Hi i will be travelling solo shortly from Adelaide to Darwin, taking my time on and off road, just wanting some advice on any camping spots that might be a bit unsafe. Thanks,
Markus
Dougwe said
08:27 AM Oct 26, 2015
Welcome to the gang Markusman, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Not having travelled the way you mention yet I will leave it to others to answer your question properly. Me, If I didn't feel safe in a "Free" camp and no others were around I would move to another. That said, I haven't been in that situation yet and I stay in roadside rest areas as well as other types of camps, with others or only me, I have always felt safe.
Get a copy of Camps Australia and also Wikicamps for your poota or phone.....invaluable. Read all the comments and work from there. Make comments on Wiki as well after you have been somewhere.
Keep Safe on the roads.
Markusman said
12:00 PM Oct 26, 2015
Thanks
jules47 said
02:55 PM Oct 26, 2015
Agree with Dougwe - get a copy of the Camps Australia Wide (8 is the latest) and also Wikicamps online.
Have been travelling for many years, and full time over the last few of them. In all that time have only felt "unsafe" about three times, and left without camping. The "rule of thumb" used to be - pull into a camp, if no else is there, and no one arrives to camp by about 4pm - move on.
Up the centre there are a lot of free camps, some of my favourites are Lake Hart, a beautiful salt lake near Woomera, Spuds (you can get a shower here, roadhouse), The Pebbles, Finke River (go for a walk behind the camp down the dry river bed - huge family of camels there), Devil's Marble's (not free $3) spectacular sunsets. Some not free, but terrific are Mount Bundy Station, who have a non powered area for $11, swimming pool, showers, toilets, near Victoria River; Pussycat Flats, just before Pine Creek, old racecourse - good meal, cold drinks and fun.
Heaps of others along the way. Get the Camps book, it is the best value for money.
wasn_me said
07:52 PM Oct 26, 2015
I was camped with a few friends at B.P. dam on the weekend. The old camps book must have been dragged out about 10 times.
DarylC said
01:28 PM Oct 30, 2015
Longreach Waterhole near Elliott is a great spot. Bit of a rough track in about 10km but well worth it.
Markusman said
03:08 AM Nov 3, 2015
Thanks shall buy those books and download the app. Was going to take a dog with me but they are not allowed in national parks.
pawsoz said
05:38 PM Nov 3, 2015
For the 8 years I lived and worked in Darwin I travelled down to Melbourne and back every two years, I think I may have camped at just about every free/low fee camp! I never had a single bad experience, not once, but I did have a lot of good ones!
Panther said
06:45 PM Nov 3, 2015
Hi Pawsoz,
I was pleased to read your post. That is nice positive feedback and especially from a female solo traveller.
Thanks for sharing as it encourages me to keep brave and follow my dreams.
I travel with my Purr Baby so as previously stated, I also need to leave my van outside a national park (I plan to leave it in a C/P) with my Ranni safely inside while I do day trips into the N/P to explore.
Thanks for your comments everyone. It seems there is far more positive moments than negative ones when solo camping which is great.
Regards Panther.
pawsoz said
02:55 PM Dec 23, 2015
Hi Panther,
My usual rule is not to park up overnight where there are a lot of empty beer cans all over the place....
Be open to having a yarn with the back packers most are only to happy to learn and to share....
Be open to staying at some of the very low fee stops at the better pubs/road houses.....the old pub at Daly Waters is a must (it is off the Highway, not the one on the Highway) there is very cheap camping, including cheap power, pub food, showers/toilets, shade, walks etc and the place usually ooozes personality! Banka Banka is another good spot, again cheap....real green grass.....! Aileron Roadhouse is cheap, has power if you need it, walks, art gallery, basic supplies + truckie food and a pool you can use!
These are just a smattering...! The main thing is to ensure you take your sense of humour and adventure and leave your old uptight stressed out 'city self' at home! Listen to everyone's advice and info but never forget that it is your journey and you do what you want to do!
Oh how I miss the NT
Annie
sandsmere said
07:07 AM Dec 26, 2015
Barrow Creek Roadhouse is a great spot to stay.
