Hi we have just travelled from Mandurah to Darwin with our van, and did a lot of free camping on the way.The toilets in the free camping sites are nothing short of disgusting!We talked to a lot of people along the way and it didn't matter which state they were from they all said all the free camping loos they came across were in the same condition.I know there are a lot of GN's and holiday makers touring our country and not everyone has there own loo (us inc) and the "long drop" loos just can't cope!So,whats to be done,are we greatful that the relevant shires have put in the loos,do they infact know the condition of them,if so what should they do?Surley they must be a health hazard.
Found the same thing Bushy, only one thing for it.............get a porta loo for yourself.
Only safe way
Happywanderer said
09:56 PM Jul 25, 2011
I have a portaloo for overnight and do use the long drops in freestops when I have to. They stink and are full of flies and other flying bugs. Many a time I go in first with the flyspray, spray around, go back in when they've all settled. I don't know how they can fix it as they are organic long drops and everything just composts down below. What annoys me is there will be a handbasin in there but no water coming out of it. Also at one I stayed at there were signs Wheelchair friendly and there was no way any wheelchair was going to get up that loose gravel to get to the concrete above.
lilly31 said
10:06 PM Jul 25, 2011
Marj ...I never thought of the fly spray that is a great idea maybe even some off those kitchen/bathroom wipe to clean seat before we attemp to sit on it ... I always take my own paper as half time there never any .... Not sure if they can fix smell ...
BushbabyandGumnut said
11:18 PM Jul 25, 2011
We have got a porta loo Ma but it's still in it's box! Our dilemma is,what do we do with it after we have used it and want to move on.Maybe we can strap it to the tool box on the back!! lol!
We have got a porta loo Ma but it's still in it's box! Our dilemma is,what do we do with it after we have used it and want to move on.Maybe we can strap it to the tool box on the back!! lol!
I carry mine in the back of the car. Not ideal, but nowhere else for it to go.
You could dig a hole and bury it, as in the old days. I grew up with the thunderbox in the backyard and most of the time it was Mum who emptied it as Dad was a travelling salesman.
As for the freecamp loos, I must have been lucky on my recent trip, as I found they were mostly passable. Didn't come across any long drops, but a few other non flushing types. I always carry antibacterial hand wipes. And I also carry Glen 20 wipes for my own loo, but I guess it could be used on the public ones too.
gordon_adl said
03:25 PM Jul 26, 2011
Hmm, my thoughts. I think one should consider themselves lucky to have found a free camp. If people want amenities than they should pay to camp. Alternative option is to just spend the dollars and buy a porta loo.
What ever happened to being grateful for what you've got?
Ma said
04:10 PM Jul 26, 2011
We don't expect to have ANY amenities in free camps so we updated our van to include shower and toilet. That's why it's FREE, nothing to pay for so nothing to be had.
Agree Gordon.
Happywanderer said
04:13 PM Jul 26, 2011
Who said we are not grateful gordon. We are just having a robust discussion on their condition. I would not be able to travel if there wasn't freecamps and toilets dotted all over the place. I wouldn't make it from one town to the next so have to use them all the time. I haven't seen anyone on here saying otherwise. I'm sure the others are as grateful as I am whenever I come across one and busting.
Ma said
04:30 PM Jul 26, 2011
So that I don't have anybody offside here I better explain more fully where I'm coming from.
We don't necessarily free camp in designated free camps as per Camps 6 - although we do a lot of the time, just depends on where we are, hence why we don't expect to have any amenities.
I do agree with Gordon in the respect that if you want all the toilets and showers etc., then that is what van parks are for and subsequently you pay for that priviledge.
There are always going to be people who expect everything for nothing and do take it for granted that they should be provided free of charge. Very few of this forum would fit that mould though I would think.
Places like Kumbia Marj are few and far between and when you get right out into the outback there is absolutely nothing so here is where your own porta loo or your van with shower and toilet comes in handy.
