Camping is one of the best ways to unwind and connect with nature. But to enjoy your outdoor adventure, you need the right gear. Finding quality camping equipment that suits your family’s needs can be a challenge. Luckily, Australia has some excellent stores that make gearing up easy and stress-free. Two of our main the top choices are Anaconda and Snowys Outdoors. Both offer a wide range of products, great prices, and expert advice to help you prepare for your next trip. Why Choosing the Right Camping Store Matters When you’re planning a camping trip, the gear you pick can make or break the experience. You want equipment that’s reliable, easy to use, and fits your family’s style of camping. Whether you’re pitching a tent for the first time or upgrading your camping kitchen, the right store can save you time and money. Shopping at a store that specialises in outdoor gear means you get access to knowledgeable staff and a wide selection. You can compare products, ask questions, and find items that suit your budget and needs. Plus, many stores offer online shopping with fast delivery, which is perfect for busy families. Anaconda: Australia’s Outdoor Giant Anaconda is one of the biggest outdoor retailers in Australia. They have stores nationwide and a strong online presence. What makes Anaconda stand out is their huge range of camping gear, from tents and sleeping bags to portable stoves and coolers. What You Can Find at Anaconda Tents and Shelters: Anaconda stocks tents for all kinds of camping, from small two-person tents to large family models. They also offer swag tents and sun shelters. Sleeping Gear: You’ll find sleeping bags, mats, and airbeds designed for comfort and warmth. Cooking Equipment: Portable gas stoves, BBQs, and camp kitchen accessories are available to make meal prep easy. Clothing and Footwear: Outdoor clothing, hiking boots, and accessories help you stay comfortable on the trail. One product that caught our eye is the Oztent RV-3, a versatile family tent that’s easy to set up and offers plenty of space. It’s perfect for families who want a reliable shelter that can handle different weather conditions. You can check it out on Anaconda’s website here. Eye-level view of a large family tent pitched in a bushland campsite Why We Recommend Anaconda Anaconda’s strength lies in its variety and accessibility. Their stores are easy to find in most cities, and their website is user-friendly. They often have sales and bundle deals, which is great for families looking to get the best value. The staff are usually outdoor enthusiasts themselves, so they can offer practical advice. Snowys Outdoors: The Specialist’s Choice Snowys Outdoors is another top choice for camping gear in Australia. They focus solely on outdoor and camping equipment, which means their range is carefully curated for quality and performance. What Makes Snowys Outdoors Different Expertise: Snowys has been around for over 40 years, building a reputation for excellent customer service and expert knowledge. Product Range: They stock everything from tents and sleeping gear to fishing equipment and outdoor furniture. Online Shopping: Their website is packed with detailed product descriptions and reviews, helping you make informed choices. One standout product from Snowys is the Snowys Deluxe Camp Chair. It’s a sturdy, comfortable chair that folds up easily and is perfect for relaxing around the campfire. You can see more details on their site here. Why Snowys Outdoors Is Worth Considering Snowys is ideal if you want expert advice and high-quality gear. Their focus on camping means they stock trusted brands and innovative products. They also offer free shipping on many items, which is a bonus for families who prefer shopping online. Tips for Buying Camping Gear No matter where you shop, keep these tips in mind: Think About Your Trip: Are you car camping or hiking? How many people? This affects what gear you need. Check Reviews: Look for products with good feedback from other campers. Test Before You Buy: If possible, visit a store to see and feel the gear. Plan for Comfort: Good sleeping gear and chairs make a big difference. Don’t Overbuy: Start with essentials and add gear as you gain experience. Making Your Next Camping Trip Easy and Fun With the right gear from stores like Anaconda and Snowys Outdoors, your family camping trips can be smooth and enjoyable. Both stores offer quality products that suit different budgets and styles. By choosing the right equipment, you’ll spend less time worrying and more time making memories. We know how busy life can get, so having reliable gear ready to go makes planning weekends easier. Whether you pick up your gear in-store or order online, these stores help you get outdoors with confidence. Start your next adventure by exploring what Anaconda and Snowys Outdoors have to offer. Your perfect camping weekend is just a few clicks or a short drive away. This post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice.

Hinchinbrook Island National Park truly is a jewel of Northern Queensland, with the 32 kilometre Thorsborne Trail one of the most sought-after overnight hikes in Australia. The island is totally uninhabited by humans, and the only manmade structures we saw were docks, signs, and pit toilets. This hike was logistically the most challenging (and most expensive) trek I've done in quite a while. To get to Hinchinbrook Island, we flew into Townsville (2 hours), took a shuttle to Lucinda (2 hours), stayed overnight, then took a ferry around to the hike's starting point. If you're interested in completing the trek, you can find more information at the bottom of the post. Day 1 - 6.5km to Little Ramsay Bay We spent the night before the hike at the Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park, a newly-renovated park with great facilities. We made sure to pack our backpacks the night before, discarding extra items to try cut down on weight, but those starting packs are always heavy! We boarded a small boat with one other person, a solo hiker who left us in the dust as soon as we landed. Our first view of the island was stunning. For the entire ferry ride, we felt a bit like we were headed to Jurassic Park! The ocean wasn't too rough, but it was a long ride. We eventually turned off into a mangrove swamp (we sadly did not spot any dugongs). It was surprising to see a manmade dock after so long looking at pure wilderness. We were immediately attacked by sandflies and it started raining... Not an auspicious start. The hike begins! Thankfully the skies cleared shortly afterward and we left the sandflies behind as we started hiking. Our first beach walk beckoned, and the skies cleared. We got to the turnoff for Nina Peak. I really didn't want to hike up to this lookout because it was HOT and I was already tired. I'm glad I did, but I forgot my wide angle lens! Then back down it was, to collect our big packs and continue along to the next beach! The theme of this trail was UP and then DOWN and then UP... you get the idea. We took a lunch break at a lovely beachside spot in Nina Bay. Here we found our first pit toilet, and a campground for people with a bit more time on the trail. It was an idyllic spot, but no swimming in the ocean here due to the risk of crocodiles. The waves taunted the hot and sweaty hikers. Then it was back to following the blazes. Here's where the true work began, as we had to climb over many rocks. It was beautiful, but exhausting. Luckily we didn't have to worry about the tide times for our hike, as the low tide was in the middle of the day. After a hot afternoon of rock hopping, we arrived at Little Ramsay Bay. Just before the campground was a small inlet with picturesque reflections of the mountains. The water source was up to the right, from a rocky but clear-flowing stream. Again, we were tortured by the ocean and inlet, which were off-limits due to crocs. We rested up a bit and then got into camp mode, putting up our tents and getting water to filter. Trail tip: Keep in mind that there are rodents on the island, so keep any food or trash in your pack and hang it up when you are away from camp and at night. The pack rack is also a handy hook for your water filter bag. We chatted with some of the other hiking groups, made dinner, and hit the hay early because we were all wiped. Day 2 - 10.5 km to Zoe Bay We were all a bit stiff and sore after our first full day of hiking, but we were also excited to see what Day 2 would bring! The views back towards camp were pretty spectacular. Right after this was a bit of vertical rock scrambling. Not easy with a big pack on! After the rock scrambling, our first swim of the hike was in a teeny tiny waterfall. It was refreshing, but we were excited for the bigger ones! We stopped for lunch, staying well away from the water as "Beware of Crocodile" signs were present. The stream crossings continued, with us carefully stepping in some areas and removing boots for wading through others. A hiker who'd done the trail previously tipped us off to the Blue Pools, which we would never have noticed on our own. It was the perfect spot for another swim! After a very long day due to our many swim detours, we finally made it to Zoe Bay. The ferry guy warned us about the sandflies here, and he was right. I covered up head to toe and still got eaten alive. The only solution was DEET. We were told about a campsite that's closer to Zoe Falls and less insect-infested, but it was already taken. We strung up hammocks, explored the nearby waterfall (worth it if you want a post-hike swim), and had dinner on the beach. We saw the same knowledgeable hiker again, who came over after dark with her crew and we went croc-spotting in the lagoon near the campground. Yep, we saw some big eyes shining... Surprisingly, no one had nightmares. In the morning we saw drag marks and prints in the same area, and oh boy, the croc threat is real! Day 3 - 7.5km to Mulligan Falls The next morning we packed up as quickly as we could to avoid the bugs and headed to Zoe Falls. We couldn't resist a swim in the lower pool, which was a good cool-off before the super steep ascent to the upper pools (there's one part where you use a chain to get up). Well worth the trip, just for this view! You can swim in the top of the falls, or in a pool below the first rim. We had a very scenic breakfast. We spent a few hours swimming, but knew we had to get moving or we wouldn't make camp before dark. The day following was the hardest of the lot. It was mostly open trail, with the hot sun beating down. We wet our shirts and Buffs as often as possible, but there wasn't much shade. It was long, it was hot, but when we got to the top of the ridgeline, we got 180 degree ocean views the whole way. After a lot of down, we made it to a flat, tree-covered trail. Our final campground was nestled in a thick grove. We hopped into the last waterfall of the trip before dinner. Ahh, refreshing. We read our books for a bit and feasted on our favourite backpacking meal, Backpacker's Pantry pad thai, courtesty of Andrea's last trip to the U.S. and of course, REI. Day 4 - 7.5km to George Point (2.5 hours) A final