Sleeping in the desert ! !

I have had the whole plurry lot.

Started with air mattresses...useless things!!

Then a variety of camp beds...yeah well, you need to find the right one. Bulku stuff

Then a double swag....sleeping closer to the snorer. Good bed buit it fell off the roofrack and is stil AWOL today. To prevent crawlies from gettin to a swag put down a large tarp under swag.

Then 100mm self inflating mattresses in an Oztent RV3....pretty good all round but bulky to carry

Now I sleep in own multifold bed on self inflating mattress in truck while missus and dog sleep in Oztent. All very comfy and very happy...LOL

Cheers

We used swags on a recent trip through the simpson & great victoria desert.

Not a problem at all.
We left the sleeping bags in them, easy to packup & roll out.

Two where basic with no insect screens, just crawl further down in them.

Two had fly screens with zips & fancy stuff, one for the wife & one for the youngest who seams to attract every mozzi around.

I would recommend one with insect screens as they are not much bigger when rolled up and does provide better protection from the insect bites while trying to get a good nights sleep. You can also ditch the sleeping bag if you get a bit hot without the worry of being eaten alive

It is horses for courses
We were mainly on a driving drip & didn't stay in one place for more than a night so setup was simple, We also had no rain so didn't even need roll out the awing from the car.
The swags also doubled as a seat when rolled up if we didn't feel like setting up to much for a quick camp.

The kids seen more shooting stars in two weeks than they have in a life time.

ric

Have slept in the car, in a tent, on a tent, on a tarp, on a rock. Have tried blow up matresses (no worries if you look after em and carry a spare).
Swags...great until it pours like b&**ery. Same with most things really.
Now getting a bit long in the tooth to get up and down at floor level.
Just remember that many camp sites have small (and not so small) rocks that you will sleep on in a tent, so get plenty under you.
Also try and scout your campsite before dusk. Sleeping on an ant hill is no fun at all :)))

Gee Tee,

July on the CSR, all I use is a sleeping bag, tarp and self inflating air bed. The stars and Milky Way should only be seen lying on you back in a swag.

I have yet to be attacked by any type of bug or insect while sleeping under the stars.

Might see you on the CSR. Permit Permitting

Wayne

Hey Gee Tee

We use an Oz Trail Kookaburra.

It's an open mozzie dome that has a wet weather fly if you want privacy or it rains this can be opened on 3 sides and an entrance cover, you don't have to use the fly.

It fits a double swag and a single for Boof head, and you can stand up in it, it rolls up to about 600mm long and 150mmx 150mm.

Looked after we've had one now for 7 years, wealso use them on our tours.

Cheers Steve.

Gee Tee,

we did the CSR last July and had a ball. Night time temps were down to 1Deg C. we were watching the weather before we went and the area had a cold snap with night temps below zero for several weeks- lucky we missed that. we just used swags with "swagbags" which is an oversize sleeping made for a swag. I was never cold once. Took all kinds of insect protection but never needed anything. i agree with the previous comment. why go all the way out there if your not going to sleep under the stars! it was a full moon while we were at Durba springs with a chorus of dingoes howling in the background- magic

Mate,

A good quality swag is indespensible, with or without a tent.

Before we spoilt ourselves with the Camper Trailer, we quite often just rolled out the swag for an overnight stop. Only put up the tent if staying more than one night in the same location.

A swag, even inside a tent just used as a matress, is still very comfortable. (At least ours are) Normally use a sleeping bag opened out as a doona to complete the bedding" and leave it inside when rolling the swag up.

geetee,
Up until recently was just a sleeping bag on a small tarp straight under the stars.
Now I have a few different arangements depending on where I go.
If I know I will be staying at a place for a week I take a 6 person tent. Eg when at the snow and am able to have a heater in it.
For under 3 days I take a 2 person tent.
If I am hiking I take a one person.
Have a thermarest to sleep on, which I have never been uncomfortable on.
Have a tarp if it is raining or need shade.
A swag for 1 nighters when driving to a destination or if it looks like no rain.
when driving to the desination it may take up to 4 days so I prefer to just get out the swag sleep and roll it up in the morn. But I love going to sleep with the stars shining. Have tried counting them but generally only get to 47

I used a swag on two Simpson crossings.
Nothing like looking at the stars overhead at night :)

I have moved from the old style swag to a dome swag because of ants etc.
If its cold I use a sleeping bag as a doona inside the swag.
I now set the swag up on a stretcher which is even more comfortable than on the ground. This stops 4 legged creatures crawling over you.
Its a bit bulky but very comfortable.

Thanks for the input.

Will go out and have a look at a couple of the outdoors places here in Darwin and check out the swags. Seems to be the way to go.

Thanks again for the input.

I ordered a Deluxe double from Mr Swagman. Will be here in a couple of days, and will post my impression of it then.