advice for camping in sth east qld in winter

Hi AAD

I found the night temperature variation in SE Queensland winter camping to be the biggest problem for comfortable sleeping.
One winter in Sundown National Park I encountered plus 5 to minus 9 degrees change over five nights, and a chilly -11 at Landcruiser Park one year.

To me, a too cold sleeping bag is as bad as a too hot sleeping bag.

I finally compromised with a +5 degree bag to use all the year round, and in winter use a queen size feather doona to control the level of heat required.
I lay a "space blanket" on the ground, followed by a 50mm foam mattress.
Then part of the doona under the sleeping bag, and the doona folded over the bag.
This can all be folded or rolled into small(ish) bundles for traveling.

I control the temperature with the doona over the bag for a comfortable nights sleep.
If there is condensation through the swag/tent, I use on old piece of polytarp over the lot.
Remember, a lot of body heat can be lost through the head.......A beanie works fine...... and thermal underwear for the body.......but not too stylish.

Double versus single.
Personal preference.

As for places to camp reasonably close to Brissy.
Gordon Country Cattle Station near Warwick
Charlie Morelands in Imbil State Forest
Landcruiser Park in Jimna
Inskip Point/Rainbow Beach
etc etc.

If your winter camping does not coincide with school holidays you will not have too many neighbors wherever you stay, as Brisbane campers don't seem to like the cold weather.

When I go it is in a tent or a roof top tent, I resently acquired a caravan, but getting back to the sleeping bag,no matter what I sleep in tent or swag I always take my swag a double one with 4" foam,then I put a -5 sleeping bag in it most of the time it is left unzipped and it lays on top of me, then I take a double doona for the unexpected cold nights, the reason my swag is a double one is that I like to be able to move around in it, hope this is of some help Bill.

thanks guys
i think ill invest in a decent winter flannelette sleeping bag, jumbo sized with hood for me, when the mrs comes we can use that as a bottom sheet and bring the quilt for top

charlie mooreland ive been recommended a few times now
guess thats a sign i really got to check it out asap

Last week I went camping for a few days at Borumba Dam and it was cold. I've found that a hot water bottle is great - and surprisingly stays warm all night (also a bonus being able to get into a warm bed). I also take along a fleece blanket that I can wrap myself in if it's extra chilly.

Just realized that I sound like I'm ninety.

Otherwise, I personally just take a quilt as I prefer it over sleeping bags. The kids have sleeping bags rated at 0 degrees, but I've just picked up a few extra hot water bottles for them and the hubby. There is nothing worse than trying to sleep when you're freezing (learnt this the hard way), so I always pack a couple of extra blankets just in case.

Hi Angry,
We're in Vic and do a lot of camping in canvas tents. The wife and I use a good quality doona and the kids have -5 sleeping bags and space blankets as a back up. Never had an issue with the doona. We are using self inflating mattresses held together in a modified doona cover and do use sheets as well as the doona. Like our comforts....

Cheers & Beers
Rob

I'm not a sleeping bag person. First thing for me is a good matresss that stops the cold coming up. Then I use a variety of layers - a blanket inside a cover (one side cotton sheet, the other flannelette), also a doona cover again sown , sheet/flanelette. So I can put on layers of covers. This might take up more room in a vehicle but I've never felt cold in bed even though the billy is frozen and ice on the tent.