Liquid Life and Leisure - November by Liquid Life & Leisure

NOVEMBER liquidlifeandleisure.com.au Food Ladder Page 12

PROSTON PAGE 42

STOP SHOP SUPPORT PAGE 56

CLINTS FARM PAGE 72

1800 991 169

JB Caravans have become a leader in caravan manufacturing in Australia. Since our humble beginnings in 2010 we have worked hard to produce the best quality product while maintaining a price that is affordable. Why should you choose a JB Caravan over anything else on the market?

JB Caravans are fully manufactured in Australia We manufacture all our caravans from our we are able to keep our prices down while providing the highest quality caravan on the market today. Our factory is equipped with the latest manufacturing machinery and technology, and we will continue to ensure that we stay ahead of the pack by keeping up to date with the latest in construction methods.

Our workmanship is the best in the industry We pride ourselves on having the best people working on our caravans, ensuring the highest quality workmanship. Our workforce is highly skilled, with many years of caravan manufacturing experience. Each caravan is assembled piece by piece which ensures our quality control.

We listen to what you want You, the customer, are the expert. You are out there travelling in the caravans and we pride ourselves on being able to listen and learn from buyers about what you want in a modern caravan.

Luxury doesn’t have to stay at home Our caravans are your home away from home, that means you don’t have to forgo life’s little luxuries when you are travelling. JB Caravans partner with some of the best product and appliance suppliers around, making sure you have everything you need.

When you drive out of the showroom it’s just the start of our relationship JB Caravans ensure our customers are supported with their caravan at every step. Whether it’s repairs, warranty, insurance or just maintenance our service centres are on hand to get you back on the road as fast as possible.

We are part of the community JB Caravans have a strong connection to the community. Through our social program we work with organisations such as The Blue Light foundation and Women in Policing.

If you want to easily monitor the pressures in both your airbags from the comfort of your own vehicle, then this is the perfect solution for you. Plug & Play Wireless Dual Air Pressure Monitoring Gauge. This 12 Volt Plug n Play gauge is compatible with all our Air Suspension kits whether it be airbags on your vehicle or trailer you can easily monitor the pressures in both Airbags from the comfort of your vehicle. Another awesome feature is the user savable high and low pressure alarms, to ensure that you are notified right away when there is a drop below your minimum or increase past your maximum pressure. The subtle alarm can also be muted for your convenience via the display.

The pressures can be easily set by you, to suit the minimum & maximum pressures specified in your vehicle specific air suspension kit. Not only does this monitor pressure it also has a Built in voltage display which can be viewed by pushing the left hand button of the gauge. The Wireless gauge comes in complete kit form including Pressure Sensors, O-Rings, Lithium Batteries, Fitting Tools & Fitting Instructions. A few other neat features include adjustable display angle, Subtle display light perfect for night driving & can be added to existing Airbag Man On Board Air Supply Kits.

FEATURES: • • • • •

•

12V PLUG & PLAY WIRELESS PRESSURE GAUGE NO WIRING REQUIRED, WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY 0-150 PSI PRESSURE RANGE FITTINGS KIT & INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED SUITABLE FOR AIRBAG VEHICLE SUSPENSION OR VEHICLE TO AIRBAG TRAILER SUSPENSION MONITORING PLUGS STRAIGHT INTO YOUR POWER OUTLET (CIGARETTE LIGHTER)

• • • • • •

INFLATION VALVE OR 1/8” NPT SENSOR MOUNTING OPTION CAN BE ADDED ONTO EXISTING AIRBAG MAN ON BOARD AIR SUPPLY KITS 20 METRE SIGNAL RANGE USER SAVEABLE HIGH & LOW PRESSURE ALARMS ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY ANGLE BUILT-IN VOLTAGE DISPLAY

NOVEMBER 2019 ON THE COVER Food Ladder 12 Environmentally sustainable solution to food security Proston 42 Why not visit? Small Towns, Big Personalities 56 Stop, Shop and Support BUSINESS PROFILES Trail-a-mate 8 Must have caravan accessory Caravan and Camping Hire 28 Book your next holiday Clint’s Farm Fresh Produce 72 Supporting our farmers USUAL SUSPECTS Podcast 9 Check out, tune in and enjoy Let’s Go Caravan & Camping 11 Reasons to take the kids on a camping/caravan trip Everything Caravan and Camping 60 Lisa’s Mediterranean damper SPECIAL FEATURES Kool Kampers 38 A night at Wolfe Creek Green Caffeen 48 Swap and go coffee cups Cooking on the road 52 Easy, health ideas Bush’n It on a Budget 62 Eyre Peninsula

from the editor...... G’day LL&L Legends,

Can you believe we are into the second half of the year We are well and truly into the final chapters of 2019 that is for sure. What a year it has been. We have seen so many families travelling OZ and sharing Life & Leisure their favourite places, most Liquid useful products and most Team importantly friendships formed. Editor As one travels the country or even sits down to watch the Hayley Taylor news, the issue of drought continues to worsen. This edition of the magazine introduces a couple of sections Director that we will be continuing throughout into future editions, Ben CharityThis one being our “stop, shop and support” section. focuses on those little towns that not only need you to stop, shop and support – but guess National what? WeSales all need these little Manager towns. Dan Charity Have you stopped and really thought what your road trips, your lap of the map or weekend away would truly look like if Design you couldn’t pull up for fuel, water, kids snacks, break Flourish Designtoilet Studio and so on in these little towns that are the gateway to your “big picture destination”?

Liquid Life & Leisure Headquarters

These little towns although are not the focus and the talking point of your family trip to the West or your trip to the East, Phone North, or South, but they should be.(07) These towns 5580 4988connect us no matter what corner of Australia we reside and want to travel to and you can learn a lot from these towns and their Address locals. PO BOX 1076, Sanctuary Cove Q 4212 There has never been a time these need usCoast more. Hopetowns Island, Gold As their expenses rise ensure to shop local, put money and spend back into their little towns. Websites www.liquidlifeandleisure.com.au This edition showcases some great farmers markets, towns and other programs and initiatives to get behind support and read up on and just maybe your next tripEmail may just look a little differently. Little changes can make enormous differcontent@liquidlifeandleisure.com.au ences.

Advertising As always we have our great reads from our families travelling, we have somecontent@liquidlifeandleisure.com.au awesome products, and some cooking tips and recipes. All in all we reckon you are going to love it, so be sure to sit Deadline for Content: 15th of every month back, kick back and enjoy. Living & Loving Life

Hayles xoxo

Contributors Yasmin & Leigh - Family Gap Year Dan & Fee - Ozzy Wide Ozzy Pride Kelly Gudgeon - Destination and Travel

Liquid Life & Leisure Team Editor Hayley Taylor Director Ben Charity Strategic Partnership Manager Kelly Gudgeon Design

Graffitz Design Co

Flourish Design Studio

Liquid Life & Leisure Headquarters Phone (07) 5580 4988 Address PO BOX 1076, Sanctuary Cove Q 4212 Hope Island, Gold Coast Websites www.liquidlifeandleisure.com.au Email content@liquidlifeandleisure.com.au Advertising content@liquidlifeandleisure.com.au Deadline for Content: 15th of every month Contributors Rebecca Clark - The Food Junkie Dan & Fee - -Ozzy Wide Ozzy Kelly Gudgeon Destination andPride Travel

LIQUID LIFE & LEISURE

Older caravans will still need to get

Why choose a Trail-A-Mate

the brackets welded on. The people at Trail-A-Mate tell us

Here at LLL headquarters we see

that because there are now so many

thousands of products that claim to

Aussies who have seen the virtues

make caravanning easier and safer.

of caravanning, from grey nomads,

Trail-A-Mate is one such product that really does live up to the hype. Trail-A-Mate is a Hydraulic jockey wheel that converts to a jack and it really is as easy as swapping the wheel for a solid base plate. The jack gives you the ability to jack up a caravan with an aggregated mass (ATM) of up to 2,900kg. For caravans weighing over this there is a Trail-A-Mate Mark II that will meet your needs.

