Glen Helen Gorge Northern Territory

132 km west of Alice Springs in the MacDonnell Ranges you will find Glen Helen Gorge. 
Glen Helen Gorge is one of six permanent waterholes along the Finke River and is a beautiful
spot for swimming and camping.
The Glen Helen Resort provide accommodation, camping facilities and meals.
The Finke River cuts through the gap in the MacDonnell Ranges on towards the Simpson Desert.
The best time to visit Glen Helen Gorge and surrounding areas is from April to September.
Walkers must register with the nearest ranger station before setting off on any major walk in this and other nearby gorges.
Most of the waterholes are extremely cold and will provide a very refreshing swim.

Glen Helen is also an important refuge for a number of rare plant species and home to a special species of Central Australian fish.

Portable Generator/Invertor

A portable fuel powered electricity generator can be a useful item, if you are going to be away from a source of electricity.

 Be aware that caravan parks, and some National Parks and other areas do not allow generators to be used. Also, always be aware and considerate of other campers in the area. A rumbling generator may not be their idea of a back to nature experience. 

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REALLY quiet. The engine drives basically just an alternator and produces about 12V, though it varries. When there is a small load on the generator (typical of most camping / outdoor uses) it slows down the engine. This not only makes it quiet, it cuts back on fumes, and saves gas. A tank filling can last half a day easily depending on demand

Camping Hints for newcomers

Camping as a recreational activity became popular in the early 20th century. Campers frequent National Parks, Conservation Park, Nature Parks, and privately owned campgrounds, all over the world.

Camping is a key part of the program of many youth organizations around the world, such as Scouting, Guides, and Boys and Girls Brigades.  It is used to teach self-reliance and team work.

Camping is also used as a cheap form of accommodation for people attending large open air events such as sporting meetings, caravan rallies, holidays and just for a  weekend away. Organizers often provide a field and other basic amenities.

Just getting started with all your camping gear takes a bit of planning, depending on your situation and how many people will be going with you in the group.

Do not overload your vehicles with items not necessary.  If you are going to camp near a town with shops etc, support that town and buy your food supplies from them.  This helps keep those small towns going and helps their community.

These Coleman chairs with table help save space
because of the table attached.
You only need to take another smaller table for
general getting meals ready and use the table on 
your chair when having your meal or sitting beside 
the camp fire.

Lake Eyre National Park. South Australia

Lake Eyre is Australia's largest salt lake. 

 Lake Eyre covers over 8000sq km and is the largest salt pan in the world. 

Until 2010 the previous 100 years the lake had only  a significant amount of water in it about six times.  Weather conditions in Queensland and New South Wales caused the Cooper River to flood and water came into Lake Eyre two years in a row. Most unusual but most rewarding to the countryside. The wildflowers and spinifix reformed the area for hundred of km's.

Lake Eyre South, just off the Oodnadatta Track, 90km west of Marree is the easiest access.  

A 4WD track via Muloorina homestead and another south of William Creek lead to the lake.

Can you see our camper ?

Muloorina homestead ( gravel road out of Marree)  have provided a great camping area for travellers with artesian bore water flowing into two main water holes.  In summer the area is like a oasis and swimming is enjoyed by all that travel to the area.

The Muloorina homestead only charge a very small camp fee.

 Campers have to be self sufficient but there are toilets provided. 

 The nearest shop is at Marree.

When going through Marree - the roadhouse has the BEST bread- yummy- made the old fashion way and you have to order to make sure you obtain some.

To be self sufficient a good gas stove is the way to go. 

 Camp fires are not recommended during the dry season.

Alpine National Park. Victoria. Australia

Alpine National Park is Victoria's biggest park and one of Australia's finest.

Alpine National Park has rugged mountains, remote snowfields, beautiful  rivers, open plains and deep gorges which open out to reveal green valleys.

The alpine region is ever-changing: snow covers the upper reaches for most of winter, while summer brings heat to both the lower reaches and the mountain tops.  The weather can change from extreme heat to freezing temperatures very quickly.  Snow is not uncommon during the summer months.

The Crimson Rosella is found in and around the tall trees in the eucalypt forests and woodlands of the park.

Other bird life that visit the park include the noisy gang-gang cockatoo, rosellas and long-beaked wattelbirds.

The park extends across the Great Dividing Range from Mansfield through to the border with New South Wales.

Best time to visit the park is all year round. 

Skiing in the winter, swimming, walking, 4WD, cycling, horse  riding, canoeing, nature study, photography, and historical interests.

Visitors to the park can access to the beautiful Bindaree Falls from Mount Stirling Circuit Road which winds through sub-alpine and alpine forests.

Hiking at Falls Creek on many of the accessible walking tracks when the snow melts is very popular with campers and visitors.
There are approximately 7 to 8 camp sites  throughout the park.
On Cowombat Flat one of the popular walks there is  a wreckage of a DC-3 aircraft that crashed in 1954.
I have only given you a very short description of this beautiful park.
Alpine National Park covers about 646.00 ha.

TASMANIA

Visitors can fly to Tasmania directly from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide. If coming from Western Australia a slight diversion to a eastern states capital city is normally required.
Flights are appoximately one hour to cross the Bass Strait from Melbourne to Hobart and Launceston.
The "Spirit of Australia" boat sails from Melbourne to Devonport on an overnight trip taking all vehicles and equipment aboard. We took the "Spirit of Australia" and it was very enjoyable small cruise. The staff on board we found to be very helpful with any query or question we had about Tasmania. We took our own camping vehicle and toured Tasmania for 4 weeks.
Visitors can take their own vehicles or hire to drive around the state of Tasmania. There are car and campervan hire firms in all major centres. Local transport is available around  the major cities and to / from the airport.
Visitors can book their travel and accomodation through Discover Australia when they decided what time of the year they prefer to travel.

National Parks, Conservation Parks, Heritage Parks have very good camping grounds for tents, caravans, mobile homes and RV's.

Tasmania had a mild climate with four seasons. The average temperature in summer (December to February) around 21 deg C. In winter ( June to August) around 12 deg C.  Spring and Autumn are very pleasant with an average temperature in the mid- teens.