Quite often when we do free camp where there are toilets, be they clean or otherwise, I still prefer to use my own amenities. As for busting Marj...........boy can I identify with that one....................must be age catching up............nah, age is an attitude not a condition, only someone forgot to tell my body.............
gordon_adl said
04:51 PM Jul 26, 2011
Not having a go hw...but what is written below is clearly (to me)questioning whether they should be grateful.
"So,whats to be done,are we greatful that the relevant shires have put in the loos,do they infact know the condition of them...
What are your thoughts on this topic!"
My thoughts were asked...and so I gave them.
Beth54 said
05:28 PM Jul 26, 2011
Yep, I'm grateful, but I do think if the council has put in public toilets of any kind, it's their responsibility to make sure someone is cleaning them.
As for toilets at free camps, it's a bonus. And if there's showers, double bonus. When I go camping, I expect to have to BYO everything, unless I'm in a paid CP.
And Ma, I've done those outback camps too. Just find a good spot near some shady trees and you're set!
Happywanderer said
05:56 PM Jul 26, 2011
Totally agree Beth. I have stayed in freecamps with and without toilets, definitely grateful when there is one there as don't have to use my portaloo till after dark. If no toilet there I have used my portaloo. Really I can't see how anyone can travel without their own portaloo unless they are going to C/Ps all the time. Ma, Kumbia is a place I would call having all the comforts of home, you are so right, not many like that around.
jules47 said
08:38 PM Jul 28, 2011
Friends live on 20 acres - they built their own home taking five years to do so. They lived in a shed and old caravan, with a quite acceptable shower, and their loo was "up the garden path" - a long drop - it never smelt bad - and they used to have a bucket with cut grass and soil in it, a small garden shovel. when you used it, you used the shovel to sprinkle the grass/soil mixture down the "drop". Worked for them for five years. And people need to learn to put the lid down, it's not like being at home with septic or sewerage, also to only use it for what it is intended - it is not a rubbish dump, nor a place to empty your porta potti (have seen all of this on travels).
Just one take on the subject, for what it is worth.
Sheba said
08:53 PM Jul 28, 2011
Used to use Ash from the Combustion Stove in the Long-drop when living on acreage years ago. When I was a child, and there were no such things as Flush Toilets in most homes, people used to have a Sawdust Bin beside the seat.
Never had problems with flies or smell in those days.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Beth54 said
09:21 PM Jul 28, 2011
Sheba wrote:
Used to use Ash from the Combustion Stove in the Long-drop when living on acreage years ago. When I was a child, and there were no such things as Flush Toilets in most homes, people used to have a Sawdust Bin beside the seat.
Never had problems with flies or smell in those days.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Yep, sawdust bin and newspaper most of the time. Ouch!
rosco said
11:52 AM Jul 29, 2011
When I was an infant we lived on a farm. Had a thunderbox down the backyard, a few months later it was over the other side of the yard, and a mound of dirt where it used to be. This was a regular occurance. Cant remember sawdust or dirt, just newspaper that had been torn into squares and stuck onto a nail. Used to sift through the papers while I was sitting, looking for a likely photo to wipe my b.. on.
Just reminiscing.............
Ross
gordon_adl said
04:05 PM Jul 29, 2011
Just pour it down the loo. Then clean, rinse and pack it back up. Whenever we go bush we always have water and other supplies for this.
It also doesn't take much water to clean oneself either. Have done a full body wash with not much more than a cup of water. Where there is a will...there is a way.
BushbabyandGumnut wrote:
Our dilemma is,what do we do with it after we have used it and want to move on.
chappy said
08:35 PM Aug 13, 2011
We are currently in Geraldton on our way down the coast. We have stayed in various free camps and we are very grateful of the amenities provided in WA. Some have been wonderful! Thanks WA
Vic said
08:53 PM Aug 13, 2011
Coming over the top in WA last year at one of the free camps with a long drop, a council water truck came in, I spoke to the driver who said they travel to the different long drops giving them a clean and service, from memory this was somewhere between Fitzroy Crossing and Derby, so hats off to the council in that area.