Trail-A-Mate is fully compliant with the Australian mandatory safety standards and with more than 160

to travelling families and everyone in between, it was important to have a product that anyone can use.

accidents in Australia each year from They say that it’s so easy to use incorrect usage of jacks, this is really because it’s hydraulic, so anyone important.

can operate it with minimum effort and from a standing position, which

It’s not worth the risk of using a jack incorrectly when it can mean death or injuries that result in amputation or fractures from being crushed under the weight of a vehicle that has fallen off a jack.

will definitely save your back! Also important is having the jockey wheel and jack as one piece of equipment, which minimises what you need to pack. That means more space for that extra fishing rod.

It’s not just caravans that the Trail-A-Mate can be used for though. It can be used on any trailer, horse float, motor home or food van and over the last few years caravan manufacturers have begun to fit the Trail-A-Mate engagement fittings to the chassis, making it even easier to use. 233 Shepherds Hill Road Eden Hills SA 5050 Phone: (08) 8278 5107 | Email: info@trail-a-mate.com.au

T S A PODC LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW AT WWW.liquidlifeandleisure.com.au/podcasts/

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Reasons to take the kids on a caravan or camping trip Now that we are heading toward the end of the school year and the beginning of the holiday season, many families are beginning to make plans for the upcoming summer break. If you haven’t locked in anything yet, why not consider a family caravan or camping trip? Packing up the kids, the camping gear, and all of your supplies might seem like a daunting task, but there are a lot of reasons why caravan and camping trips are a great option for all types of families! • It’s an affordable holiday option. We all know that summer and the holiday season can be an expensive time of year, and it’s no secret that costs quickly add up when you’re travelling with kids. That’s one of the positives of camping! You can book a cheap site at a holiday park, cook all of your own food, and the kids will have hours of entertainment in nature’s playground! • You can choose your own adventure at your own pace. If you’ve got a long break ahead of you and access to a caravan, make the most of it and set your own adventure! We’ve all heard the old saying ‘it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey’, and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to caravanning. • Kids can learn in a real-life classroom. Even if you’re travelling in school holidays, caravan and camping trips are a fantastic learning opportunity. Some of the most important lessons take place outside of typical learning environments, and caravan and camping trips lend themselves perfectly to this. • You can even make it fancy! If your family is new to the world of caravan and camping or nature-based holidays, you might prefer to ease your way into it. Thanks to modern motorhomes and glamping experiences, this is perfectly doable! Many of our favourite holiday parks have comfortable options like cabins and safari tents, so you can combine the wonders of nature with the creature comforts of home. For more holiday inspiration, visit www.letsgocaravanandcamping.com.au

ABOUT

Food Ladder is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first not-forprofit organisation to use hydroponics and environmentally sustainable technologies to create food and economic security for communities otherwise reliant on aid and affected by poverty. For the past five years we have used custom designed systems to grow commercial quantities of nutrient-rich produce around the world; from rural towns in India and Uganda to the most remote parts of the Northern Territory in Australia. With the ability to be implemented virtually anywhere in the world, Food Ladder creates an artificial environment in which food production is enhanced.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we do not seek to own any assets, but rather each social enterprise is owned, governed and run by the local community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with full support and guidance from the Food Ladder team. To ensure strong community collaboration we work with on-ground partners including Government departments, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preeminent universities and remote community leaders. Food Ladder not only addresses food security, but creates employment and training opportunities for adults, and education outcomes for children. Benefits also include an increased sense of community pride and achievement, as well as a shift in attitudes around healthy eating.

WHY WE DO IT

One in nine people out of the current global population already goes hungry and the UN predicts there will be 2.3 billion more mouths to feed by 2050. Climate change and population growth are putting the globe’s citizens in a fragile and tenuous situation, and unfortunately, the effects are most pronounced among the poor and disadvantaged. Those communities who previously relied on traditional farming practices are rendered powerless to the unpredictable and varying weather conditions. Meanwhile, traditional methods of food aid have done little to address malnutrition, an affliction which can

only be truly remedied with quality, fresh fruit and vegetables grown locally. More so, children are most at risk, with research suggesting that the first 1000 days of a child’s existence – from a woman’s pregnancy to 24 months of age – is a vital window of opportunity to improve outcomes across health, education and employment. International research suggests that children who receive appropriate nutrition in their first 1000 days are up to ten times more likely to overcome life-threatening diseases, go on to earn 21% more wages, complete 4.6 more grades of school and are more likely as adults to have healthier families.

Food Ladder is our response to the crisis. With a legacy of over 10 years in social enterprise development and more than 600 jobs created and 6000 people fed, each Food Ladder system is able to supplement the diets of up to 250 people with locally grown, fresh produce. As the world grapples with population growth and the burgeoning effects of climate change, Food Ladder has created a proven and highly replicable solution to the pressing challenge of food security. True to its mandate of developing local economies, since its inception, Food Ladder has consistently assisted communities around the world in establishing successful social enterprises. •

Food Ladder systems are 5 times more productive than traditional farming methods when operating at full capacity.

•

Each Food Ladder system is designed to address the specific climate and food requirements of each individual community.

•

Food Ladder is a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable solution to food security.

HOW WE DO IT

Food Ladder is committed to leading the implementation of innovative and sustainable technologies to in-need communities and works exclusively with a host of world-class, tailored and proven products to do so.

Furthermore, much of the technology is automated, mitigating the need for constant human surveillance and protecting valuable crops against sharp and unprecedented weather changes.

Food Ladderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food security solutions integrate a series of innovative, environmentally controlled growing systems which have been designed to mitigate the very specific and volatile weather variants which are being further exacerbated with the impacts of climate change.

Similarly, automatic nutrient dosing combined with a PC interface and communication module means potential risks can be identified by the team remotely and diagnosed before they develop into problems that risk production output.

As a result, Food Ladder systems have been designed with a galvanized steel structure resistant to cyclonic winds and a polycarbonate encapsulating shield which boasts a 10-year warranty to provide long term quality assurance.

Food Ladder also hosts a variety of styles of growing systems including innovative vertical towers, specifically designed for high value herbs such as coriander.

In order to ensure optimal ambient temperatures inside, the integrated cooling systems are capable of 60 complete air changes per hour.

