Selecting the right sleeping bag for YOU!

Selecting the right sleeping bag depends on your destination, time of year, likelihood of moisture, whether you are hiking or travelling by car. Luckily for us sleeping bags come with different temperature ratings, many features and add-ons. They come in different shapes, sizes and thankfully in a wide array of prices to suit all budgets. So let’s have a look at some of the different things to consider before purchasing.

Temperature Ratings
Even in the summer, nights can get cold, especially in the mountains. Make sure your sleeping bag is made for the correct night temperature. A sleeping bag with a rating of 5 degrees Celsius should keep you warm when the mercury gets to 5 degrees. I do say 'should' loosely. Use ratings as a guide only. If you camp in winter and night temps get down as low as 2 degrees, you will need at least a zero (0) degree sleeping bag; maybe even a minus 5 or 10. I feel the cold, so I have a minus 15 degree bag for zero (0) degree temperatures. I use the same bag in summer, but I simply unzip it and use it as a doona vs get inside it. If you only use a sheet in summer, you may be fine with a zero (0) degree bag as you sleep hot. Please remember that sleeping bags are designed to keep you warm by insulating you, so zipping it up when it's cold is vital.


Add-ons
If you won’t be camping in the cold very often, a sleeping bag liner may add the extra warmth needed on occasional cold nights. That way you won’t cook on those warmer nights or need different rated bags for different seasons. A bag liner can add up to 25 degrees more warmth. Using a sleeping bag liner will also help keep your sleeping bag dirt and sweat free.


Sleeping Bag Fillings
Sleeping bags come in either synthetic or down fillings. Both have their advantages and disadvantages and your choice would depend on what type of camping you do and when.

Synthetics filled
Advantages:

• Less expensive than same rated down filled versions
• Easy to wash and dries quickly
• Handles moisture better and will still keep you warm if the outside of bag gets damp
• Hypoallergenic

Disadvantages:

• Bulkier and heavier
• Not as long lasting as down
• If the bag is stitched from the outside it can create weak points and allow cold in

Down filled
Advantages:

• Lighter and compresses much better
• Longer lasting than any synthetic bag when cared for properly
• Warmer than their synthetic counterpart

Disadvantages:

• A little more expensive
• No insulation once wet
• Takes a long time to dry properly once wet
• More difficult to care for
• Not hypoallergenic

Shapes
Sleeping bags come in 3 basic shapes – mummy, semi rectangular and rectangular, either hooded or unhooded. The reason for the narrower leg to feet area is they warm up faster. They also take up less pack space. They are highly recommended if you are camping in very cold elevated regions. Most Australian family campers will find a rectangular bag more than satisfactory. Rectangular bags give you more wiggle room and allow you space to place your clothing inside your bag with you. This way your clothes are handy if you need them during the night. They will be dry and warm in the morning.

Some bags come with hoods because heat escapes from the feet and head first.  These will help you stay warm on cold nights.  Pro Tip:  Leaving your beanie on whilst sleeping or using a hooded sleeping bag will help keep you extra warm through the night.

Sizes

Bags come in all sizes from junior to jumbo and king and queen singles. There are also singles that zip together if you need to make a duo.

Bags that unzip right out are always my preference because they can be used as a light blanket in summer, wrapped around you if you are cold whilst sitting around the campfire or as a spare blanket if you have guests. Sadly, sleeping with another is actually not the best way to stay warm at winter camping. Sleeping bags work best when they fit to your body reasonably well. The less opportunity for air pockets the better.


Additional tips: Please remember that what you wear prior to going to bed is what will maintain your healthy body temperature. Keeping a hat or a beanie on your head and socks and shoes on your feet whilst sitting around the campfire will help a lot. When you get into your sleeping bag you will actually warm up faster and stay warmer if you are wearing less clothing vs more. Maybe just your underwear. Try to avoid sleeping in cotton and try not to get into your sleeping bag with cold or damp clothing on.


Important Note: Sleeping bag ratings assume that you are sleeping on a rated sleeping pad of some form. This will further aid in keeping you warm.

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.

Camp Kitchen

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

http://www.cobb-and-co-nine-mile-camping-grounds.com/