Great take on the camping permit/pre-booking topic paddy, totally agree! The money isn’t the issue, having to plan so far ahead sucks and often places like Bribie Island are pre booked weeks in advance and often no body even turns up to the spot spoiling the opportunity for others to experience it
Bribie is a great example, people will book a site for 2 weeks (roughly 7 bucks a night) *in case* they decide to go.. often people don't turn up which leaves the place booked to the gills weeks in advance with not many people onsite (excluding obvious easter hols etc) For some it's a cheap way to get some waterfront close to Brisbane and if they don't go they havent dropped a massive bundle of cash. There are varying solutions to this problem, I don't really know what the best way to go about it is but as it stands it's really not ideal..
Used to be first on site, pay at honesty box onsite, worked well and site was certainly yours. Problem: People didn't pay, "no cash". Ranger had to collect monies from honesty box making them vulnerable to armed theft. Problem with online booking, it would be acceptable if the sites had mobile service, but they don't, hence you can roll in, find a vacant site but you can't check if booked or not. Possibly revert to first in basis but payment must occur, question is implementing payment. Answer could be dedicated square with satellite connection instigated by N/P. Simple swipe of credit card, receipt on dash, as per on street parking. No cash to be collected. Obviously vandalism would end the bleeding obvious fix though, so we're stuck with pre booking pre paying. It's a pain in the arse. Recall going to K'gari once, only site available was Eli Creek fenced area, so booked a site within it, arrive and setup, no one else ever arrived, became obvious they book a site and camp wherever suits them. All sites except ours were vacant throughout our stay, WTF.
I honestly hate the booking system. NT has had it for a couple of years now. For the locals, you lose the spontaneity. You cant just decide on Friday to go camping on the weekend as all the sites are booked already. Some mates were planning on camping over the weekend after ANZAC day - all booked, then looked for May Day weekend - all booked, then Kings Birthday - all booked. Pretty much the only way you can do it now is if all your mates can take some leave and go when its quieter. Really not a fan
Then you go to those camps that are fully booked and its half empty. You have to book so far in advance to get a spot chances are your plans can change by then hence all the booked spots with no one in them. Absolute SHIT!!
Yep, absolutely HATE the pre booking system for camp sites. It simply doesn’t work for camping. It’s simply the worst system. Also, you forgot to mention the issue of people booking multiple sites at multiple camps to ensure they have flexibility, which leads to fully booked grounds being half empty and preventing genuine people from staying. A simple permit system for X number of days would be a lot better.
Wise decision not to tackle those tracks if you're uncomfortable doing it. I avoid tracks that I feel have a good chance of damaging my vehicle. A vehicle that I've invested a lot of time and money on. I think Liam needs to get an awning setup. To provide additional protection so that his swag isn't 100% exposed to the rain. Even as simple as a pegged down ground sheet placed on top of the swag to act as a fly should help. Another good episode - despite the weather.
Yep, booking sucks. Keep an eye on the central highlands surveys (VIC) happening at the moment, I strongly suggest you give your take.. before tomorrow. We need to keep public land for the people, not lock them up into "national park". We need to make it a reasonable system that both allows the natural world to thrive, allows recreation and prevents pests (blackberries, cats, foxes etc) from damaging the natural world.
Did you notice how many locals were on those Glasshouse tracks in the wet? 10,000 South East Queenslanders also chickened out. There is no shame in deciding not to destroy your vehicle, most of us don't have 24/7 sponsorship. Usually next to a National Park there will be a State Forest which will have less restrictions, and usually next to the State Forest will be a Local Gumment parkland which often has free overnight camping, usually restricted 1 or 2 nights.
In South Australia on the Yorke Peninsula you pay by the night for a permit and it gives you access to any campsite in the Yorke Peninsula. Eg you pay 60 bucks for 3 nights and each night you can be at a different site. Works well for me and my mates.
You guys are a long friggin way from home, correct decision, zero about it classifies you as chicken. My set up is to tour, as yours is. I recall disappointing a large group in Victoria as I wouldn't tackle a wild track in our then 76 as I wasn't about to break our vehicle midst a long tour. Aside from that I knew the 76 was limited in its ability, everyone thinks they're truly capable, so friggin wrong. Wild wheeling is for dedicated Vehicle, our choice was a Zook for me & 88 Hilux for son. Lots of fun, any damage not deal breaker.
It wasn’t always like that in qld, used to be a honest box where they had little huts with a form you fill out and you drop some cash off, and you camp, simple and easy
regarding booking of sites. we took a trip over christmas and had prebooked a few locations, weather changed and we had to change our route. one location we booked in NSW didnt have site specific booking but did have specific sites for specific types of setups - tents roof top tents camper trailers etc, when we arrived there was only 1 spot left suitable for a camper trailer because 2 of the 4 available spots were taken up by people with regular tents and roof top tents. if you are going to have type specific sites a prebooking system is absolutely needed if you dont then it should be more as you suggested a fee that covers you for the campground. the problem with it is people who book a site and never show up the simple solution to this some sort of penalty if you dont actually show up or cancel but i dont know how this could be implemented
If you ever wanna do Lithgow 4x4 tracks approximately 2hours West of Sydney there is a free camp ground a little futher west in Wallerawang it's beside a lake, dog friendly with hot showers, toilets absolutely no need to book just go with whatever you got tent caravan whatever. The only time it maybe busy is public holidays but even then you will find a spot. For a place close to National parks and some testing tracks for even the experienced with plumbed toilets not pits for absolutely no fuss, free camping there isn't many left....