Solar panels with battery storage power, coupled with water treatment technologies, means Food Ladder systems are able to operate in the most isolated, arid and inhospitable places on earth.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @foodladder FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/foodladder TWITTER: www.twitter.com/FoodLadder www.foodladder.org

TRAVELLING AND LOCAL SPENDING FOR DROUGHT Travis Tobin, CEO Queensland Farmers’ Federation

Many would be familiar with Dorothea Mackellar’s famous lines “I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains”, which she wrote in the early 1900s while homesick in the UK. Since then, Australia has ‘fondly’ been known as “a land of droughts and flooding rains.” As a normal feature of our environment, Australian farmers and their communities have always had to deal with drought. But what is drought and why does it become such an issue? The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) defines drought as a prolonged, abnormally dry period when the amount of available water is insufficient to meet normal use. Pretty simple; but where agriculture is concerned it’s not simply about low rainfall because people use water in different ways and there is no universal definition. And it is generally difficult to compare one drought to another, as each drought differs

in the seasonality, location, spatial extent and duration of the associated rainfall deficiencies. Each drought is also accompanied by varying temperatures and soil moisture deficits and the interactions between and flow-on effects for different agricultural production systems will vary. Further, a changing climate is increasing the weather extremes that our already highly variable climate experiences. While drought is just one of the many climatic risks that farmers face and must manage, it differs from others in that it can affect a large number of farm businesses at once, it has a slow onset with effects that can last years, and it has a highly uncertain end date. The prolonged and uncertain nature of drought mean that the ongoing effects experienced include: the disruption to cropping programs and reduction of breeding stock, which threaten the profit and long-term viability of farm businesses; a downturn of regional, state and national economies; environmental damage, including vegetation loss, soil erosion, and water contamination; an increase in the frequency of bushfires and dust storms; decline of the physical and mental wellbeing of farming families, which can impede an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision-making and their ability to engage with family and their community; and a decrease in vitality and the viability of rural businesses and communities. Under enormous pressure, people naturally look to government for some help and solutions. Government policy responses to drought can be traced back to the early 1900s. I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go into this complex, often over-politicised area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and

there is a lot of room for improvement to current drought policy settings – but generally the focus of support has changed over time, from infrastructure investments of ‘drought proofing’ through irrigation to more direct financial assistance to help farmers through hard times. These policies and programs have generally focussed on measures to help keep people on the land. What has often been overlooked is measures that keep the businesses and economies of rural towns going. That’s where readers of this publication can really help as tourism plays an important role in keeping rural towns alive, and many drought-affected towns are encouraging people to support their communities by taking their next holiday in the country. In a globalised world where many things are now at our fingertips and available on demand, we often forget about the fantastic things to do and see in our own backyard. Many parts of Australia have fascinating histories, great tourism attractions, unique places to stay and amazing natural landscapes to enjoy. Beyond the economic boost to local businesses, it also increases morale which is critical for these proud communities. Looking ahead to when it starts to rain again, and it will, it is also important to understand that drought recovery is often a slow process that can take several years. And with droughts expected to become more frequent and extreme, the general public should consider what ongoing role all Australians can play in supporting farmers and rural communities – just as they are considering their

ongoing drought preparedness, management and resilience. The extensive media coverage of the current drought has increased the awareness for many people living in our cities of some of the vagaries of life on the land and helped remind them how important farming is to the foundations of our society. This has led to a greater desire to buy local produce and if need be, pay a bit more for it. But when it rains again will the ‘average’ Australian consumer simply return to a cheapest option approach, or can this drought be the catalyst to change people’s perception of locally grown food and fibre and the value they place on it? Australia is one of only eight countries in the world to spend less than 10 per cent of household income on food each year. While these numbers reflect a common trend across western societies and general living standards, other factors also contribute to it. For example, the constant price war between our major supermarkets, which control about 85 per cent of the market share, is a fundamental tenant of capitalism but it devalues food, what it takes to produce it, and what a fair farm gate return is. Encouragingly, in the current drought many consumers are bucking the “down down” and “cheap cheap” influencers and making more conscious purchasing decisions. If this can be sustained, they will continue to play an active role in helping to build more resilient farming businesses and rural communities. None of us can make it rain, but we can do our bit towards providing support, hope and options for farmers and rural communities.

The Surreal McLaren Vale

The McLaren Vale wine region in South Australia is renowned for its cool climate red wines, particularly the rich and full bodied Shiraz, but that is slowly changing, in part due to the gradually warming seasons being experienced in this area. The warmer conditions are enabling varieties like the Italian Montepulciano and the Spanish Cab Sav style Tempranillo grapes to gradually influence the varieties being grown. Other not so subtle changes have also occurred over the past few years in the Vale with breweries, distilleries and tradition challenging architecture entering the landscape. One of the newer places to visit is Swell Brewing Co. a craft brewery and taphouse which opened in

February this year. The huge shed structure gives little away from the outside but the interior is bright, slick and comfortable with a tasting area, dining spaces indoors and out and views of surrounding vineyards. The brewery is the creation of Dan Wright, a brewer and surfer, which influences the theme throughout the venue. It may seem the odd man out in its surroundings but McLaren Vale is only minutes from quite a few well known surf beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula. As you sample the beers and food you are never far from surf with a huge TV on the wall streaming surf competitions from around the world and in the relaxed outdoor area, a mural covering the side of an old shed which depicts the view from under a wave, complete with a menacing shark.

(Left) Willunga farmers market goodies (Right) McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park

Another relatively new and by far the most outlandish experience in the region is the d’Arenberg Cube. It sits like a child’s discarded toy behind the original 1880s family homestead which houses a tasting room and restaurant. The Osborn family have been making wines in the McLaren Vale region for more than a century and the current head winemaker, Chester Osborn is the fourth generation family member continuing the tradition. His influence is obvious from the moment you enter the property with the sculpture of 2 hands, called Handling Soil, marking the entrance and paying homage to the previous generations and their interests.

His other creation, the five storey glass and metal cube looms large out of the grapevines and gives barely a hint of what to expect inside. Even after exploring inside the cube it’s difficult to describe what to expect, but it does incorporate a tasting room, restaurant, and the Alternate Realities Museum. This museum is an all-round sensory experience that has to be seen to be believed and is frankly more than a bit on the weird side. If you imagine Willy Wonka meets Alice in Wonderland you are on the right, but very twisted track.

The d’Arenberg Cube

The wines though are seriously good with many national and international award and trophy winners amongst them. Humour is never too far from the surface with some quirky names and stories behind the over 70 wines made, including ‘The Old Bloke and Three Young Blondes’, ‘The Lucky Lizard’ and ‘The Sticks and Stones’. As with a lot of wine growing regions it is also a rich food bowl where many of the local wineries and restaurants showcase the fresh produce available. There are numerous

(Left) Mural art by Melbourne artist Dvate (Right) Willunga farmers market

places to sample fine dining in the area or you can shop at the weekly Willunga Farmers Market held every Saturday year round, and pick up locally grown and made items from the producers themselves. If you’re not too worried about over buying at the market there is a nine kilometre walking / cycle trail known as the Shiraz Trail which links Willunga and McLaren Vale. You can cycle along the trail with freshly baked bread and other goodies in hand, as you pass and stop in at a number of wineries.

Cycling of a more serious nature actually plays a big part in the region too with the Tour Down Under holding a stage of the race in the area each January. A large mosaic can be found in the main street which depicts all things synonymous with McLaren Vale including the Tour Down Under, vineyards, almond trees, farmland and the Onkaparinga River.

(Top) Views at dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arenberg winery (Bottom) A blend of old and new at dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arenberg winery

Surrealism inside The Cube

While in the main street, a must see is the FruChocs Shop where you can sample and buy this popular chocolate coated apricot treat. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not hard to see why it has been listed as an icon in the South Australian Food Industry Awards Hall of Fame. In McLaren Vale the combination of red wine and dark chocolate is irresistible and with studies showing that antioxidants found in both are associated with the prevention of heart disease and a way to boost

memory, well how can you say no to buying both. McLaren Vale is a mere 40 kilometres from Adelaide but has a very relaxed rural community feel. The McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park is a good central base for exploring the region being just a short walk into town, having The Shiraz Trail running behind it and only a few minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive from more than 70 cellar doors.

