Monday, November 30

Cobb & Co Nine Mile Campground, Sunshine Coast, Queensland Review

Cobb & Co Nine Mile Campgrounds - just 2 hrs from Brisbane.
Cobb & Co Nine Mile Campground is approximately 2 hour’s drive from the Brisbane Tentworld camping store or just one hour from the Tentworld Sunshine Coast store
That is, if you don’t have an argument with your GPS about the best path.
  GPS says, follow the Bruce Highway north, all the way to Kybong, turn right onto Tandur Road and follow this until you turn onto Noosa Road.  Noosa Road is a good quality gravel road which takes you straight to the campground.  Only about 15 minutes off the highway.  I still stand by my thinking that turning off at Pomona and weaving through this beautiful coastal agricultural area is a far better path.  This does involve a little more gravel, a couple of beautiful creeks and cute bridge crossings and a tiny hill climb but road quality is top notch.  Least of all, I cannot possibly exaggerate the quality of the sausage rolls at the Pomona Bakery if you have time.  My advice is beware of following directions from your GPS.  They are such kill joys.



Driving from Pomona to campground


Driving from Pomona to campground

The campground entry is very well signed and also home to a camp oven big enough to cook a meal for a 100 hungry campers. You cannot miss it. From the gate your eye is treated to 50 acres of beautifully cared for bushland property. Plenty of room for a large family tent! On the far end of the property is a mighty sweet creek and a very inviting billabong. Yes, you can camp beside it. How good is that? There are a couple of small dams on the property which make ideal sites if you are seeking more privacy, away from the many families and 4wd drive groups that have already discovered this terrific gem. There are toilets, showers, camp kitchen and a huge camp kitchen/shelter for group happy hour. They do have some glamping tents, which I noted are all on skids. I assume they can be moved around as is required, so non-traditional campers can enjoy this great spot with their traditional camping family members and friends.


Front entry to the campground
 

Front entry to campground


The staff were a true delight and why wouldn’t you be when you work in a gorgeous place steeped in history. This great spot was once home to Cobb & Co horse change stables. The management has done a fabulous job of maintaining the exhibits and the nostalgia. You can see all of this at the check-in desk. Please make some time to peruse, read about some of the characters who lived in the region in times gone by and take a heap of photos.


Check-in at the Coachhouse
Once all checked in and set-up, you and the family can take a look around the animal farm, jump on your pushies, the flying fox, take a bush walk or go for a swim or canoe in the billabong.  If you want to explore, you can jump in your car and take a scenic drive of the region.  Enjoy a beer or ice-cream at Boreen Point.  Find one of the fabulous 4by tracks in the state forest or drive the many gravel rounds that weave through this lovely area.  You are less than 50 minutes to Tewantin if you fancy a beach drive or a swim on the beach at Noosa.  If you don’t mind heights and weaving your way up a steep, narrow, gravel mountain road, a drive to Cooran to James McKane Memorial Lookout is a real treat.  Or you can just sit under a tree and stare at it.  This works for me.

Anyone for a chook hug?


Perfect for children and pushbikes


Great to see the children riding all over this area and its many obstacles


Perfect for a swim or canoe


Billabong

Whatever you do… if you have children, ensure you are back in time for the afternoon horse and buggy ride or you may not be forgiven.


Afternoon horse and buggy rides

There are no powered sites at the campground but that should not bother you. You will not be short on things to do. Once you get your campfire going and get to some serious marshmallow roasting, you will want for nothing. Except, maybe some Bushman’s if you are camped near the billabong.


I might need to find more happy hour friends


Nothing beats a campfire

There are showers near the check-in area and toilets are spotted throughout the campground, so you can leave your portable toilet at home.. This campground is also pet friendly. There is absolutely nothing lacking at this magnificent family campground and you are not going to believe it, but it is only $12 per night/per adult.


Showers that may second has stables
It has been a long time since I have been this impressed with a family campground.  I can’t wait to go back.  I strongly suggest you make time to visit this spot before everyone reads this feature and it gets too crowded.


Small dam at front of the property

What a fabulous area for a small group of friends.  Plenty of room to pitch a tent!

So much room to camp.  Check out how small that Coleman Event 14 looks!

Portable glamping

Monday, November 9

5 reasons to put a tarp over your tent and a few reasons why you shouldn't.