Lake wallace? Really big camp area and spread out. Big weekends the place does get a little trashed (bathrooms especially) but it gets cleaned almost daily so not much of a problem
Speaking on nsw booking permits here, but that is a relic from covid days and needs to be axed. I don't even book anymore just rock up. people are booking out campsites months in advance for the off chance they might go for the measly $6 fee theyre happy to throw away. so many times i've rocked up to 'booked out' sites and its still got plenty of room. even more so in proper national parks where there isn't exactly designated campsites.
I agree with how bullshit it is to book campsites in NSW and qld but I normally stay in state Forrests and if I do stay in national parks I’ll rock up late in the arvo and pack up early before the rangers come and if they do come it looks like I’m driving through or stopping to eat, stuff paying and booking to camp!!
Hey guys! Heads up for any future trips, qld has a wet season hence more chance of rain. In winter, it can be fairly dry and sunny which is a much better time for things like camping. Feel free to give it another go in winter if it’s looking dry up there. 😁
Victorian here who has travelled extensively through WA, NT, Qld and NSW using their Parks booking systems. At first I didn't like the booking system at all for all the reasons you guys mentioned. However, after a while and as we got used to it, it does help give some certainty when you are travelling, especially during busy periods. You do have to plan your trips a bit more and it takes some of the spontaneity out of it at times too. Many of the camp grounds on the Qld and NSW parks websites do have pictures of the sites to give you an idea of what each site is like. The main issue is that some people book out sites and never turn up, meaning that there are usually a few sites (or as in the case of Cape Range in WA, most of the sites) are empty even though they say they are booked. That really sux.
I totally agree with the general consensus in the comments regarding booking sites. There are some good suggestions for better servicing the masses and unfortunately the few will always spoil it for the many. Now the challenge is to find an ear with the power to change it. Good luck with that one.
Like the booking system in NSW. The ones ive been to show pics of every site. Wikicamps also has good run downs in whats there. The number of times in the past i wanted to chuck a swag out at a camp and a group of yobbos drinking with music blaring n taking up the whole camp…. Sooo many times. Bookings let ya know if its gonna be crowded or empty. Can book sites next to ya to get extra space too. Theres pros n cons for both.
We have pre-booked camp sites in NSW National Parks, they brought it in when COVID started. It definitely has some advantages, especially in popular camp grounds or during busy periods, you can be pretty confident that you will get a spot at the camp site that you booked (assuming nobody comes and camps without booking), and can also get you a bit of an ideas as to how busy it will be (NSW NP will say how many spots are remaining when you go to book). But outside of those busy times, it is a pain in the ass. I don't make exact plans as to where I'm going to be on any given night, especially if I'm going to be in an area for multiple days, and it makes it hard to change plans on the fly. At least most camp sites (or at least the smaller/remote ones I like) are just a flat $6 booking fee, so I'll sometimes book two camp sites if I need to. I'm all for it on busy periods like long weekends and school holidays, but outside of those periods it'd be nice to not have to book.
New sub here. I'm glad you are still rocking your Kings stuff, you are absolutely right that the content by other creators has been done to death with the best of the best gear. I think wherever anyone sits on their opinion of Kings stuff and whether they use it, it's great content to see you go through some of your concerns, issues, fault finding and success with Kings gear! Keep doing what you are doing lads, thanks for the content!
Like you, I'm happy to pay to camp in national parks/state forest campsites to ensure they are maintained and facilities provided, but pre-booking makes it hard to be spontaneous on a trip. IMO Pre-booking is great to ensure you have a spot, but it's only ideal if you know the place well. But if you're new to the area and are exploring and/or don't know where you'll end up at a given time, pre-booking isn't ideal. The lack of reception is the biggest issue. Maybe it's time I invest in Starlink.
Far out boys, I would've been chuffed to lend a hand with travel tips, dry shelter to crash for a night or two and, also any maintenance with the rigs as I live in Maroochydore. Shame that the weather was bad, but glad you guys at least came to Sunshine Coast and ticked it off the list of places to visit.
I agree with you about the pre-book camp sites it's impossible to keep the dates booked if 4wding I think it might be ok for caravaning I could be wrong
Just to help people understand the camping booking on Fraser. Unless you want to stay in a fenced camping ground, you aren't booking a site but rather booking to stay in a zone if you want to beach front camp. The number allowed in a zone is very definite and our fishing group has on several occasions had to cut our stay short by 1 or 2 days, because there would have been 1 ( one ) too many people in that zone for the last night night . Yes, I kid you not. Pre-booking months ahead makes it very hard to have any idea where the fish might be as this is very dependent on the weather and we all know the only thing definite about a weather forecast is that it is sure to be wrong. As a result if you are there to fish and you pick the wrong zone, then you need to do a lot of driving to get to a spot where the fish are. This burns a lot of fuel and causes a lot of wear and tear on the tracks around the headlands. Just a hint for first time visitors, never aim to head home on Sunday, the Bruce Hwy car park is just that.
Proud of you boys and lady. Not many would show that things aren’t right without turning it into days of our lives. Sorry to see the problems. I know I’m old and don’t like new fandangled stuff. But, the only advantage of lead acid over lithium is they don’t die. You can always get them going again. I do understand the list of things lithium is better than lead. Keep up the good work and know your followers are behind you all
We have similar online booking system for Vic national parks, I use it a lot in the Otways, lots of free areas but a lot of excellent paid campsites that have to be booked online in advance but at least we don't have extra cost of park access YET !