(Top) Willunga farmers market products (Bottom) Mosaic in the main street of McLaren Vale

MUST SEE: •

The d’Arenberg Cube and tasting room is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Entry is $10 per person which includes tasting a selection of wines and a self-guided tour of the cube.

•

The FruChocs Shop is at 203 Main Road McLaren Vale and is open every day from 10am to 5pm.

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Swell Brewing Co. is at 168 Olivers Road McLaren Vale, opening times of Thursdays 11am – 5pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11am – late and Sundays 11am – 6pm. Beer tasting paddles, tasting plates and meals are available at reasonable prices. Children (grommets) are welcome in a very family friendly space.

STAY: •

The McLaren Vale Lakeside Holiday Park at 48 Field Street McLaren Vale is set in 38 green acres and has a swimming pool, modern amenities and camp kitchen. Story and photos by Glenys Gelzinis. www.caravancorrespondent.com Instagram @glenysgelzinis

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2015 JAYCO EXPANDA 16.49-4 BUNKS SLEEPS 6 (NORTHERN BEACHES) ‘Georgie’ the Jayco Expanda 16.49-4 is a unique model with the 2 x bunks longways (180cm L) and the fridge (and therefore outlet) on the non-Annex side of the van. Most suited to families, easy to tow with an ATM 1790. $100 / Day | Warriewood, NSW Uluru is the physical and spiritual heart of Australia.

We already have more than ten families who this year are planning their Uluru adventure in a caravan they are hiring through Caravan and 5Camping X BERTH Australia.

It’s possibly the best-known natural 2019 JAYCO JOURNEY 19.61-3 landmark in Australia, sitting nicely at WITH (RINGWOOD) the top ofENSUITE the ‘must visit’ locations around the country, and despite its You could join them, from anywhere 2019 location, Jayco Journey 19.61-3family 5 x berth in with ensuiteCaravan and Camping remote it’s a fantastic Australia. • Double bed and triple bunks. holiday. Hire Australia are the biggest and • Full en-suite. Toilet and shower separate. most experienced peer to peer RV • ofMicrowave. One the best ways to get to hire company. We have caravans and • Full oven with rangehood. explore Uluru Uluru-Kata Tjuta RV’s based in every corner of the • Three National Parkway is inFridge. a caravan or RV. country ready for you to hook up and • Solar. experience what will be a life long • one Oneoftouch Electric forifa no memory fuss set for up.your whole family. And the best ways awning to do this, you don’t already have one, is to hire $145 / Day | Ringwood, VIC Hire one from Caravan and Camping Uluru has a special significance to Australia.

There is so much more to Uluru than it just being a rock, it seems to have many faces, and many moods, depending on the time of theJPOD day and 2019 JAYCO SPORT (ELLENBROOK) exactly where you are looking. There areThe so Jpod many offers valleysaand caves double and spacious bed with reading different surfaces that have changed lights and heaps of storage. All the bits and bobs with millions of erosion. needed forofayears fantastic weekend away! It is located over in 450 Tent included thekilometres hire rate.from Cooker, chairs, pots and Alice Springs and the ideal Uluru ground and about 22 kilometres pans, cutlery everything you need. experience has you visiting here and around the circumference. There are experiencing the art and culture of the lots of walks that can be done around $100 / Day | Ellenbrook, WA local Indigenous community, either here, including through the Valley of before or following your visit to the the Winds. rock. The Olgas are known as Kata Tjuta to the local Aboriginal people, which means many heads.

do as much or as little as they can manage, alternatively take a helicopter flight and take it in from the air. There are camp grounds and resort caravan parks at both locations so you will have everything you need from the comfort of your caravan or RV. Exploring the red centre from the comfort of a caravan or RV is the best family holiday around.

2019 TRACK TVAN MURRANJI (MANSFIELD)

The third must see on a trip to Uluru

is Kings which is located in If you love getting way off the beaten track this Canon, is high end “glamping” while not skimpingthe onWatarrka the driving National Park and is excitement!!!! only around four hours drive from Alice Springs.

If you orderincluding your food online and have delivered to our For families, young children, office we’ll even pick up!! Canyon is an incredible there is so much to pack keep the youtrailer busy prior toKings towering canyon where you can walk while exploring Uluru Uluru-Kata $195 / Day |Park. Mansfield, QLD along the base or along the Rim of Tjuta National the canyon. At Uluru you must see a sunrise and Kids will love exploring and you can a sunset. Visit the cultural centre and learn about the Anagu people and their connection to the HARD rock. FLOOR CAMPER #2 WDW CAMPERS

You and your kids will be talking about it for many years to come.

(NORTH LAKES)

There is a 10km track around the base of the rock and you can hire a Our Stirling GT Mk2 is our most popular forward fold bike or walk around it and take in camper we offer with WDW Campers. We call it the every surface while reading about complete package, designed to be able to be hitched different cultural practices.

up in minutes and have you on your way to adventure. Thanks to its fast forward fold design the Stirling Also within the Uluru-Kata GTlocated minimises camp setup time which means more Tjuta are The Olgas, 36 timeNational for you Park and your family to experience the great red-rock domes located about 35 outdoors. kilometres from Uluru but equally as impressive. highest point is $75 / Day The | North Lakes, QLD Mount Olga which is 546m above

If you want to join the families already planning this trip this year then give us a call or visit the website to find out how. www.cnchire.com.au

Whitsundays

Where ever I roam from a city, to a foreign country or a drive in the countryside, the search for foodie experiences never leaves me. The hunting through farmers markets, supermarkets, road side stalls and artisan county food outlets is truly a favourite hobby and I wish to see them all. Always prepared to try anything and I usually do, this infatuation has lead me to many culinary experiences and bucket list ticks. Problem is, the list never ends, it just keeps growing. So many amazing chefs, producers and passionate foodies out there, the culinary global world just keeps giving. This ever-growing foodie array has also been on a whirlwind spiral in my own back yard. After a recent trip overseas, this epiphany became ever so true. Traveling around Australia I am always blown away. Inspired and delighted to see that our offerings are as good and often better. The produce in our own Whitsunday back yard is now punching well above its weight.

Arriving in this amazing paradise around 16 years ago, the food scene unless you hit the oceans and waterways didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really do it for me. The old Island traders offered some foreign goodies but otherwise Bilo supermarket was the only place. Great for basics but not really my kinda hunting ground. During these times, my holidays and travels were hunting escapades to gather all that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on offer at home. Every time, the last minute trying to shove as much possible into the suitcase and then generally paying for excess luggage as my need for these amazing ingredients was, well just toâ&#x20AC;Śneedy.

Wow how things have changed. Today we have pretty much all that one could desire, right here, in our own back yard. Amazing butchers, who goes the extra step. Seafood suppliers who source out the best with an everchanging range. Local fruit and vegetables supplier who is always buying and supporting the local growers and bringing in new delights to tickle my fancy. The east Asian countries being very well represented with the local markets and speciality stores. Pop up food trucks with ever so tasty delights. Local farmers changing there crops and live stock with the food trends. Oh, my how we have grown. For this I wish to say thank you.