If you head to any camp ground in Australia,  you're likely to see at least a few campers setup with their tents underneath a tarp set-up.

There are a few good reasons why putting a tarp over your tent is a good idea.

1)  Protects your tent from UV Rays.  Tents, like any material will slowly be damaged by UV rays.  When possible, it is definitely a good idea to put a tarp over your tent to protect from UV rays, therefore extending the life of your tent.

2)  Protects your tent from bird & bat droppings.  This is mostly for asthetics, but sometimes bird and bat droppings can also damage the materials on your tent depending on the acidity in their droppings.  Either way,  its not nice to have your new tent covered in droppings as it's not that easy to clean either.  Especially without damaging the water proofing agents in your tent.

3)  Reduce the chance of condensation.   Modern tents are all designed to be fully waterproof,  so placing a tarp over your tent to make it waterproof is not really necessary.  However,  all tents can be susceptible to condensation.  Putting a tarp over your tent can help reduce this risk.

4)  Keeps dew off your tent.  In humid areas there can often be a lot of dew in the mornings.  If you're planning on packing up early you might not have time for the dew to dry off your tent.

5)  Creating a covered area that incorporates your bedroom.  If you spend a lot of time in your tent during the day and want it to be nearby your kitchen.  Covering at least the entry way of your tent with your tarp setup could be a good idea.  This way if it's raining heavily you will not have to run through the rain to get to the kitchen.

TIP!  Before you go camping make sure you set your tent up and weather (soak) it to check for any leaks.  If you do find a small areas that are leaking,  address it with some seam sealer such as McNett Gear Aid Seam Grip and pack a wax stick with you to patch any small leaks you may discover.

When should you consider not using a tarp over your tent?
1)  Overnight camps -  Putting your tarp over a tent is not such a great idea when you're staying somewhere overnight.

Spending additional time to put a tarp over your tent for an overnight stay is time that could be better spent enjoying yourself, exploring the local area or just having a beer!

Reduce your setup time and maximise your relaxation time!

2)  Keep your tarp setup smaller.  Large tarp setups can be dear and the most benefit from having a tarp setup is a great place to spend outside but protected from the elements.

I hope you found this article useful.  If you're considering putting a tarp under your tent find out why I think it's a great idea here.  Visit 4 reasons why using a tarp under your tent is essential.

If you have anything else you'd like to see added to this article please let us know in the comments! Happy Camping!

Monday, November 2

Camping at Lennox Head, NSW


I headed to Lennox Head, NSW on the weekend.   Lennox is only 2 hours south of Brisbane and 1 hour from the Gold Coast. Lennox Head is surrounded by some of the most beautiful national parks and rainforests you will ever see if you ever want to explore this coastal region further.


Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head, NSW


We booked into the North Coast Holiday Park.  The park staff was both friendly and helpful.  There is a choice of cabins, tent or caravan sites.  The park is immaculate and has all the basic tourist park necessities i.e.  BBQ’s, camp kitchen, dump point.  It does lack a playground and swimming pool though and sadly, it is not pet friendly.
Lake Ainsworth in the background

North Coast Holiday Park, Lennox Heads, NSW

My favourite thing about this park is how perfectly situated it is to everything.  It is only a short walk to the main street of Lennox Head.  Ideal if you fancy brunch in one of the busy coffee shops.  The surf club is directly across the road.  I’m also told the bowls club is a great feed if you need a night away from the kitchen.  All within easy walking distance.

I didn’t see a lot of children in the park but maybe they were all at Lake Ainsworth Recreation Area, which is a tea-tree stained dunal lake right beside the holiday park.   This lovely, well grassed recreation area has barbecues, picnic tables and a couple of blocks of toilets very close by.  It is perfect for swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing.  Ideal for children as there are lots of shallow areas and no motorised water sport is allowed in this protected lagoon.

Lake Ainsworth
Lake Ainsworth
To the front of the holiday park is Seven Mile Beach which is a renowned surf beach.   It was super busy on the beach with all the little surfers having a club day and many bigger surfers enjoying some waves.
Seven Mile Beach

Seven Mile Beach
A lovely weekend was had by all and both this holiday park and region come with glowing recommendations from me.  Definitely one of my favourite spots as it is just that little bit away from the hustle and bustle of Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.