A couple of weeks ago we bought a second-hand camper trailer. We have been looking at campers for a while, thinking it might be a good option if Andrew takes his long service leave next year and we do a lap of the western half of Australia. We have looked at lots of new ones, drooled over some of them, and ended up getting a serviceable 2005 model on-road camper in very good condition.

Last weekend we had an extended weekend and took it for a test run. We had planned to go up to the Murray River but, with reports of roads and campsites still being in flood, we stopped at a free campground near Elmore on the Campaspe River. Though Andrew had concerns about our car’s ability to tow the camper, it did quite well for the short trip. The camper was pretty easy to set up, and we loved how easy it was to set up the kitchen to organize a meal.

Our first night and morning at the campsite were bitterly cold, with a very heavy frost on the ground on our first morning. Toby was very unhappy with the cold, and I have to admit it was pretty uncomfortable. Nathan delighted in wearing all his warm clothes…beanie, scarf, gloves, and raincoat with snuggly-warm polar-fleece lining.

On Saturday we pottered around with the camper, enjoying the relative peace (we were near a well-used road), watching the birds and collecting/buying a bit of firewood. Sunday we went to Echuca to take the kids one paddle-steamer which they really enjoyed. Then we went for a look around Barmah National Park where we had planned to camp and agreed that the water was too close to the campsites for comfort. Monday we packed up and came home.

So, the verdict…We had a lovely time camping at a time of year that we wouldn’t dream of taking the tent out. We drove in much more comfort than when we use a tent, since we weren’t packed into the car around gear with barely room to move. The camper still took a long time to pack up (we had thought it would be quicker than the tent) but we should get quicker with practice and when we are better organized in the camper. We do need to look at getting a new car to tow it half way around Australia, but juggling price and towing capacity and wanting something comfortable for around town has us very undecided as to what is best for us.

I can’t wait to take the camper out again!

Ready to go camping!

Set up op on the bank of the Campaspe River.

Kids eating ice off the car!

Ice on the kitchen bench.

Nathan with a sparkler. Toby didn’t want one.

Happy Birthday Daddy! The boys put the candles into the cake on their own.

Yummy cake!

Nathan hindering the digging of the hole for our campfire (he was putting dirt back into the hole already dug by Andrew).

Helping to light the fire.

When do we have the marshmallows?

On the paddle steamer.

Nathan, the paddle steamer driver.