Thank you for making the Whitsundays a place I can truly call home and be proud of our everevolving foodie scene. The new and existing restaurants showcasing their chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talents and giving us more options to try. Our amazing Saturday foreshore market, with tropical produce and passionate knowledge. Yes, the Whitsundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offers so many options to tick off those bucket list boxes, now we can show the world they can add something else to their list. Visiting a truly amazing foodie destination

Any questions contact me on Facebook

The Food Junkie

Instagram @ the_food_junkie Website and blog www.thefoodjunkie.com.au Facebook - The Food Junkie @ thefoodjunkiechef

A Night at Wolfe Creek Words and Images by Kool Kampers

Hands up if you’ve seen the movie ‘Wolfe Creek’?

to feel more secure? Are you easily spooked by noises in the night?

Has it impacted on your desire to – or the way in which – you travel?

With camping at Wolfe Creek high on the bucket list for some, others like myself would rather avoid it at all costs – thanks to the thought of a crazy Mick Taylor incident becoming our reality.

Do you freak out about being in remote places? Perhaps sleeping with the windows locked, even when it’s hot and humid at night

WHY VISIT THE CRATER? Apart from the given adrenalin rush of â&#x20AC;&#x153;survivingâ&#x20AC;? a night out at the crater, it is worth seeing to experience not only its sheer size, but the unique plant life within and history displayed on boards below the crater rim. It is the second largest crater in the world, measuring 880 metres across and to a depth of around 60 metres â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a size that is hard to fathom without personally standing in front of it.

The dreamtime stories are just as fascinating, with traditional owners believing the crater was formed when a giant mythological snake raised its head from the ground back long ago at the time of creation. Within Aboriginal culture, many natural features such as rivers and creeks are thought to be the tracks left by giant ancestral snakes that once weaved their way across the desert. The scientific evidence leads us to believe that the crater was formed by the impact of a meteorite as long as 300,000 years ago!

WHERE TO STAY The National Park offers a free campsite a short drive from the crater – called Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater Campground. As far as facilities go, the site has some well-looked after drop toilets, but that’s it, so you’ll need to bring everything else with you that you might require for your stay. With popularity of the grounds varying during the year, if you’d like to rough it out there alone, we suggest going out of the peak tourist and school holiday times. However, if you want safety in numbers, then the busier times may suit you best, although the available camping sites can fill up quickly so aim to get in by early afternoon at the latest. Given the impressive Wolfe Creek Crater National Park lies on the edge of the great sandy desert in the Kimberley, it is a remarkable outback landscape, and a place where you can enjoy the most magical sunrise and sunsets in the same place – particularly from the crater rim which is only a 200 metre return walk with a short rocky climb.

PREPARATIONS The Wolfe Creek Crater is located south of Halls Creek along the Tanami Road in flat and barren country of Western Australia. The access road travels through Carranya Station and is well known for its rough corrugations. It is best to talk to those who have recently travelled on the roads to get an accurate idea of their condition, and to allow you to make an informed decision as to whether you want to put that stress on your vehicle and camping set up. Those with off road vehicles should prepare by doing the necessary checks, reducing air pressure in their tyres to a suitable level, and driving to the conditions.

COURAGEOUS CAMPING If you need more convincing, purely because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen the movie and wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever decide to go there of your own accord, then I suggest you do a little research before you make up your mind to miss experiencing this unique location.

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to completely avoid places like this, or spend the night tossing and turning, listening to every rustle in the bushes while your heart pounds a million miles a minute and crazy visuals run through your mind. So much adventure awaits you, so do your homework, and then get out there and start exploring! Katie & the Kool Kampers Tribe.

FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES: www.koolkampers.net www.facebook.com/koolkampers www.instagram.com/koolkampers https://www.youtube.com/c/KoolKampers

Proston, a small village with a big heart and an even bigger future. A community that has come together, to fight back against economic downturn, and an enduring drought.

written out of a prosperous future. The community came together, and formed several initiatives, that are now changing Proston into a small town success story.A couple of business savvy individuals added to Blake’s Streets shopping district, first on the 20th of October 2010, when NB Inspirations opened its doors, and recently the store was re-envisioned, reopening as NB Department Store. Jacarand Tearooms

Proston Village is nestled in South Burnett, Queensland. This tiny hamlet has a rich history, deeply embedded in the Australian dairy industry. Proston isn’t set on a major highway or near a large city, so catching every passing dollar is of utmost importance. The community has had to get inventive, and apply out of the box strategies to achieve this. Proston’s story is still being written, it’s an exciting time for this small Australian town. A community heavily steeped in farming, one of old fashioned country values. It’s residents having seen more than their share of hardships. With ongoing drought affecting the area, Proston has seen a downturn economically over the years. Slowly the once thriving town shopping centre closed its doors. It’s a story of so many small Australian towns, a story that often doesn’t have a happy ending. With a strong spirit Proston’s small community wasn’t going to be

The store has received accolades, as a innovative, exciting new shopping destination. In April 2017 the same duo opened Jacaranda Tearooms, offering coffee, teas and light meals. Proston’s favourite place for a coffee and a catchup. Jacaranda Tearooms is a must visit, especially on a Friday.

NB Department Store

On Fresh Friday’s they create delicious juices along with a selection of light meals that are made from locally sourced ingredients. Supporting our local Farmers and producers.These two successful ventures added to the existing Spar Supermarket, Proston Health & Beauty, Proston Rural Supplies and Proston Post Office. Another Proston success has been the Proston District Golf Club. This entirely volunteer lead organisation, has been a Proston staple since its inception in 1936. The community has generously given its time with the upkeep of the club, and it’s grounds. The club has had a variety of ups and downs throughout the years. It’s a credit to the hard work of the committee and it’s volunteers

past and present that the club has achieved the successes is has to date.In June 2018 the club welcomed its first campers, offering free camping, with onsite showers and ablution block, they only ask for a donation in return for your stay. This initiative has seen 1300 campers to Proston Village to date. The friendly volunteers are only too happy to accomodate large group bookings, and can supply lunch or dinner if planned in advance. The small group of volunteers have successfully harnessed the power of the internet, with the glowing reviews staking up on Wikicamps, the club is going from strength to strength.The nine hole course on offer is a must. If you’re keen on a game, you can get in touch with the club via their Facebook page, they are happy to discuss fees, availability and any requests you may have. The club has an ongoing association

Proston District Golf Club Room

Village fountain

with many of the groups within Proston such as the Golden Spurs Camp Draft & the local PNC. It has hosted many events including charity fundraisers, the Annual Smithfeild day and The Wandering Bares golf day held in April of each year. Proston’s annual events such as the renowned, Golden Spurs Camp Draft brings much valued tourism dollars to the village. And continues to grow year to year. That success hasn’t extended to the rest of Proston Village. The remainder of Blake street was in slow decline, as maintenance of the buildings became an issue and the once smart shopping precinct was in serious need of renovations and repairs.Seven of the once thriving shops were up for sale, a small group of Proston locals seized the opportunity to create a non-profit group, that would work towards raising the funds necessary to

purchase the Blake Street shops. Proston Qld Ltd was formed. Proston Village Community Group as it’s known by, was ready to progress Proston Village to a new exciting level. Paid memberships to Proston Village Community Group were offered to the community, with many taking up the offer, supporting their much loved towns reinvention. South Burnett’s Deputy Mayor, Cr Kathy Duff a Proston local, and avid supporter of Proston’s reinvention. Kathy tragically lost her partner Jamie Mackenzie to Rural suicide, Kathy received a sum that matched the sale amount of Proston, Blake Street’s, seven shops from Jamie’s estate. Kathy generously donated this money to, Proston Village Community Group, enabling the purchase of all seven shops.

