Do I camp or not?
 

I am going from the UK to OZ. My initial intention was to take lightweight camping gear, tent, sleeping bag, mulit fuel stove etc. After looking at the route it seems more practical to stay in hostels, B&B's and the cost doesn't seem that much more. I am now thinking is it really worth carrying all the gear half way around the world when it may only get used half a dozen times.

Any views/experiences would be appreciated.

Hi

In the end, the only camping kit we took UK to Aus was stove and cooking stuff. And we sent that home from Nepal. Cheap accomodation and food is readily available in most places en route. Silk sleeping bag liner for when bedding is dodgy and maybe a sleeping bag if you're heading anywhere high or chilly?

I'd say it depends on whether or not you like camping, if you do then there are some great places to pitch.


------------------
Sean

Hi Simon,
I'm in Thailand at the moment, 13000 miles into my UK to Aus trip. I have carried my tent, stove, water filter and all the other stuff you think you will need, all the way. I've probably used it five or six times so far. There are really good, cheap places to stay and eat everywhere. I am hoping to camp a bit more when I get to Australia but, all things considered, I don't really think its worth carrying all the stuff.
Thats my opinion anyway!!!!!!!
Paul
PS You have one fantastic trip coming to you

Simon;

After 2 month long bike trips in OZ, I have yet to use my camping equipment Down Under (the one time I was going to it started to rain hard and lasted for a week). I found the historic Pub Hotels in locations away from major tourist centers a great place to stay, prices as low as $25.00 AUS including continental breakfast, not a lot of luxury and the toilet and shower are down the hall but clean and close to the pub (for a visit with the locals and maybe quench the thirst built up riding in 45 C heat). Another option was Caravan parks where they often have old caravans that they rent out, you need your own sleeping bag for them. Food was readily available and cheap compared to Canada, USA or Britian.

------------------
Woodchuck

Hi Simon,
maybe you could take an ex-army basha instead of a tent, the basha is just a sort of fly sheet big enough for 1 or 2 (at a push).It folds up to a foot square and about half an inch thick plus the cord you will need to pitch it.Also if your not on your own multiple bashas have a system were they can be put together to make a larger sheet,plus certain forms of them can be worn as a poncho and all can be used as a bike cover.
Cheers Fish.

for me one of the greatest joys of motorcycle travel is being able to camp at some really beautiful location at the end of a hard days ride.
im doing the same trip in may 04 and plan to camp as much as possible... so yes take the camping gear.
my advice is buy quality gear, because if the camping is enjoyable you will do it all the time. a good waterproof tent is a must.
cheers..phil.

Hi,
Have travelled through OZ (26.000 km), whole around and central, and I definitly recommand camping gear. First of all camping is great, secondly as soon as you go in the outback, you might only have a roadhouse and a campingsite.If you plan your trip from day to day in OZ you can find places with caravanparks/hostals but then freedom gets lost, no? If you have the gear with you, you are as free as a bird.

Forgot something, I also had a hammock with me, very small package/no weight (was in parachute tissu) which came in handy. The nice campingspots in natural parks tend to be full very quickly but with my hammock, just took 2 trees and had a spot to sleep. Off course if you travel in the good season with no rain. Never regret it that I bought/took that hammock, even if it takes extra space and you know how little space you have.

I used my tent and stove often. It was nice to know that if the bike broke down somewhere I could set up a tent and eat! Camping in Iran is brilliant, you dont have to find a town to sleep. You can do your trip no problems without one, and it does get shitty carting all the stuff around.

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson