Saturday, Dec 22, 2007 at 20:07
Kim, we have set this
camp up over the last five years. Bought 160 acres for a song. (real cheap). Was virgin forest in the Pilliga
nature reserve. No fences,
services, nothing but the Newell Highway as the front
boundary, and the old gravel highway, mostly overgrown running right up the guts.
We eventually got to the stage of having two vans under cover. Both are stripped out to make sleeping rooms only, with bunks and beds. We started with a small
clearing for
camping, whilst we cleared and built the
main camp.
We now have a covered area of 12 mtrs X 9 mtrs, which feeds a 4500ltr (1000 gal)
tank. Plenty with the frequency of local rainfall. In the early days we used to cart
water in 20 ltr plastic drums from town, as needed. The vans and
camp are permanently wired, so that on arrival all we need do is to hook up the generator into the supply feed. We always keep a stock of the never ending supply of firewood, so if we arrive late, we just light the
camp fire, put a feed on and crack a tinnie.
Current "Modern amenities," are as follows.
1. Hot
water is via a beer keg storage unit over a gas burner, with fitted taps. (Should patent my design.)
2. Rainwater
tank is a poly 45000 ltr, tap feed only at this stage.
3. Power is via an 850 watt GMC generator which is enough to feed all lights, TV etc. with a similar back up generator, which I have not needed as yet, as the $100 special just keeps on keeping on. (your 2 kva would light up much of the Pilliga.) I also have a 3.5 kva which I have never needed to use, but got it with the intention of running air/cons & fridges etc.
4. Roof shelter/run-off you could do for under $2,000 if you do the construction.
5. No issues with local council, very cheap rates, but you have to be very mindful of local fire restrictions etc.
6. For the shower we now have a colourbond enclosure, timber grate floor, with the old canvas bush shower on a pulley hoist, and everyone is responsible for their own
water at shower time. Works a treat. Let me tell you shower time is a fun time of the day, whilst looking at the stars.
7. Cooking is either on gas stoves, or the
camp fire, wich burns all day.
The Loo is also a colourbond enclosure, with the old galvanised can/lid (anyone remember the dunny carters) over a long drop.
Kim, this little piece of heaven is just that. Lots of birds, roos, emus, goats, rabbits, goannas, flies Oct to Dec, minus 6c on July mornings. Best of all, no neighbours.
I know you are in Vic. but if you can get the chance to visit, give us an email.
Fred.
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