FATHER & SON TRIP - SEPT-OCT

Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 12, 2014 at 23:35
ThreadID: 106210 Views:2641 Replies:10 FollowUps:14
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Hi guys,

I want to take my 15 yr old son on a camping trip for two weeks from late Sept - Oct (NSW school holidays) and are asking you experienced travellers for some ideas.
We have a late 2004 Nissan Patrol 3.0L Diesel Wagon towing a POD trailer with OzTent RV4, fridge and deep cycle battery so power is not an issue for up to 3 days at a site.
Was thinking Vic High country because i love it down there but checked weather for that time and very cold 10-15*C.
We will be leaving from Oran Park ( near Narellan, NSW).
All ideas considered.

Thanks in advance.

Rob and Matthew
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Reply By: Twintrail(W.A.) - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 00:12

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 00:12
hi you left it abit late hope allone of my twins son today said he rembered when I took them fishing camping @ age four .

hiyyou left it a bit late one of my twin sons today stated he rembered camping @fishing @4 years old .hope you enjoy . ps he is now 48 years old.twntrail
















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AnswerID: 526324

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:36

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:36
Hi Twintrail, all good, my son;s first camping trip was when he was 6 months old and first night was beside the snowy river, then all over Vic high country.

Thanks
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Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 07:49

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 07:49
It could be a bit warmer starting at the Bulladelah Mountains and then go as far as you wish up north sticking to the Great Divide. Turn back when time says that's enough we have to head home.

Phil
AnswerID: 526327

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:39

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:39
Hi PJR,

Sounds good and i will look into this a bit further and is on the list.

Thanks
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Reply By: Penchy - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 08:15

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 08:15
What interests do you both share that you can use on a camping trip? High Country is a very scenic destination with some great tracks to drive. But if you're not into bushwalking or looking at trees your son might get a bit bored. And yes it will be very cool that time of year.
What's wrong with a coastal holiday, Fraser Island for example. Plenty of fishing, beach swimming, kayaking/swimming in the fresh water lakes ect.
AnswerID: 526329

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:41

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:41
Hi Penchy,

We both love camping but he has not been for a couple of years now. I agree High Country would be good but not suitable in Sept/Oct.

Thanks
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Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:44

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:44
Hi Penchy,

Fraser Island sounds great, only been there once back in 1997, bet its changed a lot.

Thanks
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FollowupID: 808590

Reply By: Ken - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 09:07

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 09:07
Hi Rob, great to hear of your plans for a trip with your son, I'm enjoying starting my grandson in the camping 'cycle'. It can be cold as others say but the main thing against this time is that all the great tracks are closed until Melb. Cup Weekend [early November]
Also winter storms cause havoc with the trees, particularly where the fires were a few years ago as the dead ones are still being knocked down making a chainsaw essential.

Ken
AnswerID: 526340

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:42

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 22:42
Hi Ken,

Yes I agree with you, not suitable time of year to go to High Country.

Thanks
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 15:20

Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 15:20
Sorry, but I disagree, Spring is a fantastic time in the High Country!

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FollowupID: 808648

Reply By: AlbyNSW - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 10:10

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 10:10
What about heading west, you could easily do a run out to Birdsville and Camerons Corner ,Inaminka etc.
It depends on his interests but that is a fascinating area
AnswerID: 526343

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 10:35

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 10:35
Second that idea. It should be getting warmer by then and would be less crowded. Plenty of places to choose from - Lake Mungo, Broken Hill and Silverton, Tibooburra, Sturt NP, home via the Darling River and so on. Easy driving some some gravel to add interest and plenty of new experiences.

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 13:48

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 13:48
or even go to the National Gathering at Trilby ;)


Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:03

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:03
Hi sir Kev & Darkie, John & Val, Alby,

I just checked out Trilby website.......wow what a great place. So now i am thinking could go spend a few days there (3-4) and then head to Lake Mungo, Broken Hill, Silverton, Tibooburra and so on.

