Hi Briche, we are new to the free camping as well really. We did the most ever last year and it was great.
I don't like to park real close to other vanners, we all like a bit of privacy, but if there are a few more in the area we choose, I feel a lot more relaxed.
On the way home last week from picking up our new van, we chose a lovely spot out of Camps 6 and pulled in, very surprised to see we were the only ones in there. It was about 2 klms in off the main road and right on the river. We thought some would eventually come in but they didn't.
I'm a sook and was ill at ease all night because it was so deserted. But in hindsight, it was one of the loveliest spots we have stayed in and I should have relaxed a lot more.
jonathan said
07:31 AM May 17, 2011
"Free-camping" is my preferred choice .. Since leaving Sth Aust in January I am now in my third Caravan Park .. and really deciding now, whether or not to go to darwin from Katherine. Very little 'free-camping' available on this leg ..
.. maybe a "day-trip" eh ? .. hehe
Ones safety when free-camping might also be gauged by what your mode of travel might be .. we all have our own 'camping' preferences and must be happy happy with our selection ..
I dont have a dog .. but a dogs bowl with "PIGNUTS" left at the doorway could have that additional touch one needs .. right next to the the cardboard box with a red blanket inside .. oh .. and dont forget the scratchmarks on the ground ..
Jon
jules47 said
10:22 AM May 17, 2011
Ha Ha Jon - someone told me women living alone should have a pair of workboots at the front door, and hand mens clothes on the line sometimes - maybe I should carry a pair of John's old boots in the van, and put them outside at night - where are you staying in Katherine ? Have some friends staying at the one out at the crossing (Springvale? something like that) - they have a F250 towing a fifth wheeler, Big Bear - Bruce and Meg - if you are there, go and say hello - nice people, originally from Melbourne, on the road full time - we stayed at Mareeba together in 2009. and travelled to Mt Surprise and over to Isa with them and another couple, who are caretaking a station at Larrimah.
Ma said
04:11 PM May 17, 2011
99% of the time we leave the tug hooked up. It makes me feel more secure and I have told Blue that if there are any problems just get in there and drive. He can stop up the road a bit and let me out of the van.
Yes we make it a rule whenever possible to choose our "spot" by 3pm and if we don't feel secure then we still have enough daylight hours to move on and find somewhere else.
jonathan said
07:31 PM May 17, 2011
Hi Jules ..
Have been staying at the Redgums CP .. initially (unpowered) for 12.50 .. then these last 2 nights at 20.00 pn as a single on 'power' ..
Leaving early tomorrow for the Darwin area, so won't be able to look up any folk in the morning .. not sure how long I'll be up there, but it wont be too long though. Coming back via the Kakadu area then down to 3-ways before heading East ..
I plan to do Darwin again next year .. but plan to be a little more organised ..
cheers
Jon
hels said
12:53 PM Mar 24, 2015
We like to free camp because we can have a fire & then you meet up with lots of people that you don't necessarily meet in caravan pks. We are fully self contained which is a bonus so the only time we need a pk is for power when we do our washing. We also feel it's safer to leave our van in a c/van pk when we sight see but that's just us
Hi Briche, we are new to the free camping as well really. We did the most ever last year and it was great.
I don't like to park real close to other vanners, we all like a bit of privacy, but if there are a few more in the area we choose, I feel a lot more relaxed.
On the way home last week from picking up our new van, we chose a lovely spot out of Camps 6 and pulled in, very surprised to see we were the only ones in there. It was about 2 klms in off the main road and right on the river. We thought some would eventually come in but they didn't.
I'm a sook and was ill at ease all night because it was so deserted. But in hindsight, it was one of the loveliest spots we have stayed in and I should have relaxed a lot more.
"Free-camping" is my preferred choice .. Since leaving Sth Aust in January I am now in my third Caravan Park .. and really deciding now, whether or not to go to darwin from Katherine. Very little 'free-camping' available on this leg ..
.. maybe a "day-trip" eh ? .. hehe
Ones safety when free-camping might also be gauged by what your mode of travel might be .. we all have our own 'camping' preferences and must be happy happy with our selection ..
I dont have a dog .. but a dogs bowl with "PIGNUTS" left at the doorway could have that additional touch one needs .. right next to the the cardboard box with a red blanket inside .. oh .. and dont forget the scratchmarks on the ground ..
Jon
where are you staying in Katherine ? Have some friends staying at the one out at the crossing (Springvale? something like that) - they have a F250 towing a fifth wheeler, Big Bear - Bruce and Meg - if you are there, go and say hello - nice people, originally from Melbourne, on the road full time - we stayed at Mareeba together in 2009. and travelled to Mt Surprise and over to Isa with them and another couple, who are caretaking a station at Larrimah.
99% of the time we leave the tug hooked up. It makes me feel more secure and I have told Blue that if there are any problems just get in there and drive. He can stop up the road a bit and let me out of the van.
Yes we make it a rule whenever possible to choose our "spot" by 3pm and if we don't feel secure then we still have enough daylight hours to move on and find somewhere else.
Hi Jules ..
Have been staying at the Redgums CP .. initially (unpowered) for 12.50 .. then these last 2 nights at 20.00 pn as a single on 'power' ..
Leaving early tomorrow for the Darwin area, so won't be able to look up any folk in the morning .. not sure how long I'll be up there, but it wont be too long though. Coming back via the Kakadu area then down to 3-ways before heading East ..
I plan to do Darwin again next year .. but plan to be a little more organised ..
cheers
Jon