trail breakfast was eaten at the top of the waterfall, and a final dip before the hot hike out. After how long it took us to get to the campgrounds on the previous days, I was confused about the time estimate for Day 4 (2.5 hours). It also was still rated as "difficult". I think this has to do with the tides. The tidal river crossings here can be quite dangerous (read: crocs), but for our hike it was low tide and we cruised our way to the pickup point. The last 5 kilometres were an easy walk along the beach. Someone's phone made a notification sound and we all groaned a bit... It was so nice to be disconnected for a few days. Delirium or joy? We made it to George Point, the end of the trail! There was a campground and pit toilet here, but as there's nowhere safe to swim and you can actually see Lucinda, most people choose to do the final day in one push. Our ferry was waiting to take us back to the mainland. I think we were all happy to put down the packs and take a shower! We made it back to the caravan park, got our luggage, and took a long shower in the big shower block. A change of clothes, off to the pub for a feed, and then our transfer back to Townsville. The crew enjoyed sitting down and watching the world go by, and they dropped me off at the airport for my earlier flight back to Brisbane. Extra kudos to our friend's mom who was a legend for hiking this trail with us! You can adventure with us anytime, Gaye. To Andrea for doing the bulk of travel planning. To Talia for endless stoke and carrying capacity. To Bek for being great company. And a shoutout to Janine who had a concussion and couldn't come along... Let's plan the next one soon, huh? The Hike Trail length: 32 kilometres (~20 miles) Minimum time: 4 days, 3 nights Suggested season: April-September Max group size: 6 people The trail can be walked north from George Point or south from Ramsay Bay. We liked the southbound option as we would get the long ferry over with first. I was surprised to see so much of the hike rated as difficult. The mileage each day seemed easy enough, even with a big pack. But once on the trail, I understood why. The trail is marked well most of the way, but the entire hike wanders along rocky outcroppings, sandy beaches, wet marshy areas, and countless stream crossings. Our group is very fit (2 ultra-runners) and I found it to be do-able but I was glad we didn't go any later in the year (we went in mid-October). It was really stinkin' hot, which makes the croc-infested waters even more of a tease on the days without safe swimming holes. This is the most useful resource we found for the hike, especially for pre-planning. There is also a paid app you can download to use on the trail. Maps can be found on the national park website. The most frustrating part of this trip logistically was getting gas for our stove. You aren't allowed to fly with gas, and we were pretty crunched for time on the way up. I made a very expensive Uber detour to Anaconda to pick up fuel. I suggested to the holiday park that they sell stove gas to hikers, but not sure if they were keen on the idea. Must-haves for the hike: Assorted hiking gear Water filter and treatment tablets as a backup Camp stove First aid kit Sunscreen Bug spray (I hate using DEET but would recommend on this trail) Dehydrated meals or food that won't spoil in multiple days of heat PLB Permits To keep Hinchinbrook wild, only 40 people are allowed to hike the trail at one time. You must have a permit to hike the trail. Kayakers who stay overnight have different permit booking options. Some people also come explore by boat, usually as day trips from the mainland. Permits are released on a rolling 6 month basis, so each day you can book permits for any day up to six months in advance. However, between around April and October, they book up right away. You can book more than 6 permits, but you are only supposed to hike in groups of 6 to limit environmental impact. If you're not going to use a permit, please return it. We returned the permit for our friend who got a concussion before the trip, and we're pretty sure the solo hiker we met on the ferry took it. It took us a long time and a lot of effort to get permits; kudos to Andrea for staying up at odd hours to book them! Getting to the Thorsborne Trail Getting to Townsville We chose to meet up in Townsville, as we all had varying days we could get off work. I flew Virgin and the others flew Jetstar. Keep in mind that you'll need to check a bag, and you cannot fly with stove gas so you'll have to find some before you start the trail. Alternatively, you can fly/drive to Cairns, then Cardwell, and take a different ferry from Cardwell. Shuttle to Lucinda We looked into renting a car that could fit all of us (originally 6), but it worked out to be about the same cost to get a shuttle. We preferred that as none of us would need to drive, and we wouldn't leave a rental car sitting in unfamiliar territory for 4 days. A shuttle with Helloworld Travel Ingham was arranged and was exactly as advertised. Accommodation in Lucinda We stayed at the Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park, in 2 cottages on the property. The staff will store excess luggage for hikers and give you a towel and a shower upon return. I would highly recommend them as they were super responsive to my many questions, and were flexible with bookings after one of our friends couldn't make the trip. We ate at the Lucinda Hotel, which is a block away from the holiday park and is also quite nice. The portions were huge, the drinks were cold, and the staff were very entertaining. Ferry to Hinchinbrook You can do the trail in 2 directions, but we thought it made more sense to do it north to south. This means we had a long ferry ride on the way over, but the return ferry was only about 10 minutes. We booked with Absolute North Charters. They got us where we needed to go, but the guy that runs it is pretty crabby and technology-averse. However, he does know the trail backwards and forwards, and the app he helped develop is well worth purchasing for the trek. He did also give us some mosquito coils for the really bad areas, which was nice. Questions? Would you like to know anything about the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island that I haven't mentioned above? Comment below and I'll try give you an answer!

Well, it's been a while since I posted, and a while since I found time to spend in the woods! A few friends and I spent a full day hiking the Coomera Circuit in Lamington National Park, a long but relatively easy hike starting from Binna Burra Lodge. Trail reports range from 16 to 20kms, but we clocked about 19km in 6 hours. Find a map here. The circuit can be done clockwise or counter clockwise. We chose to do the falls first and end with the Border Track. The circuit track slowly descends further into sub-tropical rainforest, with Jurassic Park-like foliage and enormous buttress root trees. The track can be quite muddy, but luckily for us it hadn't rained for a while. After a long descent, the first landmark to appear is the Coomera Falls lookout. From here it's an impossibly steep drop to Yarrabilgong Falls and Coomera Falls. Next is a walk through Coomera Gorge. There are quite a few falls that aren't on the national parks map, and each is unique. The river crossings are apparently intense after rain, but we had no trouble keeping our boots dry. The waterfalls just kept coming! Make sure you do all of the side trails, which offer unexpected views. This was the last substantial waterfall before we headed back to Binna Burra on the Border Track. It took about 2 hours to hike the mostly flat section back. The only standout was the Joalah Lookout a few kilometres after the turnoff. We spotted a few pademelons near dusk, and arrived back at the parking lot just in time for sunset. We were all tired from a long day, but agreed this hike was well worth it. Find the most complete list I found of the waterfalls here. Thanks for the hike, adventure ladies! Happy trails!

After spending 3 days exploring Kakadu, we continued on to chasing waterfalls in Litchfield National Park. It was hot and humid, so we spent most of our time in the water! There are many options for waterfall swims, from short drives off the main road to hours-long 4WDing excursions. Florence Falls The campground at Florence Falls had spacious camp sites, plenty big for our rig plus a campervan. It's first come, first served, with a pay envelope station in the centre. There is a central unit with bathrooms, cold showers, and a sink for doing dishes. The walk from the campground to Florence Falls is down a steep set of metal stairs. Watch your step! It's only about a 10 minute walk to the falls. The view from the lookout is worth an extra minute of walking! There's a longer loop trail if you're feeling energetic. We used the Florence Falls Campground as our jumping-off point to explore the rest of the park. Blyth Homestead We were sad to find the road to The Lost City was closed. This 10km track ending in spectacular sandstone formations is one of the highlights of the park. We weren't sure if this was due to the recent rain, upcoming wet season, or another reason. Continuing on to the Reynolds River 4WD Track, we found the roads were very wet and muddy from frequent afternoon rainstorms. We found a few deep river crossings, with one all the way up to the bonnet (hood for you Americans)! The road was in good condition most of the way, but we definitely needed our lifted 4WD and a snorkel to do the water crossings. We stopped in at the Blyth Homestead, built by the Sargent Family in 1928. The family of sixteen operated a tin mine out back. Being so far from civilisation, they had to be very self-sufficient. Read more here. The homestead was abandoned in 1960, and the land was later donated to the national park. Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek) After another 20 minutes of driving and about a 15 minute walk through the valley, we came to Tjaynera Falls. And we had it all to ourselves! The parking area here doubles as a campground if you're interested in spending the night, but make sure you're well-supplied as you'll be in the middle of nowhere. Magnetic Termite Mounds There's a small pull-off near Florence Falls where you can see the magnetic termite mounds. This type of termite mound can only be found in parts of Northern Australia, characterised by thin edges pointing north to south and broad sides facing east to west. This regulates the inside temperature, and they grow to around 2 metres (6.5 ft) high. The more common reddish-coloured catherdral termite mounds can grow to more than double that height! Wangi Falls Our final waterfall stop in Litchfield was Wangi Falls. With a cafe, barbecue area, and one minute walk in to the falls, this is the most accessible waterfall. After a final dip, we made our way back to Darwin! We were very ready for a real shower and some air conditioning. Check out the sights in nearby Kakadu National Park or Katherine. Questions about road tripping in this area? Comment below, contact us, or send us a message on our social media!

Did you know Kakadu is Australia's largest national park? Kakadu covers nearly 20,000 square kilometres, much of which is inaccessible without a 4WD vehicle. We could've spent weeks exploring here, but had to rush on to Litchfield and Darwin to get our Canadian friends back in time for their flight home! An itinerary for 3 days in Kakadu National Park is recommended if you're short on time, or don't have access to a 4WD vehicle to get to the more remote areas. Day 1 I'd highlighted a few spots in the park to visit from blogs and Instagram, but we didn't have a park map or much cultural information on hand. Since we were coming up from the south, we stopped at the Mary River Ranger Station to double check on some closures. This station had restrooms and some signage, but surprisingly no park information brochures. There was a map with campgrounds, but it had no information about how long the hikes in were or road condition reports. The ranger station did have signage that mentioned the Gunlom Falls upper pools are closed due to a request from the native tribe. We were told by a park ranger that the trail goes though a sacred ceremonial site, so it will be closed for the forseeable future. If you still want to visit, the lower pool is open, and so is the campground. We decided to skip Gunlom and headed to Maguk instead! Maguk Waterfall This waterfall is accessible to 4WD vehicles via a 10km unsealed road. It might be accessible to 2WDs if it's dry and you're not driving a rental! We saw a few vans that made it in here, but the road is quite rough in spots and we saw quite a few lost hubcaps. Our friends parked their campervan at the turnoff and hopped into our rig. We flew through a mud puddle expecting it to be quite shallow but almost lost a wheel down there, so go carefully! Playing in the red mud Once you park, there's about a 20 minute rock scramble to the waterfall. It was hot when we were there, but so worth it. The water wasn't very cold, but it was great to be able to take a dip here. Make sure you don't swim in the river! There is a campground at Maguk but we decided to get a bit further north. We drove back out, stopping at a pull-off with some massive termite mounds! They're HUGE! Mardukal Campground also looked nice but we needed to charge up our batteries in the trailer to keep the fridge running. We camped at the Cooinda Lodge, which has a bar and restaurant and multiple swimming pools. Would recommend if you're not looking to go bush! Day 2 I was crushed to find that the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre was closed due to renovations, and there's no planned reopening date. We considered the Yellow Water boat tour which gets rave reviews, but at $90 per person it was a bit out of our budget. So we continued on to the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) heritage site. The Anbangbang Rock Shelter was a highlight, offering insight into the traditions and stories surrounding this area. The Indigenous tribes used to take shelter here during the pre-monsoon season (which is when we visited) to avoid frequent lightning strikes. The art along the rest of the Nourlangie Trail tells stories of the people that have been coming here for over 6,000 years. There are normally ranger-guided hikes during the busy season, but due to COVID these were not available. The storm clouds started rolling in as we got to the lookout, so we made our way back to the cars. Bowali Visitor Centre This visitor centre was more what I was looking for, with a park ranger on hand to answer questions, park brochures and maps, and a cultural exhibit. You'd normally pay a $40 entrance fee here, but the fees were waived when we visited. There were many interesting displays in the little musuem. One was about the region's six seasons - Monsoon (Gudjewg), Knock 'em down (Banggerreng), Cooler but still humid (Yegge), Cold weather (Wurrgeng), Hot dry (Gurrung), and Pre-monsoon storm (Gunumeleng), which is when we visited. Read more about the seasons here. We were also fascinated to learn some ancient legends about the sickness land, which has since been found to be a radioactive area rich in uranium. Even though the Indigenous peoples didn't have a scientific reason to avoid that area, they knew not to eat or drink anything from there, and told stories to keep people out. After having a browse around, we headed to Jabiru to set up camp for the night. We stayed at Aurora Kakadu Lodge & Caravan Park, jumped in the pool for a cool down, and had a lazy restaurant meal since we were pretty much out of groceries. If you need to stock up in Jabiru, be aware that the grocery store prices are exorbitant but there's nothing else available for a long way. Day 3 If you want to witness crocodiles in the wild, head a half hour north of Jabiru to Cahills Crossing. Cahills Crossing If you've done any research about the N.T. you've most likely heard about Cahills Crossing. This is a rite of passage for any 4WD, with crocodiles lurking in the murky water and a strong current at higher tides. There are hundreds here at any time, but we only saw a few tracks through the mud and the occasional head above the water. The tides affect the river level, and the most crocs can be viewed at high tide. People have died here, so only cross if your vehicle is capable and do not leave your vehicle in the middle. Take note that the other side of the crossing is native land, so you can only go further than the turnaround with a permit. Ubirr Rock Art Site Just north of Cahills Crossing is Ubirr. This rock art site is one of the best in the world, with rare examples of x-ray paintings (see below). The trail goes past many areas of rock art, and eventually winds its way up to a scenic lookout. The sunset is supposed to be spectacular from up here, but since it was raining we opted to head back to camp. The next day we drove back towards Darwin. There's not much along the road, and very little mobile service, so we kept in touch with our friends using our radios. Our next stop was Litchfield National Park, which we actually liked a lot better than Kakadu... Subscribe below to get a notification when the next blog is posted! Tips and Tricks Take note when leaving Katherine or Darwin that there's not much along the way! Fuel up and have plenty of supplies with you. If you want to truly explore Kakadu, you'll need a 4WD and you will need to visit during the drier parts of the year. There's honestly not a lot in Jabiru. There's a small grocery store with exorbitantly-priced food, a servo, a few caravan parks, and the famous crocodile-shaped hotel. I wouldn't make this a destination, just a stopping-over point to leave plenty of time for Ubirr and Cahills Crossing.

