6 Tips for Choosing a Good Campsite

1. Permission - Before you set up camp anywhere, ensure you are allowed to. Best to do this before you leave home. Phone ahead and book in. Obtain relevant permits if this is relevant. Check what the rules are for camping at this location. If the rules don’t work for you; please find somewhere else. Never camp on private property without permission.
2. Safety - Select a site that will not flash-flood i.e. creek beds or close to the river’s edge. Avoid spots where there is erosion as this can be a sign that this spot experiences lots of stormwater runoff. Avoid lone trees and high ridges as they can become lightning targets. Don’t camp near dead trees or trees that have lots of fallen branches nearby; the wind could blow them down on you.
3. Size - Make sure your site is large enough to set up your tent/s or camper/van, put your out chairs, park the car and cook meals. The average 4 man tent is approx. 2.5 mtr x 2.5 mtr but needs a minimum of 1 mtr surrounding it for guy ropes, pegs and safe walking space. The average car is 5 mtr x 2 mtr. Plus another 4 mtr x 4 mtr for a couple of chairs, esky, food box and cooking space. Always check to see you and your family will have enough space. You may need a second campsite if you want to put up tarps, take the BBQ, the dog or have a second tent for the kids.
4. Terrain - Make sure your site is slightly elevated and has good drainage in case of rain. A gently sloping campsite is ideal. The perfect surface is grassy, sandy or gravelly, so that it can absorb rainfall. Please don’t build trenches around your tent to drain away water. This causes erosion. Try to select a spot that does not have sharp rocks, especially under your tent area. Select the flattest part of the campsite so that you can sleep level. Check the area carefully to ensure you are not setting up on a bull ant’s nest or under a huge wasp nest. Remember to look up, down and around.
5. Protection - Hopefully you will be able to select a campsite that catches the morning sun and gives you shade in the afternoon. Remember that Ideal head positioning when you go to bed is west. This means that the sun is not hitting you in the face in the morning. Also be aware of prevailing winds and select tarp and awning orientations to allow for this. Maybe use car and tent as a windbreak if there is no shrubbery to offer some protection from the elements.
6. Privacy - Respect the privacy of others. Trees, shrubs and the shape of the terrain can screen your camp. Try to select a campsite as far away from others as you can. This doesn’t mean that you can’t walk on over and say Hi later. Just means you will not disturb each other whilst you are getting on with the fun stuff you like to do.

Perfect campsites are rare so you might need to compromise a little on some of the items noted but near-perfect spots do still exist everywhere in Australia.

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/