Yep the pre booking in qld can suck when you haven't been before, definitely need photos of each site on the website. Straddie has a streetview style map where you can see each area, which is helpful.Pre booking is good if you know where you wanna be, that there will be an available site there for you.
I’ve dirtbike ridden everywhere in Glass House, and I’ve had a GU Patrol for over a year now and I’m happy to never do little red or big red, even most of the guys from 4wd/24/7 said no thanks. It’s definitely gnarly.
Don't worry about the booking system. Just buy an Aboriginal flag beanie and T-shirt & wear that in camp if & when the Ranger rolls up for their hand out. Tell'em, Always was, Always will be...FREE CAMPING ! If they question it, say your uncle is Bruce Pascoe.
In NZ the Department of Conservation allows people who have not booked to fill in a form with an envelop (to put cash in). You then put this into a locked donation box.
Great video guys in Vic there trying to change a lot and we really don't want this. Look up the central high lands, I've been pushing people to do the servey to keep them from changing it. We need it to say the way it is it, it's only going to get worse if we all don't take a stand now
after living in seqld for 10 years i learnt that there is 2 wet season, you don't plan anything for those 4 to 6 weeks of the year its going to rain just sucks that you didn't know that also its very prodictable when it happens
Yeah I agree on the pre-booking. They are starting to bring that in to some of the places here in WA too. One of our fave spots down south is switching over in June! I'm annoyed about that. I like the idea of a permit for an area and being able to move freely throughout that area. That to me sounds like a much better idea.
Totally agree with what your saying about campsites, it's ok if you know the stuff and bren to them before but if your travelling and exploring etc it's nice to see or have half an idea,
100% correct with the pre booking. I live in NSW, and it's a pain. If you turn up and the weather isn't playing the game you can't just shift to a better spot. I've done 2, 1 week trips down your way now, and the VHC is unreal, turn up, set up when and where you want. You guys are laughing 👍👍🍻🍻
I’m a little late but with the pay to camp thing. I agree it’s not about the money. When I do my big trips with multiple locations it’s near impossible to know where you are going to be at certain times. I’ve been days behind and a day or 2 ahead on certain trips. The best place that I found for camping was on kangaroo island. None of it was for free but with limited reception it was such a convince to be able to pay on site. They have little pay stations at every campsite that make it super simple to pay. If they want to charge us for camping they should make it much easier for campers. A simple national park/state forest camping permit would make it far better.
I think it should be just a pass you buy annually, and you have access to everything in that area and first comes first served. just chuck a little sticker on just like the old rego sticks you used to have on your windscreen. If you're a local you get a discount for your area but if you are caught without one you cop a big fine.
lol... "Don't Say Kings" 🤣 I'm doing some testing on some Kings Lithium batteries in a full time off grid power setup and "so far" they haven't faulted 👍
As a QLDer I agree with the booking system 😅 It's ridiculous haha But like you said, the only bonus is you're guaranteed a spot. It's just a constant gamble if it's good or not 🙃😅
Yes totally agree our Qld booking system is ridiculous for all the reasons you stated. Only advantage is being able to plan ahead,but that for your first camp only. Often you don’t know how long you wish to stay at each spot, as weather and conditions often vary!
Reckon the whole pre booked system is fine. Rain hail or shine that's the joy of camping/travelling to new spots. Luck of the draw really. I'll take a rainy day camping over a sunny day at work. Cheers guys
Western Australia the same is booked online and bloody expensive. Me and my dad it was $15 for me and my 80 year dad was $10. The most u pay in vic for a parks camp is $15 per car. But i will say the infrastructure at western oz camps are crazy. Also pre booking you find very popular sites that ppl book months out and then dont rock up thats a down fall for ppl that like to camp there but is booked out
Only two seasons up here fella’s dry and wet. Come back in the winter months our winter is like your autumn so Liam will be happy he won’t have to wear pants 😂
It's not mentioned anywhere on the kings website or instructions, but you can't mount those kings lithium batteries on their side, nearly always they shit the bed after 6 months in that config. You live and learn.
@@ktm91668 They sure can, just don't expect them to last any time at all on their side. I found out the hard way. It's happening to a lot of people with these new slimline lithiums lol.
Thanks for the insight in to National Parks in Qld/Nsw .... planing a trip to Morton later this year .... what a nightmare there system abosulity sucks . realy dose put you off from crossing the border . not good for their tourism ! Thanks for all the comments and insight of how to travel through these backwards states
I quite like the system tbh even though it has it's issues. Things seem to be so busy now that if you don't book you likely wouldn't have got in anyway and it stops people cramming into spots on top of others. I've also seen places where people will chuck up cheap tents on sites before a popular weekend so that others can't have them.
You guys missed out, Big and Little Red got dozed not long after you guys were there but at least you got to see it! Shame it wasn't dry but there are plenty of other tracks in glassy to play on definitely come back! Don't feel bad about not attempting it, its not worth it in the wet guys.
I'm going to Fraser in a couple of weeks from Tassie and for me, the booking system was horrendous! Like how am I supposed to know where I want to camp every single day in a place I've never been before?! Regardless, I've just booked 3 weeks of camping all around the island lol. But yes, for me, plans change nearly everyday when I'm camping and having to keep to this schedule of campsites is just going to be a pain in the arse. I've been to the cape two years in a row now and I absolutely love the camping situation up there, just turn up, pick a spot, stay as long as you want. How it should be.
