Growing up in a large family living on the beach in the Philippines, Mallie is naturally no stranger to the outdoor lifestyle. Likewise, Jack who spent twenty odd years travelling the Australian bush as a woolclasser, shares Mallie’s love for camping, travel and communing with nature.

At this moment our case studies are preparing for the big one. The big lap of Australia. In the meantime, this post is a reflection on their past camping set ups and some of Jack’s over the top effort to create the perfect portable home.

The Little Tent

Let’s start off small.

In the beginning Jack found a little tent in the local Op shop just to see if Mallie would enjoy some crayfishing in the Murray River at Torrumbarry.

We need a Fire Pit

Jack considered it would be much nicer to cook up off the ground, so after a couple of weekends in the shed it was time to test the fire pit barbeque.

Unfortunately, Jack read the National Park Rules after he finished making the fire pit and it was not permitted along the Murray River, so it never left the back yard!

Let’s get Fair Dinkum – The Big tent.

By the end of 2009, Jack had acquired a magnificent two roomed canvas tent!

To compliment the luxurious big tent, a wood fired hot water service with petrol water pump provided the entire camp with a steaming hot shower each morning.

When fully set up, the big tent provided a very comfortable camp. A full awning covered the kitchen benches and incredibly it all packed into a 7′ x 5′ box trailer (2100mm x 1500mm).

Many hours of labour and questionable language went into the completion of the big tent project.

Sadly Mallie did not love the Big Tent as much as Jack did and after the 2014 trip to Moama, it was sold off.

All the comforts of a home fit for a queen, packed up for the final run back to Bendigo.

OK, What about a camper trailer?

With the recently purchased a 7′ x 5′ box trailer in mind, Jack began laying awake in the small hours of the morning planning a way to incorporate the trailer into their next camping accommodation.

After testing the prototype and ascertaining the trailer was fit for the purpose, Jack was back in the shed on his days off work until the home made camper was ready for road.

Despite a slightly ungainly outward appearance, the Camping Trailer was very comfortable to sleep in and once again all pack away securely into the trailer.

Come winter or summer the camping trailer was up to the task! Funnily enough, no matter where it was set up, other campers never seem to crowd around it. Hmmm?

The blackwolf turbo tent 210

A well-made little tent, just a faction too small to comfortably accommodate a queen size bed. Pictured below is the 2100mm x 2100mm tent that Jack and Mallie used occasionally as did some visitors including brother Eugene (Thomas) at Picnic Point, Mathoura, New South Wales.

During the winter of 2017, Jack decided to scrap the camper trailer and work on a new camping configuration for their up coming road tour.

The Oztrail touring tent

In late July 2017 Jack and Mallie took off for a six week road trip from Bendigo to Darwin via Queensland returning down the Stuart Highway through South Australia.

A highlight of the road trip was enjoying a few days on Frazer Island, now known as K’gari.

A very easy tent to pitch with good ventilation.

The Franklin Hunter

In the spring of 2017, Jack and Mallie acquired a 1972 Franklin Hunter. Jack spent a few months preparing the caravan prior to the maiden voyage, just out the road to Lake Eppalock. Four hours later the van was practically wiped out in a hailstorm as was our friend’s car!

After a few repairs, Jack and Mallie set off in May 2018 for Western Australia.

So many adventures and wonderful memories were created with the Franklin including the epic trip from Bendigo to Exmouth and returning during 2018.

Read all about the Bendigo to Exmouth trip: https://jackandmallie.wordpress.com/

The (Five Star) Swag

On overnight fishing trips and after the Franklin Hunter was sold, Jack and Mallie enjoyed some close to nature camping in a Kings Big Daddy Double Swag.

To ensure a good night’s sleep, Jack added an air mattress beneath the swag and to protect against inclement weather a good quality tarp above.

The Jayco Journey Outback

Today, a very grateful Jack and Mallie feel blessed to enjoy camping in their Jayco Journey Outback 19.6-2.

Jack’s earlier Caravans

The Coronet

This lovely 1970s Coronet caravan was purchased from a gentleman in Cohuna, Victoria on Christmas Eve 1993. After towing the van back to Lockington, Jack was astonished to discovered the Crockford family from Lockington were the original owners of the van.

The York

Initially purchased for going fishing and camping this very preloved early 1970’s York Caravan, on two occasions provided temporary accommodation for Jack whilst working in Melbourne.

Thanks for reading, happy travels!