Thanks to you all
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Reply By: mudbro2 - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 13:28

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 13:28
What about the Flinders ranges, great weather that time of year. You can free camp in Parachilna gorge or places like Wilpena Pound campground and most stations around the area have camping. There are lots of 4wd tracks to explore and great scenery. Have a great trip where ever you pick.
AnswerID: 526351

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:05

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:05
Hi mudbro2,

Great idea, have never been there before and i guess two weeks would be enough time from home.
Will add to the list.

Thanks
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Reply By: Krooznalong - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 14:22

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 14:22
So what exactly does your son enjoy - fishing, hunting, sightseeing, caving, bush walking, watching babes on the beach, surfing etc??? Some more info might produce some more targeted responses.
AnswerID: 526360

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:07

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:07
Hi Krooznalong,

My son enjoys most of those suggestions except surfing.
i guess wherever we decide to go we can do all this.

Thanks
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Reply By: Member - VickiW - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 20:39

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 20:39
Hi Robb & Matthew,

just be aware that school holidays can make some places (NSW north coast / fraser) very busy. I done that same trip Val recommends the same time of year a few times - roughly Mungo, Kinchega National Park, Silverton, Tibooburra, Innamincka, Currawinya back to Sydney (2 weeks). It can be freezing in the south and baking the northern part of the trip. So my recommendation is be prepared for a range of temperatures as being cold is something can really make a trip hard work. A fantastic trip for history, arid scenery, walks, characters and a bit of canoeing at Kinchega and Cullyamurra (Innamincka). South Coast NSW would probably also be fine this time of year - just not swimming temperature. But it is a wonderful area to explore.

If you end up in the Flinders, come & say hello to me at Arkaroola as I move there in April.
AnswerID: 526384

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:12

Thursday, Feb 13, 2014 at 23:12
Hi Vicki,

Thanks for the comprehensive details, at this stage i am leaning towards the "TRILBY" Station trip or Flinders Ranges. Google maps says approximately 1800km from home so i guess 3 days easy driving to get there, spend a week there and then head back. what is there to see/do in Flinders?

Thanks
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Reply By: Echucan Bob - Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 08:07

Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 08:07
Rob

Sounds great. I really like the idea of heading west as far as Birdsville (and out to Big Red). I've been doing trips with my son for over 20 years.

One suggestion is to see if you have a mate with a son who might join you. Some of our best trips have been with several fathers and sons. The girls have been on a few trips too and really loved it, but really roughing it for a while seems to be a male thing.

At 15 he would be interested in learning to drive. There are plenty of opportunities for that out west (although Oran Park may also have some quiet tracks for the learner too).

Bob
AnswerID: 526407

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 08:48

Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 08:48
A couple of years ago in a fairly basic WA campground we camped near a group that turned out to be a "Fathers and Daughters" weekend. Girls pre and early teens and they were loving it, had a great time. The dads all seemed happy too - cooked up a huge roast meal and had so much left over that they shared with the other campers. Great to see.

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
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Reply By: Member - VickiW - Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 20:54

Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 20:54
Hi Robb,

there is certainly a lot to see & do in the Flinders. If you stay in the Flinders Ranges Nat Park, I'd recommend camping in one of the sites along the gorges for the remote camping experience. Wilpena has good facilities if you want information, a shower & to go out to dinner! There & some of the stations around have good 4wd trips (I'm sure someone else can give more detail here) and there are flights as well. There are some good walks around Wilpena

In the northern Flinders (where I've spent more time) it is more arid, rough ranges with some wonderful permanent waterholes and lots of opportunities to see yellow footed rock wallabies. This area feels a bit more remote and I love visiting Balcanoona wandering around the old shearing shed. The drive out from there to Lake Frome is great too. The Gammon Ranges are spectacular and have some fun 4wd tracks. Nearby Arkaroola is very special (to me) with lots to do, the observatories being one of my favourites, 4wd tracks, walks, flights and facilities ranging from bush camping to motel, restaurant & pool. Interesting for history re geology.

The alternative you're looking at is great too. Either way you & your son should have a great time.
AnswerID: 526469

Follow Up By: ROBBS GONE BUSH - Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 22:42

Friday, Feb 14, 2014 at 22:42
Hi Vicky,

Thanks for the great suggestion and informative details. it will be hard to chose from so many great suggestions from my fellow campers above and yourself.

Will let you know if we are coming that way.

Regards

Rob
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