Thursday

Tent Review - 12 Person Tent

Tent Review - 12 person family size tent.

This tent review looks at the quality, comfort level, and value for money of the all Australian 'Camping Equipment Company' 12 person family tent. If you are looking for quality and space for a large family or group, you've come to the right place.


The Camping Equipment Company  
Click on the flashing logo above for 10% discount!! 

Tent Review - Premium Quality 12 Person Tent

The inbuilt quality of this 12 man tent is simply well above standard in so many ways. Just take a look at the   tent review below and note the inclusions. (The numbers located in various positions on the tent are explained below).

1. The Premium Super-lite tent poles are high tensile modular construction which naturally give superior support and maximise the internal dimensions of the tent. The design of the pitched roof wont allow rain water to pool on the roof. Instead it gently directs rain away and down to the ground in one seamless motion.
2. No Premium quality tent is worth its weight in gold unless it comes complete with a rain fly. This 12 man tent is no exception and boasts another quality feature in the Exo-derm (TM) rain fly. The Exo-derm material has been especially create for use on Camping Equipment Company tents. It will not stretch or sag when wet like other commonly used materials such as nylon and it will keep its shape even during a heavy downpouring of rain. It also has a seam-seal feature which inhibits water from penetrating.

3. The cleverly designed storm weather flap quickly takes rain away from the tent.

4. Guy lines are also of premium quality and are larger and have more strength than traditional ropes. The Dyna-strap (TM) guy lines are made from webbing and give excellent stabilisation to this 12 man tent, especially during high winds.

5. Air circulation is excellent and is provided by way of mesh vents at the top and at opposite ends of this very roomy family tent. The rain and bugs will also be kept at bay, while the vents allow for better circulation of air which in turn reduces the likelihood of condensation.

6. The Ajax 12 man family tent comes with 'twin doors'. One is a full size door made from mesh fabric to allow circulation and keep bugs and mosquitoes out, whilst the other door is a full fabric weatherproof door for privacy and to keep the wind and rain out.

7. This is a great addition to safety. These woven nylon guy lines come with reflective taping for greater safety at night. Anyone who has ever been camping in the past will no doubt have tripped over their own for someone else's guy ropes. This problem is now almost eliminated with these great reflective guy lines.

8. Here's where technology and quality collide. The Camping Equipment Company use a breathable inner tent manufactured with breathable polyester with built in mesh vents to assist further in the regulation of air flow. The partition privacy walls can actually be removed. This creates a much larger area for sleeping. In addition the floor made from Dri-tek (TM) materials is fully sewn in tub style which is heat sealed during the manufacturing process. This actually prevents moisture from coming through, keeping the family dry at all times. The Dri-tek (TM) material is tough, hard wearing and abrasion resistant.

9. The Camping Equipment Company only using high quality components and this is further shown by the use of Talon (TM) tent pegs. They have a reputation as being light weight and highly impact resistant whilst doing a great job of holding down tent corners and support straps firmly in the ground.

12 Person Tent Review In A Nutshell. 

All in all, the Ajax 12 man family tent is an extremely well constructed piece of camping equipment, which is well priced for the quality of the product, and will hold up to many, many years of use - even with 12 people using it! A great buy!

Wednesday

Searoad Ferries - Sorrento to Queenscliff and return.

We had a great trip on Searoad Ferries across Port Phillip Bay from Sorrento to Queenscliff with the car and caravan in tow. I was a little nervous about towing the Mothership into a confined space, but as it turned out, it was really easy to drive on and drive off, even with a 22 ft van.

I had imagined that it was going to be a lot more difficult than it actually was, but the crew were really friendly and helpful and gave clear instructions on what to do. We were just asked to follow the yellow line on the right and keep the yellow line in the centre of the car (see video below).


Searoad Ferries - Onboard facilities

It all went very smoothly, and the facilities onboard were all that you could ask for - modern, comfortable lounge chairs and tables/chairs, big screen TV, Cafe with great coffee, sandwiches, cakes, cold drinks etc, and clean toilets. The views from the large windows in the lounge area and on the foredeck were just magnificent with the sunrise breaking over the horizon on the bay. The only problem we found was that it was all over too soon.

Sunrise at Sorrento

Searoad Ferries - Fares and Tickets

We decided to take the early bird special at 7am which allows you to take your caravan on board for just $22, no matter what length it is. As the Mothership is 22ft long, this saved us quite a bit of money. The 8am service also offers the same special deal. You can purchase your ticket from the ferry wharf or book online.

Of course you pay for your car and the number of passengers also. If you consider the alternative of driving through busy Melbourne streets and freeways that you are not familiar with to get to the other side, this is a great deal!

Sorrento Ferry Car Park

Approach to Searoad Ferry Terminal - Sorrento

Searoad Ferry arriving at Sorrento

Sorrento Pier

Passing another Searoad Ferry on Port Phillip Bay

One of the many beautiful sights on Port Phillip Bay

Looking over the bow of our Ferry

About to arrive in Queenscliff



Getting to Sorrento

One of our stops from Lakes Entrance to Sorrento, was at the Information Centre at Sale. We dropped in to ask the best way to go to Sorrento, and were told to take the Drouin exit off the freeway, follow the road to Lang Lang and then onto the Moorooduc Hwy and straight on down to Sorrento on the Point Nepean Hwy.

Easy when you know how and we have found that there's no substitute for local knowledge. The staff at the Info Centre were so helpful, even showering us with maps, guides, suggestions, and timetable information and brochures for the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry.

