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.

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.

Lots of things to do at Wivenhoe Dam, SE Qld.

I spent a few days of the holidays in the beautiful Brisbane Valley and took the opportunity to revisit Wivenhoe Dam.  They call it Lake Wivenhoe these days.  I’m not sure what the difference is between a lake and a dam but it has always been Wivenhoe Dam since I was a girl.  Please forgive me if I continue to refer to it as such.

Wivenhoe Dam is located approximately 45 minute’s drive north-west of Brisbane. Not only does it have great recreational facilities, water activities and fabulous camping; it’s a critical part of the South East Queensland’s bulk drinking water supply.  It is definitely worth a day trip at a minimum. If you get a chance, pop into the information centre and find out all about the dam and its construction.  I highly recommend you make some time to visit the viewing platform and see the spillway from that angle and then take a quick drive to the other side where you’ll find the Spillway Common. This will give you a totally different perspective on it.

There are several fabulous day use areas.  They are situated at Hamon Cove, Logan Inlet, O’Sheas Crossing and the Spillway Common.  All day use areas have toilets, picnic tables, shelters and free BBQ’s.   Logan Inlet and Cormorant Bay have playgrounds.  All areas are open 7 days a week from 6am – 6pm. Truly perfect for a Sunday picnic and cooling swim.

Also a great spot for a bit of fishing or put in some red claw pots.  Have a sail, kayak, canoe, paddle board or swim.  You will need a boat permit if you want to launch a registered/trailered boat and a fishing permit if you want to drop a line into Wivenhoe Dam. There are two boat ramps.  One at Hamon Cove and one at Logan Inlet, as well as a couple of kayak launch points at O’Sheas Crossing and Atkinson’s Crossing.  Unfortunately, water skiing, jet skiing, wake-boarding and tubing are not permitted but you can enjoy these activities nearby at Lake Atkinson and Lake Somerset which also have fantastic day use areas i.e. toilets, picnic tables, shelters, free BBQ’s.

Boats on Wivenhoe….

• All vessels are not to exceed 6 knots.
• All fuel powered vessels must only use low emission outboards/engines, (4 strokes or fuel injected 2 strokes)

If you wish to camp for a couple of days, there are two campgrounds to choose from.  They are both privately operated so you need to contact them for bookings, not SEQ Water. Captain Logan Camp and Lumley Hill Campground are both suitable for caravan, camper trailer or tent but when booking ask manager for recommendation on site to suit your setup.  Some sites are steep and vary in usable camping area; depending on the fall of the land.  Lumley Hill is the only one that has a couple of powered and slabbed sites.  If you are tent camping you will be delighted by the ease of access to tap water.  Pretty much a tap between every two campsites.  You can have a campfire but they must be lit in the wood BBQ areas that are provided.  Fines do apply if you light a randomly placed campfire. Both campgrounds have showers but they are now coin operated.  $1 per 3 minutes.   Cost $25 (peak) & $20 (low) p/night for 1-2 persons for unpowered tent site. It is an extra $8 p/additional person.  Under 5’s are free.  These are busy campgrounds, especially in peak season.  I would strongly recommend booking, not just turning up.

The most special thing about camping at Wivenhoe Dam is the beautiful views of the dam from each and every campsite.  There is heaps of bird life and kangaroos to watch. Sunset and sunrise are peak hour for wildlife as they all head down for a drink.  You can swim and kayak safely without worrying about ski boats and jet skis.  I think this is what makes these campgrounds super family friendly spots. Oh… and trees… lots and lots of trees.

Sad but necessary, domestic pets and other animals are not permitted into any of the catchment areas, lake or recreation areas at Wivenhoe Dam.

http://www.seqwater.com.au/water-supply/dam-operations/wivenhoe-dam

http://seqlakesideescapes.com.au/

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/