Finding the Best Campsite: A Balancing Act

When we go to new places, we instinctively look for the best spot to settle. Even when we enter a ‘new’ café or restaurant, we might seek out a table near a window or a warm and quiet corner away from the noisy street. The goal is the best experience possible … however brief our stay might be.

Park anywhere you want to, if you can …

Remember the old days, when your caravan needed to be plugged in to a power point? You would haul it through the caravan park gates and (assuming you had a choice) search for a nice grassy spot within easy reach of the BBQ area, the pool and the convenience store.

Your list of ‘want to haves’ would include morning sun, afternoon shade, dust-free and insect-free with minimal passing pedestrian and vehicle traffic, zero highway noise, and definitely no loud neighbours.

It was also imperative to be close … but not too close … to the amenities and rubbish bins (walking distance, but not smelling distance, was the key to success).

Your choices, of course, were most often very limited in peak holiday times – when all the available venues were crowded and/or fully booked months in advance.

The Evolution of Campsite Selection

If, like so many of us these days, you are fortunate enough to have a self-contained motorhome or van with off-grid capabilities … you have the luxury of a vastly broader selection of possible sites for your short-term stays. In spite of what the marketing hype might spruik, the choice is not infinite; but it is far more extensive than the confines we were accustomed to back in the previous century.

So, where do you want to set up?

Let your imagination run wild. Then, take a deep breath and come back to reality. Yes, we all dream of secluded crystal brooks babbling through expansive grassy meadows where placid native wildlife graze under balmy autumn skies. I am certain none of us have ever actually seen such a place. Here in Australia, we contend with a mixture of stunning beauty and some highly challenging outdoor environments.

What to Look for in a Campsite

Embrace the whole off-grid experience and find your own space. You may be camping alone or in the vicinity of other travellers – but find the spot that makes sense for you and your personal preferences.

Look for places that are pretty and secluded, away from passing traffic. If you enjoy sitting beside a fire at night, find a location where you can gather firewood.

Find a spot near a watercourse if you can. Creeks and rivers add to the scenic beauty of many places; they may also provide opportunities for fishing, boating and swimming. Be mindful of where you are however, and don’t be too close to the water. Observe warnings about wildlife, including snakes and crocodiles, in areas where those critters are common. Also, be alert to the weather conditions and stay well clear of the banks if there is a potential for sudden storms or flash flooding.

In the warmer months, you might desire shade for your campsite; and when it’s cold and blustery some form of wind protection will be high on your list of important considerations. But do – always – carefully consider your proximity to hazardous trees. Falling branches (and falling trees) can instantly ruin your whole travelling experience.

Dealing with Fellow Campers

Most of us will have experienced a beautiful night in the wilderness being tarnished by undesirable fellow campers.

Look for the warning signs and try not to establish your temporary home too close to people with tendencies that don’t mesh neatly with your own. Loud music, loud generators, loud parties and screaming kids (and/or parents) might be indicators that you need to extend your search for a suitable site.

Common Campsite Deal-Breakers

Pretty sure you’re in the wrong place if …

We know what we like, and we accept that it’s highly unlikely we will ever find all our aspirations in one idyllic place. So we compromise. There may be a fantastic grassy space with miraculous views that lacks a creek; or a hidden valley with a rocky stream that has no views to speak of. We look for all the positives we can find and try to keep the negatives to a minimum.

Some of the definite deal-breakers are listed hereunder.

- Too crowded. If there are too many campers crammed together in a tiny space, you probably don’t really want to be there. How’s the serenity? There is none. You might as well stay home in the city and save yourself some fuel.

- Too isolated. The other extreme. Avoid desolate, vulnerable sites where the nearest source of help may be hours away. You need to look after your personal safety. If a place feels eerie, strange and unwelcoming, regard it with the suspicion it deserves and move on.

- Too disgusting. Litter spilling on the ground around overflowing bins surrounded by swarms of flies. You get the picture and it’s not a pretty one. Some people will camp there … but I’m guessing you won’t.

- Too close to the road. When we camp, we eat, drink and socialise. And we sleep. Sleeping can be impossible if you are subjected to the sounds of heavy vehicles blasting through the night mere metres away from your thin motorhome walls.

Campsite Safety Tips for RV Travellers

• - Difficult access. If you can’t drive into a site without risking damage to your vehicle, it’s an undesirable place to camp. Avoid places where you might become stranded. Always make sure (before you drive in) that you can turn around when you get there … so you don’t have to reverse out.

• - Heavy scrub and long grass. Nobody wants to tangle with poisonous reptiles. Don’t park in the long grass in the heat of summer unless you’re OK with the real risk of stepping on a snake while moving around outside your accommodation. It is wise to always look at the ground around where you’re walking … so you know who you’re sharing your campsite with.

• - Risky mud (and dirt). Realistically there will always be dirt, and often mud, where you want to camp. You will try to avoid it in the interests of keeping your vehicle clean. More important however, is the question: If it rains, will I be able to get my vehicle out of here? Many people have become bogged in really awkward predicaments due to unexpected weather events.

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• The Perfect Campsite: It’s Out There

  Life is good on the road. At times, it can be brilliant. As you travel around searching for the perfect locations to enjoy your journeys, there are bound to be some magnificent places to park your travelling home. Inevitably there will also be some bad encounters that find you more than happy to pack up and hit the road. Almost all of the sites you select are going to be memorable. The best of them will bless you with blissful recollections. And the most unpleasant of them will, at least, give you some fascinating stories to share.

Category: Features
Written: Wed 01 Jan 2025
Printed: January, 2025
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