Poor Choice of Campsite...
Submitted: Friday, Sep 07, 2012 at 08:38
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Member - Oldbaz. NSW.
A news article reveals that a man & a youth were attacked & robbed, their hilux taken
& subsequently burnt ...the campers were in their swags ....in a street in
Bourke...
when 5 local men confronted them with a knife & sticks. A sad affair but a little
better judgment may have had a happier result..........oldbaz.
Reply By: SDG - Friday, Sep 07, 2012 at 17:19
Friday, Sep 07, 2012 at 17:19
I was camping there a few years back at
Mays Bend. (Is that the right name)
Being my pay day I went into town to use an ATM, get some money, do shopping, fuel up etc.
Arriving before 9am at the machine, I did not feel safe. Many locals were sitting under it. Already with a few drinks under their belts. All machines were the same.
Decided to just go shopping, use the eftpos to purchase, and get extra money for fuel there. Agian. Locals were just sitting around. Eftpos used again for fuel, this time I did feel safe with getting some extra cash out.
The idea is, if you don't feel safe, or even think that way, go somewhere else.
Use your own judgement. Don't put yourself in a situation that could turn nasty.
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Reply By: Greg B5 - Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 08:08
Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 08:08
All sounds a bit sad really, but nothing worse than feeling unsafe in our country. We were thinking of a
free camp 50km E of
Cobar (found this site in Camps 6 NSW # 1051) on the way to
Nyngan. Anyone have experience at this
free camp, or would it be better to find a CP in
Cobar or
Nyngan? Mrs is a bit nervy. :-)
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 12:55
Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 12:55
McCullough's is OK about 50kms east of
Wilcannia. I've stayed there a few times without incident. It even has full 3G internet. :-)
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Follow Up By: Fiona & Paul - Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 13:17
Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 13:17
That would be the
Florida Rest Area and that is fine, as is Meadow Glen 63k west of
Cobar. Emmdale Roadhouse and the Baden Park
Rest area is one we frequently use. Has mobile access also.
We travel out that way regularly and all of those roadside campspots are fine, we usually look for the ones with plenty of room back away from the road. If you get in earlier in the afternoon you can be sure someone will come and stay there nearby.
However if you don't feel safe or it makes you feel nervous I'd stay in
Cobar at the CP and then everyone is happy.
Regards
Paul H
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Follow Up By: Greg B5 - Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 14:39
Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 14:39
Thanks for your insights Mikehzz and Paul H, happy travels
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 19:11
Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 19:11
I've stayed at the Florida one as
well. Both McCulloughs and Florida have always had a number of other campers there at the same time so you do feel safer. McCulloughs is closer to the road while Florida is further off the highway but close to some train tracks from memory. Both have a
toilet.
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Reply By: pop2jocem - Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 10:14
Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 10:14
If I
free camp I prefer to do it
well clear of any town or grog supply. I am quite happy to take my chances in the bush with the local yowie, min min, over grown feral cats, dogs, Mick Taylors (of Wolfe Creek fame) et al.
And I don't think all the problems are caused by the euphemisticaly called "locals". Try walking down the main drag in Northbridge (
Perth) after the pubs and night clubs have turfed all their drunken and drugged patrons out into the street.
Now that's entertainment, just make sure you don't become part of the show.
Cheers
Pop
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Reply By: Member - John and Lynne - Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 15:53
Saturday, Sep 08, 2012 at 15:53
Certainly a poor choice of
campsite. I would think that camping in swags in virtually any street in any town or suburb in Australia is likely to make you a target to local idiots or keen Neighbourhood Watch members. Either way you would be likely to be robbed or terrorised or fined for illegal camping! Not likely to get a comfortable sleep.
We always look for a quiet spot out of town ( too far for local hoons to come and party!) and
well off the road. We have never had any issues. The only time we have had anything stolen or damaged has been in an upmarket caravan park in a town!
John and Lynne
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