Chemists sell paper liners for public toilet seats for any who want to buy them. I do pity the ladies that have to sit on them every time irrespective of what they are doing (ie; 1 or 2) though.
Rip and Rosie said
08:41 AM Aug 19, 2011
Women don't have to sit for everything. There is a product which is becoming more widely used which allows women to stand up for No1's.
No preverse comments please fellows, but some women might like this travelling etc.
www.go-girl.com
Rosie
Beth54 said
01:32 PM Aug 19, 2011
Rip and Rosie wrote:
Women don't have to sit for everything. There is a product which is becoming more widely used which allows women to stand up for No1's.
No preverse comments please fellows, but some women might like this travelling etc.
www.go-girl.com
Rosie
A friend gave me a 'she-wee' a few years ago, as a joke.
It was similar to this Rip and Rosie. I tried to use it once before I had my porta loo. Without going into detail, let me just say it was a bit funny/awkward/messy.
jules47 said
04:13 PM Aug 19, 2011
Yep - I can just see it with your short legs Beth-especially with you being so accident prone!!
Beth54 said
04:14 PM Aug 19, 2011
jules47 wrote:
Yep - I can just see it with your short legs Beth-especially with you being so accident prone!!
Oh yes, there was a little accident...
sandsmere said
06:41 PM Aug 20, 2011
We are talking about free camp dunnies here . Doesn't cost you anything .
If you don't like them , carry a shovel and cr@p in the bush .
sue e said
08:37 AM Aug 21, 2011
I have found this thread interesting as we are thinking of doing a bit of nomadding next year when hubby retires. We looked at a slidon complete with shower/ toilet but found the cost a bit prohibitive, as well as maybe a bit cramped and so have been looking at camper trailers which obviously have no such facilities. have been wondering how the toilet problem could be solved. How do you get on for privacy with a portaloo? We are not great adventurers at this stage and had planned to use caravan parks but maybe once we figure out what we are doing we might get a bit more daring!Thanks all!
Happywanderer said
12:38 PM Aug 21, 2011
You can buy an ensuite tent that can be used for the portaloo or for showers. You could pop it up just next to your trailer tent. They are quite cheap, about 50.00 I think. Skinny and tall.
sue e said
01:25 PM Aug 21, 2011
So do you have to empty the porta loo before moving it? I did say we are newbies at this, so thanks for your patience in answering my questions!
jules47 said
05:10 PM Aug 21, 2011
They have a storage tank, and depending on the size hold anything up to about 15 litres - I believe unless an absolute emergency most people use them for No. 1 only - they have an indicator so you can tell how ful lthey are, then find a dump point - lots available all over the place.
Happywanderer said
05:28 PM Aug 21, 2011
As Jules said there are Dump Points all over the place, so you leave it till you get to the next one. As with others just No 1s. If you wake up wanting to go other, hold on and head to the nearest town if a long drop is not near you. Or use the portaloo if you have to, thats what it's for. You will find a couple of threads on here about looking after your portaloo, what mixtures you put in them. Type in Portaloo in the search at top of page.
Hi we have just travelled from Mandurah to Darwin with our van, and did a lot of free camping on the way.The toilets in the free camping sites are nothing short of disgusting!We talked to a lot of people along the way and it didn't matter which state they were from they all said all the free camping loos they came across were in the same condition.I know there are a lot of GN's and holiday makers touring our country and not everyone has there own loo (us inc) and the "long drop" loos just can't cope!So,whats to be done,are we greatful that the relevant shires have put in the loos,do they infact know the condition of them,if so what should they do?Surley they must be a health hazard.
What are your thoughts on this topic!
http://www.nomadsnotes.com/AP.aspx?ID=551&EID=10594211
Found the same thing Bushy, only one thing for it.............get a porta loo for yourself.
Only safe way
I don't know how they can fix it as they are organic long drops and everything just composts down below. What annoys me is there will be a handbasin in there but no water coming out of it.
Also at one I stayed at there were signs Wheelchair friendly and there was no way any wheelchair was going to get up that loose gravel to get to the concrete above.