There heaps of camping spots, just camp wherever and if you see a ranger (highly unlikely) just tell them you had car troubles or missed the tide which is why you aren’t at the other spot you booked. If you have young kids though you may want to book in fenced campsites because of the dingoes.
awesome video guys you guys are awesome ..yeah the rain is a pain in the ass for 4wding .. but things go wrong shit happens when camping / 4wding it is what it is thats what memories are made of like when your back home you can say that broke and broke rember that LOL.. but big thumbs up guys 👍😃👍
Hate pre-booked camp sites. I've been to sites, in the Simpson Desert, where they want you to book on line and we have had no mobile reception for the previous 24 hours. It just doesn't work.
Make sure you guys get under itnwhen you get home and stick the hose in as many holes in the chassis as you can those under body wash dont get much sand out of the chassis.
You're a couple of chickens. I drove big red in a Lada Niva on 29's 😂 Nah not really. You made the smart call not to try anything hectic. A long way from home with places to be & in the wet isn't the time to be brave. I've always wondered about that pre book camping system & it turns out my dubiousness is well founded. Might be OK if you've been there a bunch & know the sites but for travellers it's a lousy system. I'd be off on the state forests I reckon. Another cracking episode 🍻
I agree. I'd be happy to pay if it was easy and Parks actually do their job. In Vic it seems like parks do nothing. I've driven through popular camp spots in Vic and seen Parks drive right past rubbish that I have then stopped to pick up. We have amazing spots but people need to be kept to some accountability.
Moved up to nsw from vic. Hate the booking system for campsites. Not sure what it really achieves. Hate it soo much its enough to make me wanna move back to vic hahha
Booking system - pros and cons but if you know you will be somewhere at some time and want to know you will have a site then it makes sense. Maybe some places could have 20% non-bookable sites to cater for people who haven't booked
National camping license paid annually and you need to book in entire locations like ill be in glasshouse for 1 week and your rego can get checked to ensure youve paid and those who dont want to pay annually book separately
Its only good if they are asking a $6 reservation fees. Its hard to see how the campsite may look like before I visit, I try to check google reviews or maps for that info, sometimes it helps and sometimes don't.
Boys, it's just come to my attention that Big & Little Red tracks have been dozered into a gradual gradient since you visit. Yes Pat, you can now drive Big & Little Red with Liam, anyone can drive them now.
"Queensland update its still raining" boys it has almost rained every second day since November and it's may now. Wettest summer and autumn I can remember for a long time.
I used to have an older waeco 50 litre fridge that used to run 24/7 perfect then one camping trip on Australia Day long weekend it just died so off to the servo I went and filled it full of ice it’ll get you out of a shit situation and still keeps the important stuff the beer cold 😂 Yeah NSW bought in pre booked camping sites during covid and they have not taken it away since it’s annoying
honestly paying isnt an issues its like you said having to pick a sites spots, ive been to places where you book your camping grtounds but then pick any site or spot which i have no issue with especially when alot of the national parks are pretty affordable like 6-12 dollars a night
The camp booking system makes it difficult for people to who are only starting out with camping some places you need to book some places you can just show up some I think you need a national parks permit some you don’t. It makes it difficult because you not sure what you need and like you said when you don’t even know the conditions of the camp grounds or if you have any issues getting there
Great take on the camping permit/pre-booking topic paddy, totally agree! The money isn’t the issue, having to plan so far ahead sucks and often places like Bribie Island are pre booked weeks in advance and often no body even turns up to the spot spoiling the opportunity for others to experience it
Thanks mate!
Bribie is a great example, people will book a site for 2 weeks (roughly 7 bucks a night) *in case* they decide to go.. often people don't turn up which leaves the place booked to the gills weeks in advance with not many people onsite (excluding obvious easter hols etc) For some it's a cheap way to get some waterfront close to Brisbane and if they don't go they havent dropped a massive bundle of cash. There are varying solutions to this problem, I don't really know what the best way to go about it is but as it stands it's really not ideal..
Used to be first on site, pay at honesty box onsite, worked well and site was certainly yours.
Problem:
People didn't pay, "no cash". Ranger had to collect monies from honesty box making them vulnerable to armed theft.
Problem with online booking, it would be acceptable if the sites had mobile service, but they don't, hence you can roll in, find a vacant site but you can't check if booked or not.
Possibly revert to first in basis but payment must occur, question is implementing payment.
Answer could be dedicated square with satellite connection instigated by N/P.
Simple swipe of credit card, receipt on dash, as per on street parking.
No cash to be collected.
Obviously vandalism would end the bleeding obvious fix though, so we're stuck with pre booking pre paying.
It's a pain in the arse.
Recall going to K'gari once, only site available was Eli Creek fenced area, so booked a site within it, arrive and setup, no one else ever arrived, became obvious they book a site and camp wherever suits them. All sites except ours were vacant throughout our stay, WTF.
