Camping, Aussie style

The day after passing my instructor rating flight test, four MAF families had decided to go camping together. I was asked by two of them, independently, if I would like to tag along. I had been thinking of taking my tent somewhere for an overnight camp just to have a bit of a break, so figured it would be a good opportunity to join in and do something a bit different.

We drove about 3 1/4 hours north of Mareeba towards Cooktown and stayed at a place called Home Rule. Friday was all about getting there and setting up camp. Saturday I joined in with a soccer game with some of the boys and went for a walk up to the waterfall. Sunday we packed up and drove back home.

It was interesting seeing the elaborate gear that people have in their camper trailers! My family's camping experience growing up was a play tepee we would put up in the back yard every now and then. A couple of times my brother and I said we wanted to sleep in it at night, but every time we chickened out and went back inside. In my teenage years I started going on camps and tramping trips with Air Training Corps. Most recently, I've focused on tramping and so the gear I've bought has reflected that in terms of weight. I brought my Macpac tent (weighing 2.3 kg) and a self-inflating mattress (weighing 0.65 kg) over to Australia with me. A real contrast to the canvas homes-away-from-home that everyone else had!

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, but I felt a bit odd being there (and having so many little kids around got on my nerves after a while). So next time I think I will opt to go by myself, somewhere a little closer to home. I am thankful that I was invited though, and made to feel like part of the family.

Chillaxing at the campsite

Waterfall