After waiting out some rain in Alice Springs, we were searching for some good hiking and camping in the Red Centre. We had a few days to kill until our friends arrived to explore Uluru with us. With a little research we discovered Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park and decided to go camping and hiking off-grid for a few days. There are currently no amenities out this way, so be sure if you're camping in the MacDonnell Ranges that you have plenty of drinking water, food, and fuel and can provide your own shade as there's not much to be found out this way. All of the turnoffs are well-signed, but make sure you do a little research before you go as there's no mobile service out here! Simpsons Gap Drive time from Alice Springs: 25 mins The closest spot to Alice Springs, Simpsons Gap gives you a taste of things to come. There’s a short walk to the gap, which contains a little water during the dry season. You cannot camp or swim here, but the rock formations are stunning. From Simpsons Gap you can walk sections 1 or 2 of the Larapinta Trail. Standley Chasm Drive time from Alice Springs: 40 mins Standley Chasm is the second stop in the West MacDonnell area, although there is an entry fee as this land is privately owned. We were surprised by the amount of infrastructure here after driving through a whole lot of nothing. There are bathrooms and a cafe, and you can pay to camp here, although it’s literally a parking lot. Entry to the gorge is $12 and camping is an additional $6.80 per person. After paying your entry free and guzzling down a cold drink, you'll push through a metal gate and walk along a hot, dry trail for about 15 minutes before getting to the chasm. If you're in the chasm around midday, you'll spot the orange glow in the distance. While we got some cool photos here, if you’re short on time and/or funds consider skipping this one in favour of Ormiston or Redbank Gorge. Ellery Creek Big Hole Drive time from Alice Springs: 1 hour Ellery Creek is a popular swimming spot as it's not too far from Alice Springs. It's icy cold, and you can venture further into the submerged canyon if you're brave! We met one of the locals on our way back to the ute... This goanna slithered across the trail while we waited patiently. There is camping available here for $6.60 per person. There's not much shade in the campground, so be sure if you'll be staying here you bring some kind of shade cover or plan on spending time under the shelters. From Ellery Creek you can access sections 6 and 7 of the Larapinta trail. Serpentine Gorge Drive time from Alice Springs: 1 hour, 10 minutes This gorge isn’t anything special, but the lookout hike is well worth your time! It's not far but it's very steep with lots of steps. Take your camera! Neil Hargrave Lookout Drive time from Alice Springs: 1 hour, 10 mins We read about this spot on a blog, and stayed here because Wikicamps and the travel blog we read claimed it had Telstra reception so we could do some work. What we think they meant was that it has a little amplifier box if you need to make a phone call. Oh well! The sunset here was glorious, and so were the stars. It was quite windy, something to keep in mind if you're not in a hard-sided camper. You may only camp here for 24 hours, and there is no bathroom. Ormiston Gorge Drive time from Alice Springs: 1 hour, 30 mins Ormiston Gorge would logically be next but we did this one last because Bobby had planned a surprise engagement! See the post here. You can camp at Ormiston Gorge for $10 per person. There more amenities here than most of the other campgrounds, with showers and BBQs. The water hole is quite close to the camping, about a 5 minute walk away. There’s also a loop hike to the lookout and then down to the gorge. From Ormiston Gorge you can access sections 9 and 10 of the Larapinta Trail. Mount Sonder Lookout Drive time from Alice Springs: 1 hour, 25 mins This lookout is gorgeous at sunset, and a favourite engagement photo from our session with Lisa Hatz Photography! There's a free 4WD camp just past here, Finke River 2 Mile Campground. We didn't get the chance to camp here, but it looked beautiful. Glen Helen The Glen Helen Lodge and gorge were closed when we were here. This means there's no petrol out this way. Take a spare fuel canister, or be sure you have enough to make it back to Alice Springs. Redbank Gorge Drive time from Alice Springs: 1 hour, 45 mins The furthest point on this tour is by far the best. If you’re short on time, we’d recommend driving out to this one straightaway. This was our favourite spot for camping in the MacDonnell Ranges. We camped at the Woodland Camping Area, which has toilets, firepits, picnic tables, and BBQs. There's also a camping area on top of the ridge, which is great for sunset but can be more windy. Cost is $3.80 per person. There's a hot, sandy, rocky scramble ahead of you. It took us about 20 minutes to get to the gorge. There's no official trail, just keep aiming toward the distant gap in the cliffs. You come over the last pile of rocks to see the water, which doesn't look super appealing but is icy cold. There are warnings at the trailhead about the risk of hypothermia, even in the middle of summer. There's also no shade here, so cover up on the hike and in the water to avoid overheating. If you're brave or hardy enough to stand the water, head back into the gorge for some beautiful slot canyon views. We were told you can keep going for about 40 minutes before reaching an impassable wall, but we were too cold to go that far! We'd recommend wearing a rash guard or wetsuit (really, we're not kidding) and bringing along floaties if you want to do a lot of exploring. Return or Keep Going? After our engagement at Ormiston we headed back to civilisation to celebrate, but you can turn camping in the MacDonnell Ranges into a full loop (by traveling to Gosses Bluff Crater, Palm Valley, and Finke Gorge National Park), or add on Kings Canyon and travel down to Uluru. Camping in the MacDonnell Ranges is a great way to see the best the Red Centre has to offer. Even if you don't have time to spend a few nights out this way, head out to some of the closer spots for some good views and maybe a swim! Subscribe or follow us on social media to see more photos from the Red Centre and the Top End.

Spending a very hot morning swimming in icy cold Redbank Gorge, we rolled into Ormiston in the early afternoon. We put up the trailer, napped under the fan, and played cards for a bit before climbing to the lookout. I thought it was a bit early for sunset but Bobby insisted... He asked me to stand out on this ledge so he could take my photo, and then... Bobby popped the question! He surprised me by having a photographer waiting below to snap a shot of the big moment. We walked right past her, and I did think it was rather odd that someone would be sitting up there wearing jeans on such a hot day, haha! But I was still definitely surprised, as I thought he'd wait until we were closer to Darwin. To make the story even better, Bobby had set this up a week earlier when we'd been waiting out some rain in Alice Springs. We found a photo in a travel blog that he just loved and decided that was the place. He posted on an Alice Springs locals Facebook page, where a lot of people recommended the same photographer. ABC Radio actually interviewed us about the story after we got back into town! Lisa the photographer was able to track down the spot using the photo, and they planned it all out. Poor Bobby had been sweating it out the entire 3 days we'd been camping in the MacDonnells without mobile service, just hoping everything would line up perfectly! I thought he was acting a little strange but he played it off well and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect moment, and what a view! Lisa the photographer met us up at the lookout, and then took us down to the water at the bottom of the gorge. The gorge was even better than the lookout! What a place, huh? We got some cute photos, and then some that are a little more "us"! And of course we had to get a photo with our home the last few months... As the sun dipped down further, Lisa showed us a few more picturesque spots around Ormiston. The light was just perfect! If you're looking for a photographer around Alice Springs, we highly recommend Lisa Hatz Photography! She was friendly and personable, and an absolutely brilliant photographer. The ring was also local, an Australian opal from NSW purchased from The Gem Cave. We couldn't be happier with our memorable Outback proposal! Read our post - Camping in the MacDonnell Ranges - for more information about spending a few days in this beautiful Outback mountain range.

It's quite a trek from anywhere, but visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is worth it to see such an iconic Australian landmark. This is the world's largest monolith, standing 348 metres (1,142 ft) above sea level. For scale, that's 24 metres (25ft) higher than the Eiffel Tower. And there's more underground, an estimated 2.5 km or 1 square mile! About the Park We were so lucky to be able to visit Uluru during a time without many visitors, and we had the place practically to ourselves. Park entry is normally $25 per person for a 3 day pass, but this was waived until the end of 2020 due to COVID. The only downside of visiting during this time was the closure of the cultural centre, which I really wanted to visit to get some background knowledge on the history and culture of this famous place. Instead we read through our parks brochure and read some articles online, but I hope to go back for the full experience in a few years. Some facts about the park: Aboriginal people have inhabited Central Australia for more than 30,000 years Explorer William Gosse became the first European to see Uluru in 1873 Ayers Rock was first declared a national park in 1950 After more than 35 years of campaigning, in 1985 the Anangu people were recognised as the traditional owners of the park and handed back the deeds to their homelands The park was officially renamed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 1993 The Anangu people own Uluru and Kata Tjuta and lease the land to the Australian Government Parks Australia and Anangu jointly manage the national park Top things to do at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park See the rock at sunset If you roll up to Ayers Rock Resort mid afternoon, set up camp or unpack your suitcase and get to the rock an hour before sunset. There’s a dedicated sunset lookout, about 20 minutes from the resort. Leave a little extra time to get your entry ticket and park information from the entry gate. Settle in for the show, stick around and watch the light change. If you’re lucky, Uluru will glow! We didn't get to see it go totally red, but kind of orange. We met up with some friends from other travels who are touring Australia in their campervans. To see more information about where we stayed, scroll down to Staying near Uluru. Walk or bike around the base This is your only option to get up close and personal with the rock since climbing was banned in 2019. You can still see the worn path where the chain used to be. While climbing up the rock would’ve been a very cool experience, we understand that Uluru is sacred to the native people and climbing the rock is disrespectful. Start early in the morning to avoid the heat, because there is zero shade out here. We chose to ride our mountain bikes and found the path to be flat and easy to navigate, with just a few sections of loose gravel. Make sure you stop to read the signs and do all of the side trails. There are bike racks in a few spots so you can walk into the water holes. As you get further around the rock, there are areas you're asked not to photograph. It was a bit hard for me to understand at first, but after reading the signs and asking around I started to get it. The Anangu (Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people, the traditional landowners) ask you not to take photos of certain areas because the rock tells a story. Uluru is seen as a sort of sacred text, and that script should only be viewed in person. The Anangu tribal elders keep their culture alive by passing on oral histories to younger generations. If visitors to Uluru photograph and spread images of these places around, these stories may be interpreted the wrong way. To learn more about this, read this article. Uluru looks smaller from some angles, but then you get closer again and marvel at this huge monolith. The