Rock up use it. You won’t end up in jail
@@OnlyGoodDaysCoNot worried about that so much as having to pack up and move if someone does turn up and claim it haha
I honestly hate the booking system. NT has had it for a couple of years now. For the locals, you lose the spontaneity. You cant just decide on Friday to go camping on the weekend as all the sites are booked already. Some mates were planning on camping over the weekend after ANZAC day - all booked, then looked for May Day weekend - all booked, then Kings Birthday - all booked. Pretty much the only way you can do it now is if all your mates can take some leave and go when its quieter. Really not a fan
Then you go to those camps that are fully booked and its half empty. You have to book so far in advance to get a spot chances are your plans can change by then hence all the booked spots with no one in them. Absolute SHIT!!
Bummer for the rain boys ! maybe next time !
Yep, absolutely HATE the pre booking system for camp sites. It simply doesn’t work for camping. It’s simply the worst system.
Also, you forgot to mention the issue of people booking multiple sites at multiple camps to ensure they have flexibility, which leads to fully booked grounds being half empty and preventing genuine people from staying.
A simple permit system for X number of days would be a lot better.
Wise decision not to tackle those tracks if you're uncomfortable doing it. I avoid tracks that I feel have a good chance of damaging my vehicle. A vehicle that I've invested a lot of time and money on. I think Liam needs to get an awning setup. To provide additional protection so that his swag isn't 100% exposed to the rain. Even as simple as a pegged down ground sheet placed on top of the swag to act as a fly should help. Another good episode - despite the weather.
Yep, booking sucks. Keep an eye on the central highlands surveys (VIC) happening at the moment, I strongly suggest you give your take.. before tomorrow. We need to keep public land for the people, not lock them up into "national park". We need to make it a reasonable system that both allows the natural world to thrive, allows recreation and prevents pests (blackberries, cats, foxes etc) from damaging the natural world.
National Parks & nature reserves are havens for weeds & feral pests.
Did you notice how many locals were on those Glasshouse tracks in the wet?
10,000 South East Queenslanders also chickened out.
There is no shame in deciding not to destroy your vehicle, most of us don't have 24/7 sponsorship.
Usually next to a National Park there will be a State Forest which will have less restrictions, and usually next to the State Forest will be a Local Gumment parkland which often has free overnight camping, usually restricted 1 or 2 nights.
In South Australia on the Yorke Peninsula you pay by the night for a permit and it gives you access to any campsite in the Yorke Peninsula. Eg you pay 60 bucks for 3 nights and each night you can be at a different site. Works well for me and my mates.
Glasshouse / Big Red + lotsa rain + 2,000klms from home....yeah nah! Not chickens at all!
Yeah it's not like they're a 20 minute car trailer back home away
You guys are a long friggin way from home, correct decision, zero about it classifies you as chicken.
My set up is to tour, as yours is. I recall disappointing a large group in Victoria as I wouldn't tackle a wild track in our then 76 as I wasn't about to break our vehicle midst a long tour. Aside from that I knew the 76 was limited in its ability, everyone thinks they're truly capable, so friggin wrong.
Wild wheeling is for dedicated Vehicle, our choice was a Zook for me & 88 Hilux for son.
Lots of fun, any damage not deal breaker.
I thought it rained in Victoria all the time and you guys were used to it😂
It wasn’t always like that in qld, used to be a honest box where they had little huts with a form you fill out and you drop some cash off, and you camp, simple and easy
regarding booking of sites. we took a trip over christmas and had prebooked a few locations, weather changed and we had to change our route. one location we booked in NSW didnt have site specific booking but did have specific sites for specific types of setups - tents roof top tents camper trailers etc, when we arrived there was only 1 spot left suitable for a camper trailer because 2 of the 4 available spots were taken up by people with regular tents and roof top tents. if you are going to have type specific sites a prebooking system is absolutely needed if you dont then it should be more as you suggested a fee that covers you for the campground. the problem with it is people who book a site and never show up the simple solution to this some sort of penalty if you dont actually show up or cancel but i dont know how this could be implemented
If you ever wanna do Lithgow 4x4 tracks approximately 2hours West of Sydney there is a free camp ground a little futher west in Wallerawang it's beside a lake, dog friendly with hot showers, toilets absolutely no need to book just go with whatever you got tent caravan whatever. The only time it maybe busy is public holidays but even then you will find a spot. For a place close to National parks and some testing tracks for even the experienced with plumbed toilets not pits for absolutely no fuss, free camping there isn't many left....
Lake wallace?
Really big camp area and spread out. Big weekends the place does get a little trashed (bathrooms especially) but it gets cleaned almost daily so not much of a problem
@@simonmckenzie6228
They have baths?
@@grahameroberts8109 no baths
Speaking on nsw booking permits here, but that is a relic from covid days and needs to be axed. I don't even book anymore just rock up. people are booking out campsites months in advance for the off chance they might go for the measly $6 fee theyre happy to throw away. so many times i've rocked up to 'booked out' sites and its still got plenty of room. even more so in proper national parks where there isn't exactly designated campsites.
I’m from Queensland and I completely agree. Just spent a month in VIC camping and it was amazing. Clean, maintained and all free.
Loved it boys! Even though you didn't get to do everything you wanted. Keen to see it next time!
I agree with how bullshit it is to book campsites in NSW and qld but I normally stay in state Forrests and if I do stay in national parks I’ll rock up late in the arvo and pack up early before the rangers come and if they do come it looks like I’m driving through or stopping to eat, stuff paying and booking to camp!!
Yeah others will pay so that you can use the facilities and pay staff on the bludge.
They should just have both, 50/50 sites booked/unbooked. Its great being able to book and guarantee your site if you know where you are going to be.
