Tent safety whilst camping ?

Hmmm, if I felt that I needed a rifle for saftey in a caravan park... I reckon I'd find another caravan park! LOL

Personally, we generally bush camp and generally a long way away from anyone. But even then you still get the occasional mountain bike rider or bush walker come by. We've never had a problem and we camp a alot. There probabally are places around the joint that would not be as safe, but common sense will prevail IMHO. If the area is busy or does not feel right, ensure anything of value is locked in the vehicle at night time. As far as the kids are concerned, out 9 year old stays in his own tent a lot of the time and has done for a few years now.

Portley, In certain large towns, thieves are opportunistic - watch caravan parks for when you leave the tent/camper unattended and get in quick to take easy pickings such as cameras, phones and cash. I have heard this type of crime second hand and have not experienced this myself, but my travels have been limited mainly to the southern parts of Australia and WA, and we tend to avoid civilisation whenever possible. With a wind-up camper, we were aware that it was not at all burglar proof when opened up, but never had a problem (WA only).

I have reservations about taking a fire arm. What would you do if challenged? He may know that if you shoot - you go to jail. If he is unarmed, shooting is more than reasonable force to defend yourself. Laws are different in each state, and you would be breaching most of them, unless you carry it in a approved secure place under lock and key in your vehicle, meeting the laws of each state.

Many people travel this great land with canvas campers, as well as with their tiny tots, and we don't hear of many problems. Have faith and enjoy your travels.

We have really only just started getting back into it in the last year or so (4yr old & 2.5yr old) as the kids are now of a good age for long trips away. Have stayed a lot in caravan parks up to date but that will change.

Haven't ever really come across any trouble at all even back when it was just the two of us. I guess places with a high indigenous population where there are problems to start with or big cities (like Sydney) would be where you would probably exercise most caution.

We're pretty diligent with camper security - ie locks on everything particularly where the gear is stored and always make sure we lock up or close up when away from the campsite weather it's in a caravan park or the bush, but in regards to the tent that is always unlocked. However it only houses the bedding which is of value but not a be all end all should it be stolen, rather that than someone putting a big slit through the canvas. Even so the small locks on the rest of the camper (jerries, doors etc) are mainly to keep honest thieves at bay.

So far the worst we've experienced was getting the rego sticker stolen at a maccas car park, so now we'll be keeping it on the inside.

I have travelled all over this country over 38 years and have never had a problem.

There are thieves and opportunistic baddies around everywhere. Basically you have to be safety and security concious. Don't leave cameras, laptops, phones etc lying around in the vehicle. If camping on the side of the road/highway make sure you get as far as possible from it. Lock every time you leave the van in a Caravan Park and lock your vehicle as well. Don't leave fridges and other valuable in your annexe and go out for the day.

If you take a rifle with you( presuming you are licenced) then you may get yourself into deep trouble if you start waving it around. There is also the possibilty of accidental discharge and you may ruin your life doing something you had no intention of doing.

There is a bit of paranoia out there. Friends who suggest rifles, are not worthy friends.

Go out there, be positive at all times, and enjoy your journey.

Cheers

My mum use to make a great trifle ....... I recon I could get out of any trouble once I handed out a bowl of that ...MMMMM jelly LOL

Just kiddin leave the bang bangs to the cops and just use common sense when deciding where to pitch .

Regards J.B.

Have to agree with Willem. There is a perception, usually among some city folk, that the bush is a dangerous place which requires a gun. It doesn't. Statistically you're safer in the bush than in your own home. In all my years of wandering I've sometimes felt uncomfortable but never felt unsafe.
BTW Wolf Creek is actually a nice spot..not scary in the slightest, day or nightime.

If you decide you need a firearm ... just make sure that if you pull it out you are prepared to use it. Otherwise, don't take one.

If I had a young one I'd not want a firearm within cooee of it.

Jack

You are being paranoid... but...

sometimes bad things do happen, Madeleine McCann is one example. Fortunately such crimes are rare in Oz but security still needs to be considered.

Forget a firearm (if you need to ask you are not sufficiently comfortable with them to use one). Instead consider a couple of battery powered Passive Infra Red (PIRs) detectors to cover the campsite/tent area on those (very rare) nights you might feel uncomfortable. As for a weapon: socket set extension bar and kitchen knife would be good - both unlikely to kill and were just things you happened to, as a "reasonable person" might, have around the campsite" (no premeditation).

Oz is a very safe country - don't worry too much.

Mike Harding

Portley,
I too have found it very strange that some work collegues have suggested I take a gun....??????? My response every time is WHY? When I told one guy I was doing the Gunbarrel and the Simpson he told me I was crazy????? Only saw 1 group of cars on the Gunbarrel and 1 car on the Simpson????
I quiz them, they are city folk and they just don't understand that the bush is safer than walking down road in the city sometimes.

Lot of paranoia about being in the bush. The only place I've ever had a problem was later year in the centre of Dubbo, in a full sized van. In forty years of camping all over Australia, and a lot of that with my 2 daughters (from the age of a months onwards), I've never had a problem. Have camped in campgrounds, out in the sticks with no one around etc. To be honest I've always felt more unsafe in towns and cities than in the bush. Forget a weapon, can bring you problems you don't need. Relax and enjoy all the experiences, as no doubt your little one will
Peter

Maybe Ive read this post wrong but it sounds like its heading towards weapons???
The people who have been brought up with guns will have them and those who havent wont know,...Dont change . If your not used to having one, they will get you in trouble. most pepole can talk there way out of trouble with out one.
Its not a good situation when it comes down to ....do I pull the trigger?
If you were brought up with them youll have one ,if you werent , fear isnt a good place to learn.
Shiit I can hardly read that myself!!!!!

