camping books

Submitted: Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 10:45
ThreadID: 84446 Views:2364 Replies:7 FollowUps:19
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hi folks!
new to aus.camping!
which books?
anyone comment on these 2 books
CAMPS AUSTRALIAWIDE6..........$79.95 +PP
CAMPING AROUND AUSTRALIA (NEW PUBLICATION)
available on exploreoz website!
ta!
al
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Reply By: Member - Jo Q (NSW) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:39

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:39
Dear Al,

I have both books - although Camps Wide 5. I personally prefer the Camps Wide series & have used mine plenty of times. I guess it is because it is in an easy to read format and one that I am now used to.

I guess it is personal preference as both books are great?

Happy travels!
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:02

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:02
hey thanks for taking the time!
al
all tips noted
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:12

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:12
any comments on using a laptop on travels?

and or should i buy/use a gps nav.
thanks
al
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:15

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:15
Ive got a camps 4 I dont use



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Follow Up By: al b1 - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 17:58

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 17:58
thanks for that!
happy travellin
al
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 18:16

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 18:16
You missed that one Im not allowed to ask if you want it

As for a laptop we had a netbook with our music on it and also the photos and used it for net access

Unless you are going off road a Tom Tom would be good.

Lots of places there is only one road anyway LOL





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Follow Up By: al b1 - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:25

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:25
oooooops!
did you mean i can have it!
if so
send to
al boddy
36.garden rd
dawesville
w.a.6211
i just luv those KIWIS
dont you?????????????????????
:_))))))))))))))))))))
al
i`l be there for a while
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 16:50

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 16:50
Email me at the address in my profile.


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Follow Up By: cate a - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 05:33

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 05:33
re your question about about a computer,
A laptop or a netbook would be ok,
we were going to get a netbook because of the size and cheapness, but found a 15' laptop for $550, it seems fine so far, Though Netbooks are only 10' which is nice and portable.
Just make sure you don't get dust or moisture in it or leave it in the sun.
For internet you need Next G from Telstra if you are going away from towns, so the Ultimate modem is a mobile modem that stick into your USB port,
Make sure you get one with an aerial port if you are going to be in remote areas.
Then you need to think about power, if you are not staying at powered sites you can get a car charger to charge up the battery, it does take a long time, or just charge when you are in town.

An alternative is internet cafe's, you can take your own laptop or use theres.
They are not everywhere though, touristy places generally have them, even in coffee shops, sometime for free with WiFi if you buy a coffee.
You can go to Backpackers and pay a small fee by the hour, or you can go to local libraries which are generally cheaper but check if you need to book time,
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Reply By: Member - troy s (WA) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:48

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:48
We also use both, older editions, but same story.
I found Camps Australia better for us, although the camping around Australia tends to fill in a lo of the gaps, mainly more national park camps.
I reckon get both, and even whatever else is available, they all have great info, and for what the travelling will cost ya, a few extra books of info is well worth the extra cost too
Cheers
Troy
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Follow Up By: Jeffie - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 13:10

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 13:10
Yep, CAW by far the best- almost everyone on the road has a copy so its easy to give and receive advice from others regarding the best camps to stay at.
The $79.95 one includes Camps Snaps but there are other cheaper versions which are smaller in size and easier to handle, although we have the larger one and find it OK.


Jeff.
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:06

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:06
hey jeff
thanks for your reply!
i`m on a pensioners budget so one book will have to do!
your inputs very much appreciated!
al
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:09

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 14:09
thanks as well troy!
happy campin
al
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Reply By: ben_gv3 - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 15:03

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 15:03
I'm going to go against the trend here and suggest state specific books.

As you are new to camping will you be mainly based in the one state of Aus or travelling around the entire country?

If staying mainly in one state, a state-based camping book will have more details, eg park information, sightseeing spots etc. My NSW guide I've bought has a lot more information detailed info then an Australia-wide camping book in the NSW section.
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:26

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:26
thanks al
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 21:10

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 21:10
I tend to agree ben. While these big glossy books give a general overview of the country, if you want to get off the well worn track to see the real Australia then more local books, maps & guides are what's needed. For example if you want to include Cape York in your travels, while I'm sure the key features are included in the Australia Wide book really it's a waste of money as you're better off getting the full story in Ron Moon's guide.
I use sites like ExOz to get the general info when planning then, area specific books for the key destinations & fill in the gaps with local tourist information or from Parks offices while on the way. I find so often the best detinations are not even in the guide books but found by word of mouth from the local pub or van park.
Cheers Craig..............
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Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 18:29

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 18:29
Hi Al,
Camps Australia Wide is referred to as the travelers bible amongst those who travel regularly.

I use the spiral bound edition as it contains pictures of the campsites.
I never leave home without it and often use it to find picinic spot wiyhin a days drive of home. These are camp spots but we go there for a recky to see what it is like.

You do not say whether you are new to Aus or new to camping but apparently new to both. If this is the case I would recommend you stay with the settled areas for your first trips as the more remote locations can be dangerous unless well experienced and prepared.

Good luck with you travels, Bruce.


At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: al b1 - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:23

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:23
thanks
i wont be doing anythingOUT OF THE WAY!
to start with!
al
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Reply By: Member - Barry P (VIC) - Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 18:42

Friday, Feb 18, 2011 at 18:42
another good book to get is camping in australia by cathy savage and craig lewis lots of good camping in out of the way spots ;some of which are not in the camps books bye barry
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:27

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:27
ta!
al
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Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 00:22

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 00:22
Hi Al

If getting one book, I would go for Camps Aust Wide 6. Most of the time we find somewhere suitable for overnight ourselves, but if we don't, no panic; we refer to the Camps book, and sometimes find a nice place a few kilometres away from the road and have it all to ourselves, when we have passed roadside rest areas packed out with motorhomes and caravans right next to the highway where we wouldn't stop in a fit. When you are out in the open it is usually easy to find an old gravel pit of a track into the bush. It travels where there are lots of towns, the book is very useful. Because campsites can be closed, keep a watch on the CAW website for updates.

I travel with a laptop, mainly to download and back up my photos, but also use it to communicate with family and friends, conduct banking and business as well as research out trip. Just over three weeks would be the longest we have been out of Next G range. I rarely use the mobile phone now; even ordering spare parts if needed by email. We did need the satellite phone last trip to order parts after a breakdown, and to follow up when they we mis-directed by the Courier and we had to get a second consignment sent; these things usually happen when you are in a remote area.

If you are travelling on normal routes, you will not need a GPS, but you may like to use a one with navigator function to plot a route and tell you where to go through cities. If you are going remote, a GPS is another safety device that makes travel easier. Some also have points of interest highlighted.

Motherhen
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:21

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:21
thanks for that!
a mass of very useful information!!

al
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Follow Up By: al b1 - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:29

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 13:29
i never knew of CAW website
i guess it would be www.caw.com.au????????????????
i`m learning quickly
al
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 14:46

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 14:46
No Al, it is www. campsaustraliawide.com

Mh
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Follow Up By: Witi Repartee - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 19:59

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 19:59
If you use a GPS...make sure you know how to enter coordinates into it. Occasionally you will be in totally unfamiliar territory and may find the directions in CAW a bit difficult to follow especially if you are heading down side roads etc and the camp site is obscured or hard to see. Most campsites now have the coordinates and it makes finding them a breeze. Happy travelling.
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Reply By: Member - Barry P (VIC) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 20:19

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 20:19
if using a gps in conjunction with rooftop maps for the vic high country and the utm system make sure that enter the map datum wgs 84 into the gps otherwise you could be a few hundred metres out bye barry
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