Hey guys! Heads up for any future trips, qld has a wet season hence more chance of rain. In winter, it can be fairly dry and sunny which is a much better time for things like camping. Feel free to give it another go in winter if it’s looking dry up there. 😁
Another Great Episode. The weather hasn't been kind to campers up there. Hopefully, it improves, and you can enjoy the rest of the trip.
Victorian here who has travelled extensively through WA, NT, Qld and NSW using their Parks booking systems. At first I didn't like the booking system at all for all the reasons you guys mentioned. However, after a while and as we got used to it, it does help give some certainty when you are travelling, especially during busy periods. You do have to plan your trips a bit more and it takes some of the spontaneity out of it at times too. Many of the camp grounds on the Qld and NSW parks websites do have pictures of the sites to give you an idea of what each site is like. The main issue is that some people book out sites and never turn up, meaning that there are usually a few sites (or as in the case of Cape Range in WA, most of the sites) are empty even though they say they are booked. That really sux.
I totally agree with the general consensus in the comments regarding booking sites. There are some good suggestions for better servicing the masses and unfortunately the few will always spoil it for the many. Now the challenge is to find an ear with the power to change it. Good luck with that one.
Like the booking system in NSW. The ones ive been to show pics of every site. Wikicamps also has good run downs in whats there. The number of times in the past i wanted to chuck a swag out at a camp and a group of yobbos drinking with music blaring n taking up the whole camp…. Sooo many times. Bookings let ya know if its gonna be crowded or empty. Can book sites next to ya to get extra space too. Theres pros n cons for both.
Great video today, glad to see your own limitations and sensibility as well keeping things safe.
We have pre-booked camp sites in NSW National Parks, they brought it in when COVID started. It definitely has some advantages, especially in popular camp grounds or during busy periods, you can be pretty confident that you will get a spot at the camp site that you booked (assuming nobody comes and camps without booking), and can also get you a bit of an ideas as to how busy it will be (NSW NP will say how many spots are remaining when you go to book). But outside of those busy times, it is a pain in the ass. I don't make exact plans as to where I'm going to be on any given night, especially if I'm going to be in an area for multiple days, and it makes it hard to change plans on the fly. At least most camp sites (or at least the smaller/remote ones I like) are just a flat $6 booking fee, so I'll sometimes book two camp sites if I need to.
I'm all for it on busy periods like long weekends and school holidays, but outside of those periods it'd be nice to not have to book.
New sub here. I'm glad you are still rocking your Kings stuff, you are absolutely right that the content by other creators has been done to death with the best of the best gear. I think wherever anyone sits on their opinion of Kings stuff and whether they use it, it's great content to see you go through some of your concerns, issues, fault finding and success with Kings gear! Keep doing what you are doing lads, thanks for the content!
Like you, I'm happy to pay to camp in national parks/state forest campsites to ensure they are maintained and facilities provided, but pre-booking makes it hard to be spontaneous on a trip. IMO Pre-booking is great to ensure you have a spot, but it's only ideal if you know the place well. But if you're new to the area and are exploring and/or don't know where you'll end up at a given time, pre-booking isn't ideal. The lack of reception is the biggest issue. Maybe it's time I invest in Starlink.
Far out boys, I would've been chuffed to lend a hand with travel tips, dry shelter to crash for a night or two and, also any maintenance with the rigs as I live in Maroochydore. Shame that the weather was bad, but glad you guys at least came to Sunshine Coast and ticked it off the list of places to visit.
I agree with you about the pre-book camp sites it's impossible to keep the dates booked if 4wding I think it might be ok for caravaning I could be wrong
Great vid, can’t wait to see sundown. Awesome seeing you guys in my area
Come on guys, even the worst holiday is better than work. Look forward to the next one 👍👍
Just to help people understand the camping booking on Fraser. Unless you want to stay in a fenced camping ground, you aren't booking a site but rather booking to stay in a zone if you want to beach front camp. The number allowed in a zone is very definite and our fishing group has on several occasions had to cut our stay short by 1 or 2 days, because there would have been 1 ( one ) too many people in that zone for the last night night . Yes, I kid you not. Pre-booking months ahead makes it very hard to have any idea where the fish might be as this is very dependent on the weather and we all know the only thing definite about a weather forecast is that it is sure to be wrong. As a result if you are there to fish and you pick the wrong zone, then you need to do a lot of driving to get to a spot where the fish are. This burns a lot of fuel and causes a lot of wear and tear on the tracks around the headlands. Just a hint for first time visitors, never aim to head home on Sunday, the Bruce Hwy car park is just that.
Tbh I never bother paying for the campsite cause the ranger never comes out but I probably go a bit remote
Proud of you boys and lady.
Not many would show that things aren’t right without turning it into days of our lives.
Sorry to see the problems.
I know I’m old and don’t like new fandangled stuff.
But, the only advantage of lead acid over lithium is they don’t die. You can always get them going again.
I do understand the list of things lithium is better than lead.
Keep up the good work and know your followers are behind you all
We have similar online booking system for Vic national parks, I use it a lot in the Otways, lots of free areas but a lot of excellent paid campsites that have to be booked online in advance but at least we don't have extra cost of park access YET !
Yep the pre booking in qld can suck when you haven't been before, definitely need photos of each site on the website. Straddie has a streetview style map where you can see each area, which is helpful.Pre booking is good if you know where you wanna be, that there will be an available site there for you.
