camping etiquette

Yes we learnt our lesson regarding arriving late. A series of mishaps on the journey - we probably should have turned back and cancelled the trip. It was a disaster from start to the very finish (double puncture 2 kms from home)

Hey, Dodger, what an excellent reply, covered the lot. Hope to share a campsite somewhwere one day. cheers...oldbaz.

We certainly did feel rejected. Drove around in the dark and found a secondary camping area with some marked out sites. This too was pretty full. We found an empty site, backed in and did a "quick camp" set-up(3-4 minutes). The people camped next to us took one look at us - didn't say hi, grabbed their tiny 2 man dome tent - ripped it out of the ground and moved it to the other side of their car. Made us feel like lepers! The only one who didn't mind sharing was the jolly great spider in the long drop toilet!!!

Sand Man, this reminds me! It has never failed to surprise me that people would arrive into the desert country at about 4:30 pm and demand shade tree, now I'm talking winter time here, I am also talking one night stands, you know, leaving at 8:30 am next morning, don't worry about seeing anything in town or area. It further amazes me that people don't 'make their own shade' - it's not that difficult. And, Sand Man, I intend to camp under a tree at Innamincka - it's the fifteenth tree from the middle of the area but to the right of that one on the left. Don't camp there and don't even come near there - and don't let Gone Bush either.

If my memory serves me correctly, last time I was at Innamincka I took a leak under that tree.


More importantly:

Help, everybody!!

I'm being stalked !!

I'm going to hire a security firm to come with me for protection.

Hi there Ruth,

My memory of the Town Common at Innamincka is somewhat vague.
We had a look during one of our excursions into "town" but wouldn't normally camp there. I seem to recall high trees scattered along the bank of the Cooper at the Common.

We actually preferred Cullyamurra Waterhole for more secluded camping.

The National Gathering is a different thing however and we will join the mob at the Common, for a few days camping.

Actually, we may have to visit Cullyamurra. One of the competitions being mooted about, was a prize for the largest yabbie and I know just where they live and breed:-))

Bill.

Or play your Banjo LOL

Jim.

That's not going to work for me, Gone Bush, be warned! Be careful where you camp at Innamincka - be very careful.

It wasn't the ranger who gave us short shrift - it was another camper. No showers or facilities at this national park- just the long drop toilet(unisex).No showers, no bins, no power. No way of checking out how many camped there until we arrived.

Yes Doc - I was aware the other campers told you that - I thought it interesting when we have gone to campsites (with amenities) and see the "FULL" signs displayed, when there was ample spare real estate for more tents. So last time this happened, we queried the Ranger and received the above explanation. I thought others might like to know, even though it doesn't really relate to your experience.
All the best.

Had exactly that happen to me some years ago in the Wonnangatta Valley, back before it became the most populated spot in the VHC. Found a nice spot, set up our camp, then went down to the river for some water and a dip. Came back to find another 4WD, trailer with two small motor bikes and at least 4 kids, wife etc... I couln't actually squeeze in between the front of where my car was parked and his tent!

In this situation I just packed up and found somewhere else. As we were driving out, this guy came up and asked"..I hope we wer not the reason you are moving...?" My reply, "...if I wanted to camp like this, I would have gone to the Angelsea Caravan Park..." I'm a very affable chap and will have a chat to anyone, but this just got right up my nose. There was at least 25km of beautiful valley to camp in.

Is this sort of behavious arrogant? ....Rude? or do these people just lack any sort of understanding of others?

Cheers,

Mark

Yeah, I don't understand this behaviour either. My wife and I while camping once had a group of people start setting up large communal tarps etc. This was ok as it was a large area and we didn't expect to get it to ourselves. But after going for a walk we returned to find more people had arrived and tents set up everywhere around us. We were on the edge of the track and the only space was our tent and car. There was nowhere beside our tent to 'live' and they had claimed all the fireplaces. We packed up and left and they thought it was funny.

It doesn't only happen when camping. Often when at the beach I get out of the water to find someone else laying their towels out right beside mine on an empty beach. Or come back from the supermarket to a virtually empty carpark to find another car parked close enough to mine to make it hard to open the doors. I just wonder 'WTF?'

I've often wondered whether it is a a security thing (or insecurity).

regards

Brian

We need to be tolerant when camping (or just living for that matter). Generators when used responsibly are fine. You don't like them - fine. Talk (civilly) to the people and most times you will sort it out. I always feel frustrated at posts where people are criticised for their choices. Live and let live - please!(PS I use solar and have a generator for back up!)

Steve & Paula

TOLERANCE ?????????

Oh of course.............heaven forbid that I should drive for hours, set up camp in a quiet location
( not a rowdy communal camping area ) so as enjoy the surroundings, to be amused by the antics of the wildlife and be impressed by the clear skies, without being tolerant of someone, who comes in after me, dragging half an ARB or TJM store with them because they can't survive for two days without power points, fridges, T.V.s and enough lighting to make their campsite look like downtown Sydney.

Ooops.......but there I go again, I've forgotten the state of todays world - it's changed now, every body else has rights but not me.

My apologies if you thought my generator comment was a reflection on your choice of owning one. My attitude is based on the, too many I have encountered, exercising their " presumed " right to use one, regardless of those in their proximity or the suitability of the location.

Also, I thought the thread was about etiquette not hospitality. That being the case - If I'm second into a smaller, remote campsite, it's up to ME to be CONSIDERATE of those all ready there.

Perhaps this post makes the point better than I did originally!!! "It's all about me!" Like the hippies said - "Peace man!"

Sounds like the same person is still camping there- it was Millstream that we went to last week and got turfed out of.