No matter which way you are coming from towards Melbourne, we can highly recommend the easy way of avoiding Melbourne city traffic with your caravan, by taking the Searoad Ferry across Port Phillip Bay.

Tuesday

Pet Friendly Caravan Parks

Many of us love to travel with our pets, but it can be difficult to find Pet Friendly Caravan Parks. One of our facebook 'likers' suggested we start a list of pet friendly and dog friendly parks to assist people in finding a suitable campsite a little more easily (Thank you Kerry for your suggestion).

So as time goes by we will add to the list:

Victoria: Pet friendly Caravan Parks.

Lakes Entrance, Vic. 

North Arm Caravan Park
76 Marine Parade
Lakes Entrance Victoria
Ph 03 5155 2490
Although I can't find any reference on their website about being pet friendly, we did see a number of dogs on leads when we were there. Please check with the manager first.

Wedderburn, Vic.

Wedderburn Pioneer Caravan Park
Hospital St
Wedderburn, Vic
http://www.pioneercaravanpark.com.au/
Phone: 03 5494 3301
Dogs allowed but must be on leash at all times.

Euroa, Vic

Euroa Caravan and Cabin Park
73-103 Kirkland Avenue,
Euroa, Vic
http://euroacaravanpark.rvpoint.com.au/
Phone: 03 5795 2160
Pets allowed on leash at Mangers discretion.


Weribee South (Melbourne)

Weribee South Caravan Park
39 Beach Road
Weribee South Victoria
http://www.werribeesouthcaravanpark.com/facilities
Pet friendly - Well behaved dogs are welcome.
Beware - depending on which way the wind is blowing, this caravan park can be quite smelly. We have been told that it is the market gardeners in the area fertilising their crops.

NSW: Pet Friendly Caravan Parks

Lake Macquarie NSW

Belmont Pines Lakeside Holiday Park
24 Paley Crescent
Belmont NSW (Suburb of Newcastle)
Freecall: 1800 626 438

Newcastle NSW

There is a free camp in Newcastle with a dog beach on Horseshoe Bend Rd, Newcastle. 
For more details please follow the link above.

Merriwa NSW

Merriwa Caravan Park 
Bettington St (Golden Hwy) (opposite the showground)
Merriwa NSW
This is a small park which allows pets at caretakers discrection. Choose your own site when you arrive, then caretaker will come and collect fees at 4.30pm and give you a key to the toilets.
Phone: 0418 668 402 / 02 6548 2607

Temora NSW

Temora Showgrounds
Mimosa St
Temora NSW
Phone: 02 6977 1801
Pet friendly but a few trotting horses come in and out of the showgrounds for training, so they really appreciate it if dogs are well controlled.


SA: Pet Friendly Caravan Parks

Lake Albert Caravan Park (Meningie Caravan Park) - 150klms South East of Adelaide
25 Narrung Road, Meningie
Phone: 08 8575 1411

Friday

Caravan Park Batemans Bay NSW

If you're trying to decide which caravan park to choose for a holiday or stopover in Batemans Bay and you would love to be right on the waterfront and fish from your doorstep, then you won't be disappointed with Big4 Batemans Bay at Easts Riverside Holiday Park on Wharf Road. We stayed here for 3 nights and would  come back again in a heartbeat!

Big4 Batemans Bay at Easts Riverside Holiday Park Entrance

Our campsite was right on the edge of the river and the views were just stunning! It's a relatively small caravan park so no matter which campsite you are on, you are only a stones-throw from the waterfront. There are sunny, shady, waterfront and drive-through campsites to choose from.

Our campsite at Batemans Bay

The camp kitchen is excellent with bbqs, wok burners (with woks and utensils available), tables and chairs, bar stools, snack vending machine, coffee vending machine, fridge, and washing up area. The cleanliness of the kitchen and dining area is 5 star, as is the amenities. We have never seen such a clean caravan park as this one.




Camp Kitchen and Dining Room

This Batemans Bay Caravan Park also has a beautiful swimming pool which is open from 7.30 am to 6 pm daily. The location of the campsites are really excellent, and they have a couple of drive-through sites if you prefer.

Swimming Pool

If you are lucky enough to secure a waterfront site, you can literally through a fishing line into the Clyde River from the back of your caravan or cabin. Our neighbour caught 2 nice sized flathead in the space of about 10 mins just as the sun was going down on an outgoing tide. He was using prawns for bait.

Sunset from our campsite at Batemans Bay

This would have to be the cleanest caravan park in Australia I'm sure. We are not really clean freaks, but we really do appreciate it when everything sparkles and smells so fresh and clean.


Modern and clean amenities

There is an ultra modern laundry with new commercial front loader machines, driers, and ironing boards. The clothes line is easily accessible through the back door of the laundry and there is plenty of line space available.

Modern Laundry facilities

There is a great recreation room with internet kiosk, table tennis, tv, lounge etc. It is really well set up and a magnet for kids and big kids alike who want to chill out or have some fun.






As you can tell we were very impressed with the standard of Big4 Batemans Bay at Easts Riverside Holiday Park. There are also other Easts Holiday Parks on the South Coast - Big4 Moruya Heads Easts Dolphin Beach Holiday Park and Big4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park which we would have loved to stay at too, but unfortunately our time was limited. They are definitely on our list for our next trip to the beautiful South Coast of NSW!

Location: If you are coming from the North, you turn in just before you get to the bridge over the Clyde River. If you are coming from the South, you need to go over the bridge and do a U turn at the roundabout so that you are facing South. This is the only way you can access Wharf Road. It's no big deal really, just a couple of hundred metres and you can do the U turn at the roundabout.