I’ve dirtbike ridden everywhere in Glass House, and I’ve had a GU Patrol for over a year now and I’m happy to never do little red or big red, even most of the guys from 4wd/24/7 said no thanks. It’s definitely gnarly.
Don't worry about the booking system. Just buy an Aboriginal flag beanie and T-shirt & wear that in camp if & when the Ranger rolls up for their hand out. Tell'em, Always was, Always will be...FREE CAMPING ! If they question it, say your uncle is Bruce Pascoe.
Love this 😂
In NZ the Department of Conservation allows people who have not booked to fill in a form with an envelop (to put cash in). You then put this into a locked donation box.
How it used to be in qld before they brought the online booking in
Hey I live in ballandean and you guys stopped in front of the fire shed aha nice stuff
Great video guys in Vic there trying to change a lot and we really don't want this.
Look up the central high lands, I've been pushing people to do the servey to keep them from changing it. We need it to say the way it is it, it's only going to get worse if we all don't take a stand now
after living in seqld for 10 years i learnt that there is 2 wet season, you don't plan anything for those 4 to 6 weeks of the year its going to rain
just sucks that you didn't know that
also its very prodictable when it happens
Yeah I agree on the pre-booking. They are starting to bring that in to some of the places here in WA too. One of our fave spots down south is switching over in June! I'm annoyed about that. I like the idea of a permit for an area and being able to move freely throughout that area. That to me sounds like a much better idea.
Totally agree with what your saying about campsites, it's ok if you know the stuff and bren to them before but if your travelling and exploring etc it's nice to see or have half an idea,
100% correct with the pre booking. I live in NSW, and it's a pain. If you turn up and the weather isn't playing the game you can't just shift to a better spot.
I've done 2, 1 week trips down your way now, and the VHC is unreal, turn up, set up when and where you want.
You guys are laughing 👍👍🍻🍻
This is a legit show and need to be picked up by main stream tv keep it up boys your going todo well
Unreal video boy’s! Looks like Liam should convert to that V shape roof top! Great option and would suit the patrol!
Keep it the way it's always been.
First in gets the camp .
Cheers guys
I’m a little late but with the pay to camp thing. I agree it’s not about the money. When I do my big trips with multiple locations it’s near impossible to know where you are going to be at certain times. I’ve been days behind and a day or 2 ahead on certain trips. The best place that I found for camping was on kangaroo island. None of it was for free but with limited reception it was such a convince to be able to pay on site. They have little pay stations at every campsite that make it super simple to pay. If they want to charge us for camping they should make it much easier for campers. A simple national park/state forest camping permit would make it far better.
I think it should be just a pass you buy annually, and you have access to everything in that area and first comes first served. just chuck a little sticker on just like the old rego sticks you used to have on your windscreen. If you're a local you get a discount for your area but if you are caught without one you cop a big fine.
Hi guys, another good show. Totally agree about the booking system in Queensland, it totally sux😩
Totally agree on the booking system. It is so frustrating and we have been caught out so many times.
I feel ya boys, just did Fraser got rained on for 4/5 days and now rain all the way home down the east coast. Treat yaself
lol... "Don't Say Kings" 🤣
I'm doing some testing on some Kings Lithium batteries in a full time off grid power setup and "so far" they haven't faulted 👍
As a QLDer I agree with the booking system 😅 It's ridiculous haha But like you said, the only bonus is you're guaranteed a spot. It's just a constant gamble if it's good or not 🙃😅
Yes totally agree our
Qld booking system is ridiculous for all the reasons you stated. Only advantage is being able to plan ahead,but that for your first camp only. Often you don’t know how long you wish to stay at each spot, as weather and conditions often vary!
I agree with paying for a permit to camp in an area, like a particular state forest, but then, when and where you camp within that should be flexible.
Reckon the whole pre booked system is fine. Rain hail or shine that's the joy of camping/travelling to new spots. Luck of the draw really. I'll take a rainy day camping over a sunny day at work. Cheers guys
Western Australia the same is booked online and bloody expensive. Me and my dad it was $15 for me and my 80 year dad was $10. The most u pay in vic for a parks camp is $15 per car. But i will say the infrastructure at western oz camps are crazy. Also pre booking you find very popular sites that ppl book months out and then dont rock up thats a down fall for ppl that like to camp there but is booked out
Pre booking works if you've been before. I agree with you though, its a huge gamble when you're foreign to the area
Only two seasons up here fella’s dry and wet. Come back in the winter months our winter is like your autumn so Liam will be happy he won’t have to wear pants 😂
12:30
Liam having a serious talk to himself in his head about to drive it or not drive it 😂
The voices almost won 🥇
I hope u guys do more trips in the future
It's not mentioned anywhere on the kings website or instructions, but you can't mount those kings lithium batteries on their side, nearly always they shit the bed after 6 months in that config. You live and learn.
Lithium battery's can be mounted in eny orientation.
@@ktm91668 They sure can, just don't expect them to last any time at all on their side. I found out the hard way. It's happening to a lot of people with these new slimline lithiums lol.
Is there a video on Liam's patrol Dash setup? It looks great with the center extra dash top.
Thanks for the insight in to National Parks in Qld/Nsw .... planing a trip to Morton later this year .... what a nightmare there system abosulity sucks . realy dose put you off from crossing the border . not good for their tourism ! Thanks for all the comments and insight of how to travel through these backwards states
National parks can go and get rooted! Unless I ABSOLUTELY have to, I always go to state forests
It’s actually been 5 months of rain here in SE Queensland.
you could do big and little red now😅
Hell yeah shed life shirt. Iam from Gippsland and every time I go to Qld it bloody rains.