$7.50 for a powered site. The place looks a bit rough and ready but it's OK.
The servo and pub buildings are very old but don't be put off by that. The public bar shouldn't be missed. You can spend an hour in there just looking around
The sh!t beef burger is a beauty.
The town hit the headlines a few years ago. It is very near to the spot Peter Falconio was last seen alive.
Panther said
08:16 PM Dec 26, 2015
Thanks Pawsoz & Sandsmere,
That is some great info and camping spots you both have shared.
Hi i will be travelling solo shortly from Adelaide to Darwin, taking my time on and off road, just wanting some advice on any camping spots that might be a bit unsafe. Thanks,
Markus
Not having travelled the way you mention yet I will leave it to others to answer your question properly. Me, If I didn't feel safe in a "Free" camp and no others were around I would move to another. That said, I haven't been in that situation yet and I stay in roadside rest areas as well as other types of camps, with others or only me, I have always felt safe.
Get a copy of Camps Australia and also Wikicamps for your poota or phone.....invaluable. Read all the comments and work from there. Make comments on Wiki as well after you have been somewhere.
Keep Safe on the roads.
Thanks
Have been travelling for many years, and full time over the last few of them. In all that time have only felt "unsafe" about three times, and left without camping. The "rule of thumb" used to be - pull into a camp, if no else is there, and no one arrives to camp by about 4pm - move on.
Up the centre there are a lot of free camps, some of my favourites are Lake Hart, a beautiful salt lake near Woomera, Spuds (you can get a shower here, roadhouse), The Pebbles, Finke River (go for a walk behind the camp down the dry river bed - huge family of camels there), Devil's Marble's (not free $3) spectacular sunsets. Some not free, but terrific are Mount Bundy Station, who have a non powered area for $11, swimming pool, showers, toilets, near Victoria River; Pussycat Flats, just before Pine Creek, old racecourse - good meal, cold drinks and fun.
Heaps of others along the way. Get the Camps book, it is the best value for money.
I was camped with a few friends at B.P. dam on the weekend. The old camps book must have been dragged out about 10 times.
Thanks shall buy those books and download the app. Was going to take a dog with me but they are not allowed in national parks.
Hi Pawsoz,
I was pleased to read your post. That is nice positive feedback and especially from a female solo traveller.
Thanks for sharing as it encourages me to keep brave and follow my dreams.
I travel with my Purr Baby so as previously stated, I also need to leave my van outside a national park (I plan to leave it in a C/P) with my Ranni safely inside while I do day trips into the N/P to explore.
Thanks for your comments everyone. It seems there is far more positive moments than negative ones when solo camping which is great.
Regards Panther.
My usual rule is not to park up overnight where there are a lot of empty beer cans all over the place....
Be open to having a yarn with the back packers most are only to happy to learn and to share....
Be open to staying at some of the very low fee stops at the better pubs/road houses.....the old pub at Daly Waters is a must (it is off the Highway, not the one on the Highway) there is very cheap camping, including cheap power, pub food, showers/toilets, shade, walks etc and the place usually ooozes personality! Banka Banka is another good spot, again cheap....real green grass.....! Aileron Roadhouse is cheap, has power if you need it, walks, art gallery, basic supplies + truckie food and a pool you can use!
These are just a smattering...! The main thing is to ensure you take your sense of humour and adventure and leave your old uptight stressed out 'city self' at home! Listen to everyone's advice and info but never forget that it is your journey and you do what you want to do!
Oh how I miss the NT
Annie
Barrow Creek Roadhouse is a great spot to stay.
$7.50 for a powered site. The place looks a bit rough and ready but it's OK.
The servo and pub buildings are very old but don't be put off by that. The public bar shouldn't be missed. You can spend an hour in there just looking around
The sh!t beef burger is a beauty.
The town hit the headlines a few years ago. It is very near to the spot Peter Falconio was last seen alive.
Thanks Pawsoz & Sandsmere,
That is some great info and camping spots you both have shared.
I'm sure others appreciate your posts too. Tar.