National parks, 4x4 and bush camping

[plantman]

Are any of you guys into getting out of the city for weekends and exploring the areas within a few hours outside sydney? I've just started taking my Discovery off the bitumen and am loving it, but I wonder if I'm the only gay in the woods. Are their any others with similar pastimes?

[pinkyboisyd]

Mate i love to go camping - but my friends never want to go........


What places do you head to? Do u ever go up near birdie beach on the central coast.... the camp spot is like a second from the water...you practically camp on the beach its really nice there...

[plantman]

Birdie beach looks awesome on googlemaps satellite! I've been to Watagans state forest which was good for tracks - setup a nice camp but there was nothing else except trees. I've also been to Stockton beach which is a bit of a redneck playground - the dunes are amazing though! I'm hoping to get away again this weekend & Birdie looks interesting & is close. Do you need any permits & would my little King Charles dog be able go?

[pinkyboisyd]

Because its National Part i think your dog should be able to go...

The entrance to the park is usually unmaned so i don't think there is really any big issue. I've seen rangers come through but they usually just check that people aren't destroying anything.... That and the beach area close by is actually set up for dog owners.

P.S. the camp spot is really close to a clothing optional beach so don't be surprised if anyone just drops their pants.... lol

I would add you as a friend plantman but you have a private profile.

[Jody Ekert]

You should organise a group to go! That way you wouldn't be the only gay in the woods. When I was in the US I had a 4WD through Death Valley and Mojave and all sorts of places. I loved every second of it! Even the rednecks seemed quaint.

[pinkyboisyd]

Do i sense a samesame camping trip coming on?

[Jody Ekert]

I'd be up for it. I've got two little dogs and all the camping gear in the world ready - just no car at present! I went to Greenpatch with a group of girls once and we hoisted the rainbow flag about our campsite! No one batted an eyelid.

[pinkyboisyd]

I'd be down for camping - i have no camping gear or car.... but the spirit is willing.....

[jackie87]

I like walking in the Royal National Park, did the 30 km Coast Walk twice, was fantastic and beaches aplenty!

[Swampy]

Birdie beach looks awesome on googlemaps satellite! I've been to Watagans state forest which was good for tracks - setup a nice camp but there was nothing else except trees. I've also been to Stockton beach which is a bit of a redneck playground - the dunes are amazing though! I'm hoping to get away again this weekend & Birdie looks interesting & is close. Do you need any permits & would my little King Charles dog be able go?

No, unfortunately dogs are not allowed into Birdie Beach as it is a National Park conservation area, also though dogs were allowed into the Watagan Mountains in the past as it was State Forest some areas have now been taken over by National Parks and dogs are not allowed into those areas. You can check were you can, and can't, take dogs on the national parks website: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Pets+in+parks

[plantman]

I think I've fixed my profile now, add away! A samesame camping trip would be great! I'd have room in my car for 2 or 3 but it'd be squishy with the gear and that would accomodate 4 people apart from bedding. Swampy, I looked at the map where I went in the Watagans & I spent the night at Onley state forest, but the publication of the map was 2005, so I'm not sure yet whether I was ok, I did notice other dogs with owners but I'll look at the link. I'll call Munmorah state Conservation tomorrow to get some details. I'm definitely heading out somewhere this weekend and maybe if a few are interested in the near future we can arrange something? Pinkyboisyd - clothes optional beach! Wanna a skinny dip before breakfast?

[jackie87]

Oh I remember going to the Watagans with Scouts (ewww my dad was a Scoutmaster) 7-8 years ago, fantastic rainforest and the views are fantastic over Lake Macquarie

[morgan]

I seem to get camping regularly enough - with straight friends.

Green Patch down in Jervis Bay is particularly wonderful. It's national park, though, so no dogs.

[plantman]

Maybe I should leave diesel, behind next time just to be able to go to nicer places like the beach areas or national parks. Finding places that allow open fires is also a small consideration. Hopefully I have my profile setup right now, if anyone wants to meet and arrange a weekend away you're welcome to message me. You wouldn't need to bring much apart from bedding & stuff as I've bought everything new over the last couple of months. If that doesn't work you could email me at peter _ rice at mac . com

[Jace]

so whose going to own and set up the new group in the group section?
camping ?
camping it up?
bushter bashing?
bushbeating?
Weekend Nasho

[plantman]

so whose going to own and set up the new group in the group section?
camping ?
camping it up?
bushter bashing?
bushbeating?
Weekend Nasho

Thats not a bad idea Jace, although I find the groups section a bit tedious when searching or browsing, either you need to know the name or you have to go through the whole alphabet. I guess if a weekend away eventuates from my thread then a group would be the next step.

[burgjo]

Sorry to burst the bubble guys and gals - but dogs are NOT allowed in National Park - however they are allowed in State Forest and there are hundreds of great locations for camping trips in the bush with dogs!

Are the general consensus into 4x4 off road areas or more mainstream 2 wheel access locations?

[burgjo]

Ok guys - we have the group - Offroaders - come on get on board and lets organise a late spring weekend away....... get on the group and post your location ideas!

[plantman]

Hi Burgjo, I prefer the 4x4 off roads to get to locations, makes me feel safer that there wont be car loads of hoons doing burnouts in the carpark near tents etc in the middle of the night. I'm also a member of the Land Rover club (I have a discovery) and am hoping to go to one of their weekend trips. They have arrangements with some landowners who open up their properties to the group. You're right about the dogs & which areas they can go.
Pete

[DeepBlueDreamer]

Gosh...another Aussie pastime I've yet to try....how many are there!!??!!