rock's angles change as you go, offering a new perspective every few minutes. Keep an eye out for the caves with rock art and the signage telling the Dreamtime stories. We did see some Segway tours rolling around Uluru. While I understand that some people might not be able to hike the 10km trail around the base, it seemed a bit inappropriate to have something so futuristic-looking somewhere you go to appreciate ancient history and culture. The base hike is a must-do for any visitor to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Visit Kata Tjuta/The Olgas Perhaps even more picturesque than Uluru is nearby Kata Tjuta ("Many Heads"), otherwise known as The Olgas. There's a sunrise viewing platform, from which you can also see Uluru. We did the Valley of the Winds hike, which took us about 2.5 hours. There are dire warnings on this trail but if you're an experienced hiker this one isn't too much of a challenge. The hike is closed after 11am on days over 36 degrees, but we'd recommend going much earlier. We finished at about 8:30am and it was already really hot. The terrain here reminds of hiking in Utah or another desert area of the U.S. The rock formations at Kata Tjuta were amazing, and well worth a few hours. It's about a 40 minute drive from the Ayers Rock Resort. Get a birds eye view Since drones are prohibited here, there’s only one way to see the rock from above. We hopped onto a mid morning flight around the rock with Ayers Rock Scenic Flights. You can’t fly directly over the rock as there are sacred sites on top, but the pilot gives you a few different angles on both sides of the plane. There's not a lot out here... The flight itself is only half an hour, but that's plenty of time. There are longer options that go out to Kata Tjuta if you're looking for a more extensive experience. The most interesting part about this flight for Bobby (who has a recreational pilot's license) was learning that Ayers Rock Airport has no air traffic control! Say g‘day to some camels Even if you don’t have the urge to ride one, Chris Hill’s Uluru Camel Tours is the largest camel farm in the area. Full of adult and baby camels, barnyard creatures, and some more unique critters such as a water buffalo, this is a nice family-friendly stop. Our Canadian friends made some local acquaintances! There are a few red kangaroos here, which are much bigger than the ones found closer to the coast. We all thought the baby camel was super cute... Don't worry, these animals are fine, they had just gotten rained on! The camel farm also has a very cool outdoor space which is used for an annual camel race. There was a massive storm rolling through while we were here. Check out those storm clouds! You can just catch a glimpse of Uluru through the brush. We went back to the sunset spot to catch a better view of Uluru surrounded by storm clouds. And then we started the 5 hour drive back to Alice Springs! Staying near Uluru There are very limited options out here. Most people stay at Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara. We stayed at the campground, which is actually part of the resort complex. We found it to be super clean, with spacious sites, great amenities, and an ice-cold swimming pool which comes in handy on those hot summer afternoons. There's also a lookout in the middle of the campground which offers views of Uluru and far-off Kata Tjuta on clear days, and distant storm clouds on rainy ones. Your other options are the resort hotels (which range from $470-$700/night) or the ultra-luxe Longitude 131 (which our scenic flight pilot told us costs $6,000 per couple for 2 nights). We would've loved to go to the Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars, but at $300 per person it wasn't quite within our budget. Instead we made group meals from groceries we'd bought in Alice Springs and cooled off with the occasional ice cream from the campground reception office. There is an IGA and a petrol station/grocery here if you need anything, but everything is a bit more expensive due to the remote location. Getting to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park We took a few months to drive out here, but most visitors don’t have quite that much time. You can fly from large cities into Alice Springs or directly to Ayers Rock Airport. If you fly into Alice, be warned that it’s still a 5 hour drive to the park, and there’s not a whole lot to do or see on the way. Take extra supplies and spare petrol if you can, just in case. Drive time to Uluru from: Sydney - 29 hours Brisbane - 32 hours Darwin - 20 hours Adelaide - 16 hours Alice Springs - 5 hours Here’s the map to show that it really is in the middle of nowhere: If you’re traveling through Alice Springs, we're working on a post about the town. Subscribe below to be notified when it's published! Visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is an experience not to be missed if you have enough time to explore the Red Centre. Let us know if you have any questions, and subscribe below to follow our upcoming posts about traveling from Alice Springs to Darwin.

Camping at Lawn Hill National Park (also known as Boodjamulla National Park) is something you shouldn't miss if you're traveling through the Top End of Australia. This area is home to the Waanyi people, who know it as Boodjamulla, or Rainbow Serpent country. The park was part of Lawn Hill Station until December 1984, when the owner released 122 square kilometres (47 sq mi) to the state, on the condition it be managed for the public's benefit. The road out to Lawn Hill NP from Gregory Downs is hot and dry and seems a lot longer than the 1.5 hours claimed by Google Maps. But once you arrive at this desert oasis, you'll be willing to do it all over again! See our impressions of Lawn Hill Gorge (and why it's worth the drive!) in the video below. A Desert Oasis After brushing off the dust from our drive and setting up camp, we walked just 30 metres away to the nearest stairwell leading down into the gorge. The orange and red hues of the desert turned to cool water and quiet jungle, a bit of pure bliss. We ran back to the ute to blow up our floaties with the air compressor. Our hot tip for traveling through the Top End? Always keep a few $10 Kmart floaties on hand! The red cliffs in the distance beckoning, I had a lady told me I probably wouldn't make it all the way down there in my "craft".... Bring it on! Just kidding, we took the inflatable kayak. To see waterfalls, red cliffs, and more imagery from the gorge, watch our video at the top of this post. If you paddle all the way to the end of the gorge, there are pretty trickling waterfalls and some platforms to tie up your watercraft if you feel like going for a swim. Boats can be rented from Adels Grove, but if you can, bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddle board and hang out in the water all day. Be warned that there are freshies (freshwater crocodiles) here, although the ones we saw were pretty small. They are usually non-aggressive, but still best to be aware and avoid them. Guide to Camping at Lawn Hill National Park Getting here - The Lawn Hill Gorge section of the park can be accessed from the south via Mount Isa or Camooweal, from the east via Gregory Downs, or from the north. We camped at Gregory River (AMAZING free camp, definitely stop for a night if you can) the night before to get the lowdown on the road out to the park. The road condition depends who you ask. People towing huge caravans will tell you it's the worst road they've ever done, while people just driving out for the day say it's fine. The road is mostly unsealed and does have some big potholes, but for the most part it's manageable until you get past Adels Grove. The last 10 minutes of the drive have some pretty bad corrugations, and large rocks you definitely want to avoid. We didn't have any issues, but our rig is designed to go off-road. Do make sure you lower your tyre pressure by 20% to avoid blowing a tyre on the drive. If you're driving through to the national park, Adels Grove has petrol (limited to 20 litres per customer) and a limited range of food and drinks. Camping - There are 2 options for camping in the gorge: Lawn Hill National Park campground - about $7 per person, per night Adels Grove Station - $20 per person, per night The national parks campground here is notoriously hard to get into. We were only able to book one night, yet on the night we stayed, half of the sites were empty. We can only assume the no-shows just didn't bother to cancel their bookings, which really is a shame. There are tent sites as well as camper trailer sites, and we had no problem finding one big enough for the rig. There are only a few spots with shade, on the far end near the river, so make sure you're prepared for the heat. We popped up our gazebo to have some cover. The campground has flush toilets, showers, and water spigots, although it's suggested that you boil before drinking. The gorge is less than a minute's walk from the camping sites, so it's easy to spend all day in the water. Don't miss camping at Lawn Hill National Park! Comment below with any questions. Want to hear about more of our adventures? Subscribe at the bottom of the page!

We had multiple Aussies tell us there’s nothing in Chillagoe. If by nothing you mean epic rock formations, gorgeous desert sunsets, spelunking, and a turquoise swimming hole, then yeah, there’s nothing here... Luckily our road trip buddy Rocky flagged this spot after seeing it on Instagram, so we knew there was something worth visiting in this Outback Queensland town! Balanced Rock We got to Chillagoe in the early afternoon and had a picnic at Bogey Hole, a swimming area just outside of town (see below). Rocky recommended we explore Balanced Rock at sunset, and so far these photos are some of our favourites from the entire trip! I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Bogey Hole If you're in need of a cool-down in Chillagoe (which you will be, even in winter it was hot!), take the 2 minute drive off the main road to Bogey Hole. This little oasis looks small but has enough waterfalls and Tarzan ropes to entertain everyone. There's a picnic table in the parking lot and another next to the water, but bring your mosquito repellent! Self-Guided Caves There are 3 self-guided caves in the park. 2 of them are right by the ranger-guided caves, perfect to kill some time while you wait. Drive to the Donna Cave car park, and follow the paved sidewalk until it ends. Don't forget your headlamps! The furthest cave is Pompeii, with a short scramble into a large cavern full of boulders. Climb to the bottom and into a low squeeze if you dare! Bauhinia Cave is a steep, slippery scramble down a narrow chute with a few large caverns below. The 3rd self-guided cave is a bit further out of town, so we didn't stop by this time around. Ranger-Guided Cave Tours Ranger-guided cave tours run daily to Donna, Trezkinn and Royal Arch caves. Tickets must be purchased from The Hub in the Chillagoe township. It's about $30 for adult entry to one of the caves. We arrived the day before and were only able to book Trezkinn. If you're coming during the busy season, we'd recommend calling ahead. Collect your tickets at The Hub and arrive on time to meet your ranger. No headlamps are necessary, as the caves are lit by electrical lighting. Trezkinn went down a steep, narrow shaft with quite a few steps before opening up into a large cavern with intricate formations. The ranger gave us some background on the cave. To be honest, the narrative wasn't the best but seeing the cave was worth the money. We'd recommend booking at least one guided tour while you're here, because everything else is free! Getting to Chillagoe A little under 3 hours from Cairns, Chillagoe is the perfect detour if you're looking to spend a few days in Outback Queensland. The tropical scenery turns to dry brush before Mareeba. There's not a lot out this way, but make sure if you do take the trip, stop at Granite Gorge, a private nature park with a swimming hole and the cutest little rock wallabies you've ever had the pleasure of meeting! Admission is $12 for adults, and camping is an additional $6. Stop at the camp office to sign in, and they'll give you a trail map. Be warned that the road out to Chillagoe is not entirely sealed. We did fine in our big RV, but a ute would be recommended. There's not much in Chillagoe itself, but there are 2 general stores and a few pubs. Definitely visit if you're in Cairns and looking for a taste of Outback Queensland!

