on these properties are amongst the most memorable of our entire three years on the road. It gave us the opportunity to meet farmers in their environment and experience the bush life and what they go thru. We were able to help them out, and in many cases even though our input was small and short, it left us feeling inspired by the effort these people put into life on the land. However, they assured us that our visits had made quite a difference to them also.
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This has given us even more inspiration to continue with the Help Out category of our directory. It is a section that allows travellers to connect with anyone, including Farmers that need a helping hand. It allows for travellers to exchanging a helping hand for somewhere to park their rigs or pitch a tent. The experience is a win-win for both parties, with the farmers relishing the helping hand and company, and travellers, like us enjoying new experiences we may not have otherwise had.
You can read more about each property we went to and the experiences we had by clicking on the links below.
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'West Leinster’ @ Mungalla
For our first farm experience, we camped out on this 82,000 acre property and helped out checking water levels and feeding cattle.
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‘Balmacarra’ @ Charleville
A great experience camping out on this large cattle property and getting the opportunity to Muster Cattle and sort them in the yards.
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‘Kanandah’ @ Longreach
We set up camp on this 37,000 acre drought effected property and helped out with some fencing and hand feeding of cattle.
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‘Carisbrooke’ @ Winton
Here we met Charlie who was forced from his farm by the Bank, only to hand it back in a dilapidated state, forcing him to rebuild his Campgrounds.
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Babinda
Babinda in Far North Queensland is one of those small country towns you come to which is perhaps not all that heard of, but packed full of surprises. Whilst it is small, it is still very well serviced with a full range of local businesses. It is surrounded by National Parks and two of Queensland’s highest mountains with crystal clear streams and some amazing waterfalls. Weather you love exploring, bushwalking, fishing, or just relaxing, you will find something to keep you well occupied. It is an RV Friendly town, with two free camps and welcoming locals.
To find out more about Babinda, read our full review via the link below.
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Spa Tap
Water is premium to any camper. Having enough of it, and using it wisely is critical. That is why we like the Spa Tap. It is a camping tap and shower system all in one. It allows you to turn any existing bottle into an instant shower or water source, and regulates the flow of the water so it lasts longer. Whether it is strapped to your tent, or hanging off your awning, this is a great little product to have in your camping kit. We recently met the designer of this great Aussie invention and have been using it ourselves over the last few weeks. We are quite impressed with it and have written a full review on the product. Spa Tap are currently offering Free delivery Australia wide and discounts on multiple purchases. To find out more, read our review and see the Spa Tap in action, click on the link below.
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Camping options @ Babinda
As we stopped to explore Babinda, we soon discovered this RV Friendly town was full of camping options. With two free camps, a couple of caravan parks nearby, and four low cost camp sites in the nearby National Park, there are plenty of places to park your rig or set up your tent.
We stayed at the Babinda Rotary Park which was across the highway and only an 800m walk to town. It is a popular spot that fills quickly in the tourist season. You can stay for 3 nights, which gives you plenty of time to look around the area. Located beside one of the many crystal clear streams in the area, it is a very well serviced site with a new toilet and shower block. There is plenty of room for all size rigs.
The second free camp site is at the Babinda Boulders. About 6km out of town, this is a smaller camp area, but in a stunning location within walking distance to the Boulders.
Other options if you want to stay in the area longer are the Bramston Beach Council Camping area only 20km away at Bramston Beach or Fisheries Fall Holiday Park 20km north.
There are also some low cost camping options available in and around Mt Bartle Frere and the National Park. These include Big Rock Camp, Eastern Summit Camp, Western Summit camp & Junction Camp
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Travelling Solo
We meet some very inspirational people while travelling, and at Ravenshoe in Far North Queensland, we had the pleasure of meeting Valerie. Pushing 75 as she puts it, she is a solo female traveller who is thoroughly enjoying life on the road. Val had a great set up, and we were impressing with some of the little things she has thought of to make life easier for herself. This included a very ingenious way of reversing her vehicle to her caravan, which consisted of lining up two images on the van and her rear windscreen. We asked Val to write an article for us about life on the road as a single traveller and here is what she had to say.
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Bog Out
As a camper, chances are you will have a 4WD, and if you are not towing your van with it, or it is not being towed along behind you, you will be off exploring it in. If that is the case, at one time or another there is a good chance you will get bogged. This is exactly what happened to us recently, and whilst we were fortunate enough to get out, we reaslised we were not prepared enough. That is why this month we are reviewing the BOG OUT vehicle recovery system. Which, we think is one of the best recovery systems on the market.
Simple to use, light weight, and very cost effective, you can read more about it and see it in use in our review.
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Whats on around the place
There are not many caravan shows on over December, but we have found a few events around Australia for December and the New Year, that all cater for campers.
12 December - Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival, Manjimup, WA
27 December – 1 January - Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
28 December – 3 January 16 - Falls Festival, Marion Bay, TAS – Lorne, VIC – Byron, NSW
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