I quite like the system tbh even though it has it's issues.
Things seem to be so busy now that if you don't book you likely wouldn't have got in anyway and it stops people cramming into spots on top of others.
I've also seen places where people will chuck up cheap tents on sites before a popular weekend so that others can't have them.
yup, we hate the booking systems
and good call on skipping the tracks. they're sketchy enough in the dry!
Great vid boys. Steve 🇦🇺
It’s like that in every state, Victoria must be completely different to everywhere else in Australia.?
You guys missed out, Big and Little Red got dozed not long after you guys were there but at least you got to see it! Shame it wasn't dry but there are plenty of other tracks in glassy to play on definitely come back!
Don't feel bad about not attempting it, its not worth it in the wet guys.
Thanks for sharing lads. This is a good reminder to not head north from Vic until after May (me thinks ;) ) cheers
I'm going to Fraser in a couple of weeks from Tassie and for me, the booking system was horrendous! Like how am I supposed to know where I want to camp every single day in a place I've never been before?! Regardless, I've just booked 3 weeks of camping all around the island lol. But yes, for me, plans change nearly everyday when I'm camping and having to keep to this schedule of campsites is just going to be a pain in the arse. I've been to the cape two years in a row now and I absolutely love the camping situation up there, just turn up, pick a spot, stay as long as you want. How it should be.
There heaps of camping spots, just camp wherever and if you see a ranger (highly unlikely) just tell them you had car troubles or missed the tide which is why you aren’t at the other spot you booked. If you have young kids though you may want to book in fenced campsites because of the dingoes.
awesome video guys you guys are awesome ..yeah the rain is a pain in the ass for 4wding .. but things go wrong shit happens when camping / 4wding it is what it is thats what memories are made of like when your back home you can say that broke and broke rember that LOL.. but big thumbs up guys 👍😃👍
Hate pre-booked camp sites. I've been to sites, in the Simpson Desert, where they want you to book on line and we have had no mobile reception for the previous 24 hours. It just doesn't work.
Perfect timing before I go to work
We have to book for some sites in w.a if they had a pic of "number 10 site" it would make it sooo much easier
It hasn't stopped raining in QLD since December last year I think most people are over the rain bring on the sunshine.
Make sure you guys get under itnwhen you get home and stick the hose in as many holes in the chassis as you can those under body wash dont get much sand out of the chassis.
It's been raining on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa all year it feels like
If you have too much rain please send some to Namibia.
You're a couple of chickens. I drove big red in a Lada Niva on 29's 😂
Nah not really. You made the smart call not to try anything hectic. A long way from home with places to be & in the wet isn't the time to be brave.
I've always wondered about that pre book camping system & it turns out my dubiousness is well founded. Might be OK if you've been there a bunch & know the sites but for travellers it's a lousy system. I'd be off on the state forests I reckon.
Another cracking episode 🍻
Looking like victoria is attempting to implement a booking systems all over..
I agree. I'd be happy to pay if it was easy and Parks actually do their job. In Vic it seems like parks do nothing. I've driven through popular camp spots in Vic and seen Parks drive right past rubbish that I have then stopped to pick up.
We have amazing spots but people need to be kept to some accountability.
Moved up to nsw from vic. Hate the booking system for campsites. Not sure what it really achieves. Hate it soo much its enough to make me wanna move back to vic hahha
Booking system - pros and cons but if you know you will be somewhere at some time and want to know you will have a site then it makes sense. Maybe some places could have 20% non-bookable sites to cater for people who haven't booked
National camping license paid annually and you need to book in entire locations like ill be in glasshouse for 1 week and your rego can get checked to ensure youve paid and those who dont want to pay annually book separately
Its only good if they are asking a $6 reservation fees. Its hard to see how the campsite may look like before I visit, I try to check google reviews or maps for that info, sometimes it helps and sometimes don't.
Oh well i just seen a post you should be able to do Big Red and Little Red in a stock vehicle
Boys, it's just come to my attention that Big & Little Red tracks have been dozered into a gradual gradient since you visit. Yes Pat, you can now drive Big & Little Red with Liam, anyone can drive them now.
"Queensland update its still raining" boys it has almost rained every second day since November and it's may now. Wettest summer and autumn I can remember for a long time.
I used to have an older waeco 50 litre fridge that used to run 24/7 perfect then one camping trip on Australia Day long weekend it just died so off to the servo I went and filled it full of ice it’ll get you out of a shit situation and still keeps the important stuff the beer cold 😂
Yeah NSW bought in pre booked camping sites during covid and they have not taken it away since it’s annoying
Any chance mounting the battery under the tray and exposed contributes to the issues
Great video - I just went to Grampians and had to book. VIC?
honestly paying isnt an issues its like you said having to pick a sites spots, ive been to places where you book your camping grtounds but then pick any site or spot which i have no issue with especially when alot of the national parks are pretty affordable like 6-12 dollars a night
The camp booking system makes it difficult for people to who are only starting out with camping some places you need to book some places you can just show up some I think you need a national parks permit some you don’t. It makes it difficult because you not sure what you need and like you said when you don’t even know the conditions of the camp grounds or if you have any issues getting there
Why do you find that ocam single swag? 16:27