After picking our friend Rocky up from Townsville a bit earlier than planned, we restocked on food and then made the trip up to Wallaman Falls, part of Girringun National Park. Worth the detour, Australia’s longest single-drop waterfall measures 268m (879 ft). This was our first stop in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which protects Australia's most extensive remaining area of wet tropical rainforest. Getting here A 2 hour drive from Townsville, this a worthwhile detour if you're traveling north to Cairns. Fill up with fuel in Ingham, as there's nothing nearby the park. Once you're off the A1, watch out for cows! Be warned that once you reach the park the road up is steep and fairly narrow in places. We saw quite a few caravans here, despite signs warning them away. Stop at the picnic area on the way up for some great panoramic views of the forests and farmland below, and to give your engine a rest! There is large vehicle parking on the left, if needed. Wallaman Falls camping area There is a national park campground at the top, a short drive from the falls. Book online before you arrive, as there's no mobile reception here. The spaces are plenty big enough for any size van, trailer, or camper. We found the campground to be lovely and quiet, except for some annoyingly bold bush turkeys who knocked dishes off the kitchen and stole whatever food was left unattended! There are fire rings and BBQs provided, a well-kept bathroom, and even a free (cold) shower. Visiting Wallaman Falls A 10 minute drive from the campground is the Wallaman Falls lookout. We appreciated the falls from above before hiking down to see them from below. The falls themselves are worth a few hours, despite being a relatively short walk down. It took us about 40 minutes each way. There's a sign at the second platform with dire warnings... We're prepared, confident hikers so weren't too concerned, but the trail is narrow and rocky in places. The walk quickly turns to thick rainforest, with glimpses of the falls in between the trees. You'll know once you reach the bottom! Wallaman Falls is magnificent, and even being quite far away we could feel the misty spray of the hundreds of gallons of water thundering down. I'm not sure even these photos can illustrate the scale of this waterfall. It took Rocky quite a while to pick her way down to the pool below the falls. The rocks here are slippery, and the water quite cold. None of us went for a swim, as the shadows were deepening toward sunset. The hike back up was steep but not too painful. We returned to the trailer, ready for a meal. We made a fire at the campground, enjoying baked potatoes cooked in foil, with only one stolen by a bush turkey. We threatened to eat the roving turkeys, but they didn't seem to care! Stony Creek hike I could've stayed here for days, but the road was long and time was short. We did a short hike along Stony Creek, accessible from the campground. The hike offered some information about the flora with the highlight being this massive strangler fig. Despite the beauty, we felt bad for the tree, as the fig will kill it slowly over many years. An epiphytic fern (growing naturally in a totally soilless condition) up in the branches of the tree was also massive, and beautiful. Stony Creek would've been a great swimming spot if the weather hadn't been turning. We snapped a few pics before the ominous rainclouds and high humidity chased us away. We could feel a storm about to blow through, so we high-tailed it back to the truck to get back down the mountain. I'd highly recommend a stop at Wallaman Falls if you can spare the time, even as a day trip from Townsville. I'm not often wowed by waterfalls after visiting such beauties as Havasu Falls in the States, but the sheer size of this gorge blew me away. Subscribe below to follow more of our trip around Australia!

If you’re searching for a laid-back island experience, the Keppel Islands offer the perfect mix of beautiful beaches, good snorkeling, and glorious sunsets. Camping on the Keppel Islands is a great way to experience the best of the Capricorn Coast, without paying resort prices. Getting there If we’d had enough time and money we definitely would’ve chartered a boat here. Alas, we took the quicker, cheaper way over. After a relaxing few days camping at NRMA Yeppoon, we hopped aboard the 7:30 ferry to Great Keppel Island. There are 2 ferry companies that leave from Keppel Bay Marina. We went on the earlier boat with Keppel Konnections. The ferry ride was about half an hour, and the sea was very calm. The gloriously clear water and distant island peaks got us even more excited to leave civilization behind for a few days! An Impromptu Dive We’d been put on a wait list for diving at Keppel Dive, and after chatting to the staff going over on the same ferry, were pleased to learn they had space for us! We dropped our bags behind the dive shop and shimmied into double wetsuits for 2 dives out among the reef. Only having dived 4 times to get my Open Water certification in Bali last year, I was a bit nervous. Resident PADI dive expert Aemon made me feel very comfortable, helping me descend slowly and safely to a depth of 10 meters. With a water temp of 16°C (60°F), Andrea and I had a major case of the shakes, but Bobby was loving it so much he started doing somersaults in the water. I was a bit too focused on breathing and not freezing to death on the first dive, but on the second the coral and fish were so pretty I barely felt the cold. I also borrowed a diving hood (made out of the same material as wetsuits) but it was too big, ballooning with air and making it extremely difficult for me to stay down. Bobby held my hand for the dive in a romantic but also necessary gesture. Lesson learned - Don’t use new gear underwater unless you’re sure it will work! Getting to Middle Island There are no ferries over to the other islands, so you'll need to charter a boat or book a private ferry. Keppel Dive was able to arrange this for us. After warming up on dry land, we grabbed burgers with a new friend from the dive boat until the tide was high enough to ferry us over to Middle Island. I was happy about food but even happier to FINALLY see an echidna in the wild! He was just so darn cute! Camping on the Keppel Islands You can camp on Great Keppel Island, but at $25 per person there are far better options. 13 out of the 18 Keppel Islands are reserved as national park land, so if you’re willing to take your own supplies you can camp for less than $7/night. Book online here. Keppel Bay Islands National Park has a few great options, but after chatting with the staff at the dive shop we decided on Middle Island. North Keppel and Humpy are more popular, but Middle Island is limited to 3 camp sites (1 on each beach, with a max of 6 people) so we had the whole place to ourselves! Read more about the different islands here. We brought all of our food over from the mainland and paid $10 for the resort to fill up our portable water tank. Fresh water is ferried over to the island, so bring it from the mainland or be prepared to pay. We also had all of our camping gear, snorkeling gear, and an inflatable kayak. Keppel Dive ferried us over and we had a few days to explore. Bobby had some fun flying his new drone, with great results... The pristine beach was white and smooth, and the only footprints were ours. The sunset was lovely and we enjoyed the view until the sand flies chased us into our tents. We slept well, cozy above the dunes, with the crashing tide erasing our footprints along the nearby beach. We spent the entire next day lazing around reading our books. It was heavenly. I wish I'd felt warm enough to go snorkeling but the water was so cold I just went in for a few quick dips. No one landed on our beach, although a boat did anchor off shore a bit. From the screaming we heard, it was too cold for them too! Next time we'll come back in summer for the full experience. Bobby and I did take his inflatable kayak out for a paddle around to one of the other beaches. We floated over the best snorkeling spot on the island, looking for fish and coral below the water. And that night Andrea gave me an astrophotography tutorial that turned out better than I ever could've expected. I have to say my new camera is living up to expectations! Check out that Milky Way, huh?!? The next day we hung out and explored the cliffs and tide pools until our dive friends came to give us a ride back to Great Keppel. We got some food at the Hideaway resort before our ferry back to the mainland. We made a wildlife friend, the Queensland Bush Stone-curlew. Less aggressive than the gulls, he was still checking out our fries... We were sad to leave after such a short time, but sun-kissed and ready to sleep somewhere a bit less sandy. Yeppoon We got back to the marina and our ute (Aussie for truck), driving the 10 minutes to Yeppoon to get takeaway before heading back to camp and our trailer. Instead of an easy trip back, disaster struck, and the ute started leaking diesel. RACQ was there in what felt like 2 seconds flat, towing the truck to a mechanic for a closer look in the morning. We were all a bit crushed that our trip had been delayed... Read more about our unexpected but lovely stay in beachfront Yeppoon. Tips and tricks Middle Island has mobile service in some places. Do yourself a favor and pretend it doesn't. Unplug for a few days! Great Keppel Hideaway is the main resort on the island, with great food, cold drinks, and a lovely view while you wait for the ferry back to the mainland. They were doing a $5 add-on breakfast deal when we booked our ferry. Bargain! There are sand flies here, so bring bug spray and layers, and have the itch cream ready when you get back to the mainland. Be sun safe. We covered up and climbed into the hills to get shade in the hottest parts of the day. Watch out for seagulls. They will steal your food and rip apart your trash bags if you leave anything out. Drone photography © Bobby Hale