District Golf Club - camping area

Kathy saw this as an opportunity to ensure that Jamieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy lived on, in the little town he loved so much. As well as an opportunity to highlight the rural suicide issue our farming communities face. Proston Village Community Group, has Jamieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory foremost when making decisions for the future of these buildings. Keeping in mind the generous donation made in his name. They are passionate about the Proston community and the success of Blake Street.

With so many struggling farmers in our sunburnt, drought parched country, rural suicide is sadly now a far to common occurrence. The future of Proston is now forever intwined with the lives lost, and families affected by these devastating events. With the sale of the shops finalised, Prostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest community group set about renovating the once tired shop 44. Repairs included, replacement of wall sheeting, repairs to wood, paint and refinishing the existing wooden flooring. Again the community was called on to donate materials, and time to get the first shop ready for a new tenant. Whilst the renovation was underway, Proston Village Community Group undertook the creation of a website and social media campaign. The groups vision is to actively promote all of Blake Streets businesses and furthermore market Proston as a tourist destination.

Aiming to highlight the many attractions of the area. The Reinke Scrub conservation park is a great place to take the kids and explore. or why not follow the Proston Heritage Trail and have fun learning about the history of this fascinating town. Proston offers several options for an overnight stay with the Golf Club free camp, the Proston Caravan Park, with powered sites, onsite showers and toilets. If your after something different Sacred Space Studio, has a charming renovated chapel. For more information you can visit the website www.prostonqld.com.au for ways to book.

Shop 44 renovation Blake Street, Proston Village

The group aims to incorporate Proston and its surrounds, including the Boondooma Dam and historic Boondooma Homestead in the marketing of Proston Village. The dam is only a short 20 minute drive and has fantastic fishing and water sports, camping is also available. Boondooma Homestead is 45 minutes out of town and has more information on the history of the area. For any businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that are interested, the group has a marketing plan to actively promote them along side the Blake Street shopping district. In the short term The Proston Village Community Group volunteers have plans to open a pop up shop in Blake street, over Christmas period, to raise further funds for the non profit group.

This small rural community is fighting back, against a debilitating drought and rewriting their own future. A town with determination, passion and drive to make a positive change. Salt of the earth Aussie battlers, that refuse to let their Proston, their Village become another small town statistic. Proston Village Community Group is always looking for support, you can donate or become a financial member on their website. www. prostonqld.com.au Simply sharing their social media pages will help get this inspiring towns story out to a wider audience. @prostonvillage are our social Instagram and Facebook #prostonvillage #visitproston

Over a billion disposable cups are thrown away each year in Australia. Most end up in landfill or the ocean. Join Green Caffeen and be part of the solution.

FREE FOR CAFES AND COFFEE DRINKERS Scan, swap, drink, return. Green Caffeen is a FREE reusable café cup system for eco-focused cafes and coffee lovers across Australia. Cafes love it, coffee drinkers dig it and the planet high fives you for it. Download the Green Caffeen app at participating cafes, get your FREE Green Caffeen cup and drink your coffee with a clear conscience. Drop it back to ANY Green Caffeen café within 30 days and feel the good karma of saving the planet, one cup at a time. Green Caffeen cafes are all over Australia. And we’re growing

quicker than a seagull scoffing chips at the beach. Green Caffeen cups can be used endlessly between cafes and users who are part of the Green Caffeen team. If you can’t drop your cup back to a participating café within 30 days, there’s a $12.99 fee to allow us to make sure there are enough cups for everyone to reuse. Started by two Aussie mates, Green Caffeen is their solution to the single use plastic epidemic. We want to make it irresistibly easy to ditch disposable cups, reshape the Aussie coffee culture –and cut the landfill.

Why Green Caffeen?

Disposable cups are hurting our environment. Our eco-friendly cup solution gives you unlimited access to re-usable green cups for your coffee, tea, or other hot drinks. Simply signup and purchase your drink at a participating cafe, consume your drink, then return the used cup when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re finished.

You can return your used cup to the same cafe or any other participating cafe. Then grab a fresh cup the next time you order. Use our scan, swap & go cup system as many times as you like... For FREE! We give you 30 days to scan a cup back into any participating Cafe to avoid any late charges ($12.99).

THE PROBLEM & SOLUTION Every year an estimated 500 billion disposable cups are thrown away worldwide after a single use! That’s 1 million cups an hour and the number is growing. Over 1.2 billion disposable coffee cups are used each year in Australia, 90% of which end up in landfill or littering the streets. Cups and lids are also finding their way into our oceans where they breakdown and form tiny pieces called microplastics. These are ingested by marine life and cause millions to die every year. Paper coffee cups are lined with plastic (Liquid paper boardLPB) to make them waterproof. Although the paper outside will breakdown, the plastic inner won’t. To recycle them they must be sent to a specialist recycling facility that is costly and complicated. Consequently only 8% are recycled. This equates to 2.7 million coffee cups in Australia going to land fill each day. Green Caffeen was born to make a difference! 2 Dad’s frustrated by the Bring Your Own Cup Concept knew there

had to be a better, more convenient way... We’ve set ourselves a realistic target to Save 1 Million Disposable Coffee Cups from entering Landfill... Help us Keep the Planet Clean... Join Green Caffeen.

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Download the Green Caffeen app to get started!

100,167 Cups enjoyed

340 Cafes serving

8,650 Happy customers

1,006.7 bins Saved from landfill

Keeping it simple on the road It is so easy to drop the health ball when you go on holidays and travelling. The lead up, packing and prepping to get away can sometimes have you dropping the ball well before you even get into the car, hit the road and head for the sunset. Holidays and being on the road can automatically mean a packet of snakes, something from the hotbox as you quickly stop to replenish fuel, and that is only a couple of things before you get to the destination and be somewhat forced into a thing called â&#x20AC;&#x153;happy hourâ&#x20AC;?. All of which is part and parcel with holidays, and if that makes you happy than go for your life. However if like me you return from holidays feeling regretful and even in most of the moments above you are doing it because it is easier and not for the joy eating a lolly or a pie brings, then you are doing it all wrong. Prepping for a road trip and holidays has changed for us and we never thought we would love the different style and meaning of holidays that the new theme brings.

Here are some simple swaps we have taken on:

SWAP FIZZY SUGARY DRINKS FOR SPARKLING/SODA WATER With this we stay prepared with our own water bottle and we have a soda stream that is simple easy to use, store and carry with us.

SWAP THE CHOCOLATE BAR FOR A PROTEIN BAR This not only will have you fuller for longer, it clearly is good for your health. We keep these in the fridge as well so after dinner with a cuppa when we are looking for a sweet something than this fills the spot.

SWAP LOLLIES FOR HANDFUL OF MIXED NUTS AND SERVE OF FRESH RASPBERRIES AND BLUEBERRIES When we jump in the car for a road trip, I always have this ready. This doesn’t mean not to let the kids grab a bag of snakes for the trip, it just means that when they offer the bag around we have our

nuts and berries first, they have a banana and it curbs the craving and prevents the bag from being demolished in the first half hour of a trip.

SWAP HOTBOX FOR FRESH You can pretty much guarantee on a road trip anything purchased from a hot box is not going to be the best for your health, or your energy levels and clarity for the trip. If you really want something from the hot box, maybe get a half serve and add a salad, sandwich or similar.

