Every avid camper knows that sometimes the weather is going to mess with your plans. This happens a lot in Queensland, especially over the long weekend. While it might mess with plans, campers know that you can’t let it put a stop to your plans. That is very much the case of Olivia and her friend, Jessica. It’s the long weekend, and while they LOVE spending Easter morning watching their kids open their Easter eggs, their partners have agreed to look after them for the Friday night before. That means an ideal girls’ camping getaway for two good friends who have known each other for almost a decade.
Unfortunately, it’s raining, and the frequency of the rain is moving between heavy and torrential! They are certainly not going to let it stop them though. As mums, they know the value of a little time away from the kids, and they are going to make the most of this, rain, hail, or shine. Mostly rain and plenty of it.
These two friends push on, locating their campsite which they are very happy with. It’s in the middle of nature, offers great views with frolicking horses, and…is also completely soaked! But with good company and the right, simple gear, this is still going to be a camping trip worth doing.
Firstly, they need something that can move all their gear quickly from the car to the camp spot with as little trips as possible. They use the Wanderer Quad Fold Beach Cart. It can carry up to 110 kg and has all terrain wheels which are perfect for taking on mud and puddles.
The tent needs to be easy to assemble but still provide a little luxury for some time away from their young ones. The Wanderer Nightfall Dome Tent 10 Person is ideal! There is a main room for utilities plus two side rooms for Olivia and Jessica to have their own space. Their alone time also means “sleep-ins” and the Wanderer Nightfall comes with blackout polyester for the rooms to keep the light out and the sleep happening.
To finish it off, they use the Wanderer Tourer Extra Wide Queen Stretcher. It splits into two separate beds and easily folds out for a quick set-up.
Olivia and Jessica are soon inside with plenty of space, comfort, peace and quiet. Except for the sound of the rain, which at long last, is actually nice to hear.
Now the rain has eased it’s time to crank out the campfire. The classic damper is our afternoon tea of choice and thankfully doesn’t require many ingredients:
-3 cups self-raising flour
-Pinch of salt
-80g butter
-3/4 cup of water (added 1 cup at a time)
Don’t forget the toppings!
Watch BCF Easter – Part 3 🔗
There are plenty of great camping spots across the state to visit over a long weekend, but Scotty reckons one of the best has to be Rainbow Beach. It’s a top little spot with plenty to do.
Number one on the list is to visit the Coloured Sands. There’s a short walk south of town that offers spectacular views of one of nature’s wonders. Plus, it’s where the name Rainbow Beach comes from. Definitely something to tick off if you’ve never done it before.
There is also plenty of access for four-wheel drives around Rainbow if beach cruising is your thing, and it’s a quick ferry ride across to K’gari (Fraser Island).
According to Scotty though, one of the not-so-best-kept secrets would have to be Rainbow Beach Meats. Scott the owner doesn’t only have a fantastic name, but a fantastic selection of locally sourced meats. Whether you’re camping or want something delicious to throw on the BBQ at your accommodation, it’s 100 percent worth a stop in. People travel from miles just to stock up. It’s that good. Scotty recommends the bacon with some cackleberries (eggs) for the ideal camp breakfast.
When looking for a camp site, Scotty chooses a spot that suits at Inskip Point. There are plenty of sites available right on the water allowing you to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean. Pure magic.
Since it’s a quick long weekend getaway, you don’t need anything too fancy. Low cost, high reward is the way to go. For this trip, Scotty has everything he could need with just a few items:
Lightweight Aluminium Roll Up Camp Table
Campfire Aluminium Billy Teapot
Campmaster Compact Butane Spider Stove
Just add locally sourced bacon and you’re good to go!
Watch BCF Easter – Part 4 🔗
For a camping getaway on a long weekend, Scotty can find everything he needs to for a cheap, simple set up at his local BCF. It’s perfect for his spot at Inskip Point, Rainbow Beach.
If there are campers who need some more facilities, or members of your crew who don’t like to rough it at all, then BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Rainbow Beach have got you covered. They offer 56 cabins of various styles, including some with spa baths! For caravans and campers, there are 109 powered sites plus over 200 unpowered sites. Exactly the kind of facilities needed in a growing holiday destination like Rainbow Beach.
Scotty is especially impressed by the air-conditioned camp kitchen! If that isn’t enough to pique your interest, there is a second camp kitchen which has its very own pizza oven. Is that camping luxury or not what?! The park is also pet friendly for those who can’t spend the weekend without their fur-babies!
Scotty spends the night in his swag at Inskip Point for this trip, though. He wakes up to the waves and sunrise. The perfect time for a coffee and some locally sourced bacon and eggs. It’s a breakfast he can polish off pretty quick, which is a good thing because the conditions are just right for some beach fishing.
Rainbow Beach is an angler’s paradise. There are plenty of good spots to fish on the shore with the family, but there are also some great fishing charters in the area if you want to head out and make a serious day of it.