Carnarvon Gorge is listed as one of Queensland’s hidden jewels. I'd highly recommend a visit if you've got some extra time on your hands and would like the chance to explore somewhere a bit more remote. Hiking in Carnarvon is very peaceful and invites you to slow down a little and just enjoy. The rock art here was rather astounding, and the first example of native culture I’d seen so far in Australia. We spent 3 days and 2 nights hiking in Carnarvon Gorge, which was just enough time to explore. Carnarvon Camping We arrived at the park the day after school holidays ended. This meant we couldn’t camp at the visitors centre and the surrounding campgrounds were full. Luckily we were prepared to camp overnight in the canyon, at Big Bend camp site. This is typically the first stop for hikers doing the Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk, around 10 kilometres (6 miles) in. It’s a long haul if you start late (we started hiking about 1pm) but fairly flat and very scenic, with large palms, birds flitting about, and reflections of the overhanging cliffs in the many stream crossings. We left all of the side canyons for the hike out. Big Bend is a pretty little campground next to a trickling stream. There’s a picnic table and composting toilets. There was one other couple already set up here, some road trippers from Tasmania. Although we didn’t see it until we’d already pitched our tent, there is a more private little tent spot off to the side with a great view of the cliffs. Take note that the sun doesn’t really reach this part of the gorge and no fires are allowed, so if you’ll be coming in winter bring plenty of warm layers! There is also no mobile reception here, so come prepared. Boowinda Gorge The highlight of the trip for me was Boowinda Gorge, with the most perfect S Curve (photographic term) I’ve ever seen! Andrea did a trail run up to Battleship Spur and the second Great Walk campsite while Bobby and I spent hours just enjoying the canyon. We spent the rest of the afternoon napping in the tent, which was much-needed after a hectic few weeks. The river provided the perfect white noise, and when we emerged we had plenty of camping friends! There were 3 older gentlemen escaping their wine-loving wives for a night, a group of younger guys doing the Great Walk, and some couples we didn’t get the chance to chat with. We were very entertained by the older gents attempting to prepare their dehydrated meals, but hit the tent not too long after dinner because it was coollllllldddddd. Side Trails in Carnarvon Gorge The next morning we took it easy, exploring many of the side trails we’d skipped on the way in. Our favorites were Cathedral Cave, the Art Gallery, and the Amphitheater. Cathedral Cave was almost spiritual, as we had it all to ourselves. We walked slowly along the boardwalk, admiring how well-preserved this art is, protected under the cliff overhang. The towering cliffs had paintings about 8 feet up the wall, with signs helping us decode the symbols. These are rock art stencils, created by putting an object against the wall and then blowing a mixture of water and ochre over it. Hands are very prevalent, followed by tools and weapons. The Art Gallery was about a 10 minute walk up into the cliffs. A stunning collection of rock art, this section had more stencils and some engravings. We almost skipped The Amphitheatre as we were quite tired and ready to put our heavy packs down for good, but I'm glad we stopped! This was an unexpected oasis, reminiscent of Jurassic Park. Although Carnarvon Gorge was a long trek from the coast, I’m glad we finally ticked off a place we’d been hearing about for ages. There’s a lot to be explored in the area, if you have the time! There are actually 3 sections of Carnarvon National Park, and many other nearby parks, mostly accessible by 4WD. But for now, back to the beach! Read about camping on the Keppel Islands, an underrated island getaway! Don't forget to subscribe to new posts at the bottom of the page! Travel Tips Getting to Carnarvon Gorge An 8 hour drive from Brisbane, this canyon is not easy to get to. Hiking here is only for the prepared, and those willing to put in a little extra effort. We traveled from Fraser Island, with a stop at a great free campsite in the tiny blip on the map that is Theodore. Preparing for your hike Honestly, I found the lack of information about this park a bit sad. We spoke with some other campers who also struggled as well. The visitor centre was closed when we arrived, so we hiked in without a camping permit or a decent map. We did see a ranger making repairs on the composting toilets at Big Bend, but go in prepared to fend for yourself. Download the Sandstone Belt Guide here. This includes information about the different sections of Carnarvon National Park (Canarvon Gorge is 1 of 3), a map of the Gorge (not to scale), and some of the surrounding parks. If you're doing the Great Walk, there is a topo map available to download. Be warned that the trail is closed from November through February, as it's just too darn hot! It was perfect during the day, but close to freezing at night during our visit in July. Camping nearby There are 4 camping options within an hour of the canyon. The Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Centre has camping only 6 weeks out of the year, during school holidays. We missed camping here by 1 day. Sandstone Park is a spot with scenic views, only suitable for self-contained vehicles or very prepared tent campers. Takarakka Bush Camp is a bit luxe, with small cottages, cabins, glamping tents, and camping. The Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Camp was closed when we were here, probably due to COVID or a recent bush fire. The Rolleston Caravan Park should be a stop only if you’re desperate for power, water, and a hot shower (which we were). It’s cheap but it's also right next to the road, so we woke up to trucks driving down the highway, barking dogs, and whining kids. Gear we used Exped Ultralite -5 sleeping bags Exped camping pillows Exped UL Synmat sleeping pad Exped Hyperlite sleeping pad Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre 80L men's pack Lowe Alpine Altus 50L women's pack Marmot 2 person tent Jetboil stove GSI camp cooking set Outdoor Research Sonata women's down jacket Outdoor Research Aspire women's waterproof jacket Outdoor Research Interstellar men's waterproof jacket Nalgene water bottles Source Widepac 2 litre hydration reservoir Katadyn Base Camp Pro 10L water filtration bladder Fenix rechargeable headlamp Petzl Tikka headlamp First aid kit

A shining jewel of Queensland, beautiful Fraser Island is located just 3 hours north of Brisbane. A haven for fishermen, wildlife spotters, photographers, and 4WDing enthusiasts, there’s something on this island for everyone. Camping on Fraser Island is an experience not to be missed if you’re in this part of the world, and we recommend spending a solid few days on the island to make the most of this sandy adventure. Getting to Fraser After a frantic scramble getting everything ready to leave Brisbane for a few months (possibly longer!) we skedaddled out of town. Our friend Andrea was tagging along for a few weeks so we crammed her camping gear in the back and off we went, picking up a pop-up awning and inflatable kayak along the way to complete our off-road setup. We arrived in Rainbow Beach in time to pick up a ferry ticket for Inskip Point. You don't need to book this ahead, just show up within the window of low tides. We drove the last 10 minutes to the beach, dropped the tire pressure, and loaded onto the ferry. Bobby enjoyed a few “nice rig” comments, and Andrea and I hoped he could drive it well enough to get us to our campsite for the night! Never having done any sand driving before, I will admit I was a bit nervous. But as soon as we landed on Fraser I was blown away by the stunning, untouched beauty of the island. The only thing for miles were sand, waves, and the occasional 4WD racing to get the ferry back to the mainland before the tide came in. Ferry from Inskip Point ~ 10 minutes Camping on Fraser Island Ferry drop-off to Zone 1 Camping ~ 1 hour Fraser Island is enormous. Stretching over 120km, Fraser is full of wildlife and epic views. The beach along the eastern side of the island is so easy to drive that it’s classified as a highway, with the speed limit up to 80km/hour in some areas! We were shocked to learn our vehicle was covered by insurance here, although I’m sure they had certain stipulations. We raced along to Zone 1, our designated national park camping area, booked online a few days before we arrived (read more about camping options below). We spotted dingoes and a breaching whale along the way, and a rainbow shone through the storm clouds just off the coast. After a false start getting nearly stuck going over a sand dune, we made it to an inland track and found a beautiful little campsite perfect for our trailer. The crashing of the waves was the soundtrack of our visit, and the perfect white noise to fall asleep to. The ocean was right over the dune, and life was good. Fraser's Famous Lakes Zone 1 Camping to Southern Lakes Circuit ~ 3 hours Plus Lake McKenzie ~ 1.5 hours The largest sand island in the world, Fraser is a very unique island. With 40 freshwater lakes, this island isn’t just about sandy beaches. The most famous perched lake is Lake McKenzie, which you’ve surely seen on Instagram. Each of the lakes on the island are different in color and size. We’d recommend the Southern Lakes Circuit, if you’re prepared for some wicked 4WDing! As our first experience doing some major bumpy roads in the Navara, we had a great time while taking it slow. We stopped at Lake Boomanjin, which is the first walker's camp on the Fraser Island Great Walk. Next was Lake Birrabeen, with beautiful white sand beaches. The sun was still hiding, but we got a few glimpses of how magical this place looks in full sun. Note that you cannot take food to these lakes because of the wild dingoes. Most areas only allow you to eat in fenced picnic areas. Please respect the signs! Not having done much 4WDing, I found these roads to be a bit rough while sitting in the back seat. Pretty sure Bobby loved every minute... It was a good test of the rig's capabilities. Be prepared for some big drops! There are many places one car will need to back up or pull off the road to let others through. The inland tracks have a speed limit of 30km/hour. There was a crash the day we left the island, so please drive slowly around those blind curves! The weather was not in our favor during our stay on Fraser. It rained on and off the entire time. However, the storm clouds created great opportunities for rainbows, and we saw a few during our stay! The one at Lake McKenzie was pretty much perfect... Or was it 2? After this we beelined back to the beach, and I’ve never been so happy to drive on a flat road. Fraser’s Famous Shipwreck Zone 1 Camping to the Maheno Shipwreck ~ 1 hour Plus The Pinnacles ~ 15 minutes We stretched our poor rattled bodies (at least mine was!) and raced off to the S.S. Maheno shipwreck, one of Fraser’s most iconic sites. We got it all to ourselves for a blissful moment, before it was inundated by sightseers. This ship has quite an intriguing history, spending its years of service sailing between Sydney and Vancouver before serving as a hospital ship. In 1935 the ship was being towed to a shipbreaker in Japan, but a cyclone caused the towline to snap. The ship's propellers had been removed and there were 8 helpless men aboard. They camped ashore until the wreck was found by airplane a few days later. A few attempts to salvage the ship were made, with no success, so the furniture and piano were removed. A few couples even got married here, long before the wreck became corroded and rather dangerous. After taking a lot of photos, we drove a few more minutes up the beach and took a photo stop at The Pinnacles, which I must admit were cool but not worth a trip on their own. Although the northern tip of the island is supposed to be beautiful, we chose not to go any further north as our time on Fraser was limited. So, back down the beach we went. The Pinnacles to Eli Creek ~ 30 minutes Shallow enough to wade the whole way, we walked down Eli Creek. It was pretty, but much shorter than I expected. We stopped in at Happy Valley just to check it out. The general store was pretty well stocked and had takeaway at limited hours. We thought we were stuck here at high tide as the waves had overtaken the sand around Yidney Rocks, but there's a back road that goes inland around the back of the resort. Happy Vally to Lake Wabby ~ 40 minutes The hike in to Lake Wabby was the most we’d stretched our legs in a few days. The forest was nothing special but the sand blow was huge! Apparently it’s consuming the lake at a rate of 1 meter a year. Lake Wabby is the deepest lake on the island, and although we found it far too cold to swim, in the summer people sled down the sand dune into the lake! I was surprised to see catfish here... And now for the highlight... I finally got to drive the ute while Bobby shot some drone footage! It’s some epic stuff, video coming soon. Lake Wabby to Zone 1 Camping ~ 40 minutes Leaving Fraser If only we’d had more time! Our last day on Fraser dawned perfectly clear, of course. Even though I've lived in Australia for over a year, I'm still in awe of the beach. Leaving early in the morning to beat the tides, we overshot the ferry pickup spot (no signs?!?) and got bogged in the sand. Luckily some more experienced drivers were able to pull us out. It would’ve been nearly impossible for us to turn around in the soft sand with the heavy trailer in tow, and the tide was coming in too fast for there to be any other options. The grizzled ferry driver landed a bit further down the beach as the rest of the passengers looked on. A bit of extra entertainment for those on board, and some red cheeks worn by us newbies to the sand driving world. We’ll do better next time, Fraser! But, is it really an adventure if you don’t get bogged? I’d love to spend a few weeks exploring Rainbow Beach (which we’ve heard has great diving) and Sandy National Park. Until next time, Fraser! Read our next post about Carnarvon Gorge! Travel Tips How to see Fraser Island There’s only one way to see Fraser Island, and that’s with a 4WD. Whether you drive your own vehicle, rent, or take a tour, having a vehicle that can withstand a bit of rough handling is a must. If the thought of driving (and possibly getting stuck) on sand makes you cringe, consider a drive-yourself tour. This provides a convoy to follow and pull you out if needed, while still having the full experience of driving along the sand highway. If you're driving on your own, you will need a vehicle access permit. This is good for one month, and is purchased on the parks website. Ours was $53.65. Make sure you have a tide chart and pay close attention to the areas you can't travel at high tide. Don't end up on the Wall of Shame (people who had to get towed or worse, dug out of the sand after sinking into the surf). Camping on Fraser Island Fraser is a national park, so you need to book campsites on the parks website before arriving. The campgrounds are not dedicated sites but zones, starting with Zone 1 at the southern end and going up to In the north. There are other campsites as well, although these are inland or on the western side of the island, which we heard was pretty rough to get to. We opted for the easy way out, leaving our trailer just over the dune at Zone 1 and taking the ute to explore the rest of the island. If you want to be close to the action we’d recommend Zone 4 as it’s further up the beach. There are also tons of options besides camping on the island. There are resorts, holiday rentals, and private accommodation available. Contact Bobby at Hale Travel & Events if you'd like to book something!

Mount Barney is a magnificent peak about 2 hours south of Brisbane. If you're looking for a challenging rock scramble in SE Queensland, the Logan's Ridge hike in Mount Barney National Park is sure to deliver. Take note that this hike is for EXPERIENCED HIKERS ONLY. Rescues here are common, and very challenging. DO NOT ATTEMPT if there has been ANY rain or rain is forecasted, as the exposed ridge lines become even more dangerous when wet. I would also HIGHLY recommend hiking this with at least one person who has already done it as the trail is unmarked and difficult to follow in some places. We hiked with 2 people who have done Logan's Ridge multiple times and we still got off route twice. True rock artists would regard Logan’s Ridge as a mere scramble, and it is. But aspiring bushwalkers will find the route difficult and treacherous with some exposed slabs and short chimneys. Regardless of skill level, ascending Logan’s is a big day out with some 1000m of elevation gain and loss to be made before returning to the car park. - 50 Classic Climbs, Australia The hike up Logan's Ridge We'd been meaning to hike Logan's Ridge for ages, but due to the bushfires followed by COVID we just couldn't quite make it happen until a few weekends ago. We arrived at the Yellow Pocket trailhead early in the morning and made sure we were well-prepared. Some of our friends were camping at the top, so the big packs added another challenge to the hike! After a long, steady up we finally got to some rocky outcroppings and view of the valley below! This is where the route started to get a little bit sketchy. Most spots have plenty of hand holds, but I was glad I'd worn my very grippy hiking boots. At this point, the hike was worth it just for the views. We used a rope to pull the big packs up in a few places. Also, just so you know, the big rock outcropping below does move if you jump on it... Although the bushfires did some damage here last year, the route hasn't really changed (according to our 2 experts). Beware the occasional blackened branch snagging your pack, and loose rocks tumbling onto the heads of hikers below. As the ridge line got more and more exposed, we took our time up the steepest scrambles. This hike gets more scenic the higher you go, and the rock up here is just picturesque. We took a quick snack break before continuing on to the most challenging section of the trail. There was a massive chimney here which was pretty slippery from the clouds rolling in above. I didn't realize quite how slippery until suddenly my feet slid out from under me. Luckily Bobby was below me, and was able to brace himself on the rock to stop what could've been a very bad fall. Our rock climbing experience helped a bit, but Bobby and Wade offered some much-needed beta! This was one of a few very exposed spots where the more vertically-challenged of us needed a hand up. There were plenty of holds but some of them were very far apart. Mad props to our friends who wore hefty packs all the way up. And then the fog rolled in... And we were in a cloud, crawling up the hill with both hands grabbing trees, rocks, anything as a hand hold for the final push to the top. What a lovely view for our friends to enjoy for the evening! I was very glad I'd hiked up here previously on a perfectly clear day. The hike down SE Route We put on our rain gear and made our way down SE Route, which became quite treacherous in the rain. It's a good few hours to the bottom and it's not until the very end that your quads get a break from the steep down. We got home in the dark, and slept well after a very full day of adventure. What to bring Hiking Logan's Ridge is a serious day out and the weather in Mount Barney National Park can be quite unpredictable. Just in case you end up spending the night at the top, be sure you are carrying: Enough food and water for 2 days (1 day plus emergency rations) Waterproof layers Headlamp Fully-charged phone First aid kit A length of rope for the tricky bits Plan on spending 8-10 hours on the mountain, and get an early start! For beginners I'd recommend nearby Mount Maroon or if you're feeling up for a big day, SE Route which is still scrambly in parts but with much less exposed ridge line. Side note: We did this as a very long day trip, leaving at 4am and returning after dark. I'd recommend making this a full weekend by camping at Mount Barney Lodge or Flanagan Reserve and (if it's summer) taking a day after muscle-recovery hike to Lower Portals for a swim. The real star of this hike? Jake's very short-lived mullet... Talia's face says it all... Want to check out more hikes in SE Queensland? We'll have some to recommend soon! If you're into rock climbing, check out our day out climbing Andromeda Crag in the Glass House Mountains.