I always take my own paper as half time there never any ....
Not sure if they can fix smell ...
We have got a porta loo Ma but it's still in it's box! Our dilemma is,what do we do with it after we have used it and want to move on.Maybe we can strap it to the tool box on the back!! lol!
http://www.nomadsnotes.com/AP.aspx?ID=551&EID=10594211
I carry mine in the back of the car. Not ideal, but nowhere else for it to go.
You could dig a hole and bury it, as in the old days. I grew up with the thunderbox in the backyard and most of the time it was Mum who emptied it as Dad was a travelling salesman.
As for the freecamp loos, I must have been lucky on my recent trip, as I found they were mostly passable. Didn't come across any long drops, but a few other non flushing types. I always carry antibacterial hand wipes. And I also carry Glen 20 wipes for my own loo, but I guess it could be used on the public ones too.
What ever happened to being grateful for what you've got?
We don't expect to have ANY amenities in free camps so we updated our van to include shower and toilet. That's why it's FREE, nothing to pay for so nothing to be had.
Agree Gordon.
I haven't seen anyone on here saying otherwise. I'm sure the others are as grateful as I am whenever I come across one and busting.
So that I don't have anybody offside here I better explain more fully where I'm coming from.
We don't necessarily free camp in designated free camps as per Camps 6 - although we do a lot of the time, just depends on where we are, hence why we don't expect to have any amenities.
I do agree with Gordon in the respect that if you want all the toilets and showers etc., then that is what van parks are for and subsequently you pay for that priviledge.
There are always going to be people who expect everything for nothing and do take it for granted that they should be provided free of charge. Very few of this forum would fit that mould though I would think.
Places like Kumbia Marj are few and far between and when you get right out into the outback there is absolutely nothing so here is where your own porta loo or your van with shower and toilet comes in handy.
Quite often when we do free camp where there are toilets, be they clean or otherwise, I still prefer to use my own amenities. As for busting Marj...........boy can I identify with that one..........
..........must be age catching up............nah, age is an attitude not a condition, only someone forgot to tell my body.............
Not having a go hw...but what is written below is clearly (to me)questioning whether they should be grateful.
"So,whats to be done,are we greatful that the relevant shires have put in the loos,do they infact know the condition of them...
What are your thoughts on this topic!"
My thoughts were asked...and so I gave them.
Yep, I'm grateful, but I do think if the council has put in public toilets of any kind, it's their responsibility to make sure someone is cleaning them.
As for toilets at free camps, it's a bonus. And if there's showers, double bonus. When I go camping, I expect to have to BYO everything, unless I'm in a paid CP.
And Ma, I've done those outback camps too. Just find a good spot near some shady trees and you're set!
Ma, Kumbia is a place I would call having all the comforts of home, you are so right, not many like that around.
Just one take on the subject, for what it is worth.
Used to use Ash from the Combustion Stove in the Long-drop when living on acreage years ago. When I was a child, and there were no such things as Flush Toilets in most homes, people used to have a Sawdust Bin beside the seat.
Never had problems with flies or smell in those days.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Yep, sawdust bin and newspaper most of the time. Ouch!
Just reminiscing.............
Ross
Chemists sell paper liners for public toilet seats for any who want to buy them. I do pity the ladies that have to sit on them every time irrespective of what they are doing (ie; 1 or 2) though.
No preverse comments please fellows, but some women might like this travelling etc.
www.go-girl.com
Rosie
A friend gave me a 'she-wee' a few years ago, as a joke.
It was similar to this Rip and Rosie. I tried to use it once before I had my porta loo. Without going into detail, let me just say it was a bit funny/awkward/messy.
Yep - I can just see it with your short legs Beth-especially with you being so accident prone!!
Oh yes, there was a little accident...
We are talking about free camp dunnies here . Doesn't cost you anything .
If you don't like them , carry a shovel and cr@p in the bush .
You will find a couple of threads on here about looking after your portaloo, what mixtures you put in them. Type in Portaloo in the search at top of page.