ideas for toddlers on the gulf trip

There is an excellent article on this site under "on the road" called Travelling with kids. I'm sure you will find excellent tips and tricks there as I have done. As for bush craft I usually tent camp and there are many things little ones can help/hinder with putting up a tent - it may take a little longer than if you were doing it yourself but it is very rewarding! Enjoy - it is never too early to start!

Cheers

Russ

Did the same thing last May. Kids had a great time helping/hindering with the tent as suggested (3 and 1 at the time). Also found that the tinnie on the ground beside camp was a never ending source of entertainment. The Gulf (of Carpentaria I assume) has plenty of very sandy river beds. "WORLDS LARGEST SANDPIT". Bucket and a few shovels or the tonka truck was great.

We also have a prado and found at a local market a back of seat hanger with lots of little comparments that hold the odd book, toy, lego, blocks etc. The kids choose their own toys that fill this space before we leave on a trip. We purchased a portable dvd recently with two screens. The player fits easily on the centre console with the screens on the headrest. Great for the long days and at $398 worth every cent.

As for food our kids eat whatever we do so no real problem. Few roasts in the camp oven (our kids like roast veges and they are easy to keep), plenty of tinned peaches etc, pastas, BBQ sausages, lunches can be left overs or wraps (Lavash bread which keeps for weeks) with cold meat and salads. Also plenty of treats to make them enjoy being out there...lollies, chips, bikkies, etc stuff our kids don't normally get but are allowed (within reason) when camping. We figure it is only a few weeks and won't kill them.

We also bought good quality backpack carriers so we could do walks in areas like Lawn hill and Riversleigh. Croc spotting from the boat in the arvos was also an entertainer each day (would se plenty of freshies up nice and close) and trolling the odd lure would produce plenty of fish which the kids enjoy winding in. Crayfish pots are also great fun for the kids.

Hope this helps. Have a fantastic time!

Terry

Carlin

A couple of those little green lights in the tube that when you bend them they light up are good at night time to keep them busy for a while.