Portley

I have travelled and camped regularly for the past 35 years and my wife and I only had one incident where $30-00 was stolen from her handbag whilst we were in a caravan park.

Don't believe the horror stories. Don't live in fear. Get out there and enjoy life.

Tjilpi

I only have been threatened once and he was wearing a brown uniform, I think he said he was a Ranger or something, my German Shepard would not let him in the camp site. The dog now knows he must read signs and no dogs in a national pk.

People who use firearms for protection are usually the ones who get shot..........

You're either a gun person or you're not. I'm not.
They have their uses, but I'd suggest that one of them is not in the hands of frightened campers.
Far too many accidents can, and sadly do, happen.

I think we are very fortunate here in Australia not to have to carry guns out in the bush. I was reading a story about a mountainbiker in the US who went out for a ride and then set up camp in the bush, heaps of noises at night, rustling in the leaves etc and they thought it was mountain lions and the like prowling around. They didn't have a gun and I think they left the tent and just rode the heck out of there! Came back in the morning tent was there & nothing disturbed, they think maybe if they had a gun they would have spent the night - but you know I don't think they would have got much sleep either way!

I know Australia has a lot of dangerous critters like snakes but at least we don't have animals like lions and bears that prey on us.

As for people well bad people do bad things some times, and in reality you probably have more chance of that in a city even in day to day life. I think if it's going to happen it just will and it would be rather unfortunate weather you have a gun or not.

And when it comes to city people saying you should carry a gun particularly if you are going out bush then it's probably a lot to do with stories such as the Falconio murder case.

I agree with a lot of opinions stated so far, most thieves are opportunistic and if it came to giving a thief your belongings rather than losing or taking a life then I know which I would do. In other extreme cases like kidnapping etc well what do you do? Gun or no gun I don't think I could ever set up much of a contingency plan that would be followed through. It's the sort of thing that isn't really worth worrying about too much, hopefully I have more chance of being hit by a truck.

I'm not a gun person and don't see the need in one, if I grew up with them and was on a farm used to mercy killing of animals and the like then sure I may carry one, pass on knowledge down to my children.

I would suggest even by asking the question , should I carry a gun , means you are not a gun person , and probably unlikely to even know what is required to get one.

If you are that concerned that you NEED a gun . . . . stay home.

As for safety precautions , Sensor lights are handy. Keep something solid close by. Dont leave things out for those "temptation" thieves. Camp out of sight if possible.

It will be a very sad state of affairs in this country when the day comes that we think we will need to arm ourselves for protection.

Question,
Do you think you need a gun in your home now to protect yourself?

I would think not, so the same applies out bush.

Go and travel and enjoy yourself with the tens of thousands of great people who are out there doing the same, your kids will love it and forget the crap advice given by those who have never been past the end of their street.

For a gun to be useful a protection it needs to be within arms reach and loaded at all times.
In the US this is the main reason why they have so many gun deaths.
An argument starts and the 1st thing you see is a loaded gun.
Or the nippers decide to play with dads gun and accidentally blow dads head off while he is snoozing in front of the TV.

Best way to maintain security when camping is to camp with other like minded families

Thanks for all the replies.

We do agree that taking a gun is a over the top and definately wont be doing so for many of the reasons mentioned above. We also understand the importance of locking up valuables and keeping them out of site.

I guess the main question we were trying to ask was - "Do you always feel SAFE when only protected by canvas or are there times you wish you had the safety of solid walls " ?? - Only thinking of times you may get some drunken yobbos come into your campsite late at night, or the odd opportunistic thief that may come into your tent whilst sleeping. I gather it doesnt happen often but im sure these things have happened !!!!!

Cheers

Don't leave stuff laying around. Lock up valuables out of site. If you take a firearm, take it for hunting or putting down a critter you have hit. If you take a firearm you need to be licenced in every state you take it. It also needs to be correctly secured. The rules vary in different states. If you produce a firearm in an argument you are already guilty of assalt. It also just tends to inflame the situation. You then may be forced to use it. It is tough to go "in fear of life" when you are confronted by an unarmed individual. If you shoot someone you have years of court etc in front of you. Not to mention the cost of a good lawyer. Even if you had a firearm, who said you would get a chance to get it out. If you don't use it it could be used against you. If this is the only reason for the firearm, and you have not been trained to kill another human being leave it at home. If you don't like the feel of a place just move on.

Steve

we should be more concerned about 'bad' things that are more likely to happen in our daily lives like being in a serious car accident, being mugged in the city, having our homes burgled or having an accident at work, but we don't wake up worried about those things every morning.

After reading all the posts I would like to give my" two bobs worth ".I have travelled the real outback in the top end for many years and always with a licenced firearm. Iwould like to stress that it is only for my personal hobby of hunting on proprties that I have permission to shoot on and at no time did I ever think that I needed it for protection as I have never encountered a problem that would require such drastic action as to use a firearm.My advice is if a gun is not needed for your sport or hobby DON'T carry one and you will find that travel in the outback of Australia is much safer than some people make you think.

Each to his own I guess. I always carry a rifle with me when bush. Just a standard part of the kit. I had to put down a goat just the other day that had been hit by a vehicle and had both back legs broken. It was bad enough as it was, I certainly would not like to do that with a rock or shovel. They are also really good fun, especially a cheap to feed .22LR for plinking.

However, if you are not familiar with firearms it is probably not such a good idea. I would advise against it.