SWAP ½ THE HAPPY HOUR PLATTER FOR VEGGIE STICKS AND FRUIT You would be surprised at the difference this can make. If you love happy hour, which if we are all being completely honest here who doesn’t? Don’t avoid happy hour, for sure get amongst it, however if you swap out some of the not so good and replace with some alternate options, you will find yourself not only consuming less volume as you are feel more satisfied, you will also have consumed less “naughty calories” allowing you to repeat the next day without the feeling of guilt.

2 of our favourite holiday snacks / deserts

CHIA PUDDING This makes for a great snack / desert and is so simple to make and only needs to be refrigerated (no over wahoo, these are my favourite) Ingredients: • Chia seeds • Almond Milk • Protein Powder (we like vanilla or chocolate) Method: 1. Add all ingredients to a dish (I use a casserole style glass dish with lid) 2. The general rule is one part seeds to 4 parts liquid ( as I add protein powder to mine I add more liquid to allow for the protein) 3. Stir and refrigerate overnight 4. (I stir mine a few hours in, and add more liquid if it is too thick) Serve: With berries, almonds, macadamias, pecans, walnuts

RICE PUDDING

This also makes a great snack or desert and is also so simple to make, doesn’t need a lot of bench space to prepare so perfect for the caravan and is super delicious. Ingredients: • • • • • •

Coconut milk – 1 can ¼ cup Maple syrup 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp cinnamon 1 cup almond milk Pinch sal

Method: 1. Pour coconut milk into saucepan and bring to boil 2. Add cooked rice (I have mine cooking in rice cooker to save space on my stove as easier in the caravan) to the milk and boil for five minutes 3. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes (stirring as required) 4. Add maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, almond milk 5. Cook for 10 minutes (add more milk if you want a creamier finished product) 6. Stirring frequently 7. Eat or refrigerate (I serve mine into small jars with lids, that fit perfectly across the top of door of fridge, I add in freshly cut up strawberries, apple – whatever fruit I have available and the kids grab as they require a snack) As we all know kids eating healthy is about convenience if something is ready to eat, they will eat it and this is why “junk” food is packaged ready to eat and our kids love it, they fly into the house or van starving and

look for the quickest and simplest thing to eat so they can get back out to play before they miss out on something fun. Fun Fact: I am sure we have all experienced the watermelon scenario. A watermelon in my household will go off before someone thinks to cut it up, yet if it is cut up by yep “yours truly” and put into a container in bite size pieces, than yep you got it , the watermelon is gone within hours of it being prepared. The more organised we can be, the more choices we are giving ourselves and our family throughout the day. Keep an eye out for our blog on some of our other favourites including the favourite sweet potato slice, topped with fresh avocado http:// liquidlifeandleisure.com.au/blog/ For more fun and easy recipes, travel stories and destinations, download the Liquid Life and Leisure app from the app store: https://app. appcity.com.au/LiquidLifeAndLeisureApp

STOP SHOP SUPPORT

SMALL TOWNS – BIG PERSONALITIES Australian country road

Farmers market

ustralia is a country of vast distances and conditions can be as inhospitable as the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful. As you travel around by road it can be hard to understand how some smaller towns and communities survive the seemingly harsh environment they sit in. Many towns have grown around animal and crop farming and still rely heavily on agriculture to sustain them today. When times are tough it’s more important than ever for travellers to give back to these hard working communities that provide the country with so much.

The very essence of a road trip with caravan in tow is to savour the journey and appreciate the changing landscape along the way. The idea of carefree, stop where you feel like travel is what draws many to this lifestyle to begin with and with many regions of Australia experiencing drought or harsher than usual conditions, the support that can be given to smaller communities is imperative. It’s only as you travel the highways and backroads of this country that you can truly appreciate the small towns along the way, many of them silently going about the business of providing food for our tables and other primary production.

Café décor

Wall Mural

Red dust covered sheep

Sheep art Dry Australian farmland

Australian small town sculpture

Small town museum room setting

Unique Australian country décor

The ways to help are many and are incidental to travelling throughout Australia. Stopping and spending time in smaller towns is a great way to break up a longer trip and alleviate the white line fever and monotony that can sometimes set in. For safety’s sake drivers should take a break every two hours to reduce the risk of fatigue and what better reason to stop than to know you can also be helping someone doing it a lot tougher than yourself. Travellers can help out by stopping to top up fuel, have a coffee break and buy something to eat. You never know what interesting local attractions you can find out about by spending time and having a chat with a friendly local and seeing some unique décor you can only find in Australian country cafes and hotels while you’re at it.

If you have more time to spend why not seek out a local museum or art gallery or take a walk around town to stretch the legs and see what other hidden secrets you can discover. More regional towns are getting on board with the idea of decorating buildings and walls with street art. These large scale artworks in some cases are becoming a drawcard of their own and a reason to detour to towns that may have otherwise been bypassed. One trend at the moment that is gaining a big following is that of painted grain silos. The size and quality of these grand artworks are certainly giving travellers reason to seek out the towns they are in. Even on a smaller scale the humour and inventiveness in Australian rural towns is abundant in artwork and sculptures of all shapes and sizes and worth stopping to see.

An added bonus if you choose to stay in smaller towns can be the option of free or low cost caravan sites. You can find camping sites at local sporting ovals and showgrounds, some of which are powered and have basic amenities. These can be safe and affordable options for overnight or longer stays. Money collected stays in the town or if camping is free then there’s no excuse not to shout yourself to a meal at the local hotel and give back that way. There are even some country pubs and Roadhouses that have campgrounds attached to them that can be cheaper than the traditional caravan park. Don’t forget to throw a few dollars in the direction of any local collections, raffles and fundraisers while you’re there. The

Ruin on a dry farm

fun of a Friday night chook raffle at a country hotel can’t be understated . If you prefer to self-cater then you may just be in luck with a local butcher, bakery or farmers market nearby to get the freshest produce and put money in pockets. If you’re near a river or beach why not wet a line and try catching dinner. You can always get some tips from the locals on what’s around and where they are biting while you stock up on bait. For a quintessential Australian road trip make it a priority to stop and discover the small towns when you’re next on holidays, you never know what gems you may be missing out on by overlooking these vital links along the way and how your contribution can make a difference.

Small town shops

For more stop, shop and support articles visit www.liquidlifeandleisure.com.au Story and photos by Glenys Gelzinis | www.caravancorrespondent.com Instagram @glenysgelzinis

CARAVANLPG & CAMPING & SAFETY INSURANCE

Lisa’s Mediterranean Damper Courtesy Lisa Turner (The Camp Oven Queen)

When you buy a car, a house, a boat or any other type of major investment you immediately make sure your asset has insurance.

If you look at your policy, you will probably find that if your caravan or trailer comes loose and hits another car it won’t be covered.

But what about your caravan or RV?

So what sort of insurance do you need for a caravan.

It’s not actually a legal requirement to have insurance for your caravan and for the most part your car’s Third Party insurance should cover incidents that occur on the road, however that is only while its attached to your car.

Well I guess that’s like any other type of insurance it depends on your use of it and how much you want to pay. Caravan insurance can be a minefield and with more and more people living in their caravans as a primary

residence the insurance industry is struggling to keep up with the changes. Many long term travellers find themselves getting incorrect advice or getting confused with what they need. The Finder.com 2019 Australian Caravan Insurance Guide as some helpful tips in deciding what sort of caravan insurance will suit your needs, however make sure you do your own research to ensure you are fully covered.

Have your van towed, plus Why do you need Caravan If you caravan is destroyed by When you buy a car, a house, a accommodation if needed while insurance? fire, flood, hail, explosion, boat or eaten any other of major Best with type a beer or glass of wine. lightning, impact, high wind or repairs or replacements are investment you immediately other natural events. sought. If your caravan smashes into make sure your asset has INGREDIENTS: METHOD: someone’s car: this should be insurance. For electrical appliances which covered by your comprehensive If someone steals items from are mix part of van, ie of dry car• insurance. your caravan or trailer: most 1 warm stubby of beer or 1. Sift flour into large bowl then in the remainder But what about your caravan policies will offer some contents airconditioning, fridges. ingredients. RV? • 3 cups of SR flour insurance for things inside your If your caravan is stolen: Add olives & feta van, 2. however you need to- lightly stir. If you have extras like annexes caravan insurance will cover • 1 tablespoon chilli flakes It’s not actually a legal to your insurer about you to its full value. ensure is enough 3. this Addamount half a stubby - cut in withspeak knife like a scone. requirement to have insurance • 1 rounded teaspoon garlic and if not speak to your insurer whether they are included in If your caravan is damaged by for your caravan and for the powder 4. Add the rest of stubby & lightly mix. someone or vandalised: about increasing the contents your policy or if you need to add most part your car’s Third Party • About 1 cup of cubed feta 5. You don’t overmix just bring it altother until combined. these in separately. Insurance will cover the cover. insurance should cover incidents cheese damage. 6. On a floured board with floured hands shape in to a flattish that occur on the road, however • isAbout3/4 to its 1 cup of green ball. that only while attached to & black olives sliced. Pat dry on your car. 7. Mark top with a cross with floured knife and flick a little flour paper towel. over the top If you look at your policy, you will • 1 teaspoon thyme leaves probably findorthat if your caravan (dried fresh) By this time your camp oven should be nice & hot. Sprinkle or trailer comes loose and hits some flour on base , when it starts to change colour pop in • 1tsp chopped fresh another carfinely it won’t be covered. damper in a 12 or 14 inch camp oven. Cook for 35 - 40 mins. rosemary Cook till golden brown & sounds a little hollow when tapped So• what sortofofsalt insurance do you Pinch need for a caravan. Well I guess that’s like any other

What to be aware of

upkeep, this can even include mould damage.

If you haven’t secured your caravan well enough its likely your insurer will refuse your claim, just like in a house or car you need to take every effort to secure. Insurers can also deny a claim if its thought damage has occurred because the assessor believes it was from poor

Wear and tear is generally not considered a reasonable claim. It will need to be because of a legitimate event. If you are in areas with extreme weather, check your policy, insurers may not pay out on a claim caused by extreme weather.

The best advice when considering caravan insurance, as with all insurance is to shop around. Speak to a few insurers and see what they offer and how it meets your individual needs. You really don’t need to be caught in a cyclone before you realise you aren’t covered for cyclone damage.

More information available at at More information available www.everythingcaravanandcamping.com www.everythingcaravanandcamping.com

Cruising along the Eyre Peninsula

The Eyre Peninsula is a tourist dream, with plenty of things to do and see along the way we were so relived to hit this rugged coastline it after the long drive across the Nullarbor! Coming in from the West these are a few of the great places we checked out along the peninsula.

SMOKY BAY Smoky bay has breathtaking, calm waters which we weren’t expecting! Smoky bay was just a port in previous years but is now a residential settlement and a haven for tourists. The small, relaxed town doesn’t have much more than a caravan park, jetty and boat ramp which makes it the perfect place to switch off.

STREAKY BAY Streaky bay was our first camping spot on the Eyre Peninsula. Streaky bay is a beautiful beachside town on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula. It’s a lovely town with plenty of little shops, cafes and restaurants and it’s also a popular spot for fishing so grab your tinny if you have one! Our favourite spot in Streaky Bay was Hally’s beach, now I don’t know if we just got lucky but on both visits to Hally’s beach we were treated to a show by AT LEAST 100 dolphins which made our days! Hally’s beach is on a scenic loop dirt road just out of town. The road is fine and 2WD accessible. Streaky bay and the surrounding area were really busy even though it wasn’t school holidays or a weekend so it may well be worth booking it in!

VENUS BAY Venus bay is a tiny little beachside town, with a calm bay one side and rugged cliff tops the other. There is a walking trail around the point where you can check out The Needle Eye â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a large cliff with a hole through it. The fishing here is meant to be AMAZING but all we caught was a little tommy. The caravan park in town is right next to the beach, perfect! TALIA CAVES Talia caves are definitely worth turning of the highway for. Woolshed cave was our favourite and was easily accessible by stairs. The cave into the granite cliff was created by the tide and you can walk right into there and then explore the nearby blowholes. There is also The Tub which is a large crater in the cliff with a tunnel to the ocean. The road into Talia caves is dirt but 2WD is fine.

COFFIN BAY Home of the Coffin Bay Oyster - but there were none in town when we were there! they were just spawning on our visit. Coffin bay is stunning and was one of our favourite spots along the west side, we just felt very chilled there. We also checked out Coffin Bay National Park which actually seemed quite remote!

TUMBY BAY Tumby Bay was our favourite stop on the Eyre Peninsula! The town has so much to enjoy and the ocean is amazing, as well as its crystal blue waters capturing our hearts, we found and awesome lowcost camp just a few kms out of town! Red cliff camp was just $15 a night (unpowered) and had ocean views we were basically on the beach! Its clean well-kept facilities, hot showers, flushing toilets and drinking water made it easy to stay for a relaxing five days. The camp also had a donation washing machine. If you’re lucky enough to have a boat with you the campsite has its own boat ramp but if you don’t you might score some squid of the beach like us! The kids loved playing on the large grass area or heading down to the beach. Power was available if needed and there’s even a couple of cabins there! The road into Red Cliff is dirt but fine and 2WD accessible

Tumby bay is also home to some very cool silo art and the whole town has great art murals through it.

Enjoy the Eyre Peninsula! Safe Travels, Bush’n it on a budget.

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bushnitonabudget/ Email: bushnitonabudget@hotmail.com

REDUCE YOUR WATER WITH "BATH IN A BAG"

STAY CLEAN AND FRESH WITHOUT WASTING WATER Anyone who travels in remote areas knows that water is a previous commodity, which often means that a shower is a luxury that can’t always be afforded.

HiCare’s LEISUREBath™ Bath in a Bag is the ideal solution. This disposable bathing solution comprises single-use wipes that are tougher, thicker, softer and larger than baby wipes. LEISUREBath™ will leave your skin clean and refreshed with no sticky residue, and is designed specifically for off-roading, camping, boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking or any outdoor activity that can leave you sweaty, dirty or dusty. With no need for water or soap, it is a ready-to-use solution that cleans skin while also keeping it healthy. The perfectly pH-balanced formula also contains moisturisers and emollients to nourish and protect your skin. The wipes are alcohol, soap and latex-free and are dermatologically tested, making them suitable

for both adults and children on all areas of the body and face. They can be used straight from the pack, or for added comfort, cooled in a refrigerator or heated in a microwave. In a light and resealable package, these wipes can be carried wherever you go and are a must-have items for your backpack, glove box or first-aid kit.

HICARE SHAMPOO 60ML PUMP HiCare Waterless Shampoo is an ideal solution for situations when regular showering and hair washing is difficult or impossible. It provides excellent benefits across a range of applications including intensive care patients, dementia patients, palliative care patients, immobile patients, disaster relief, and travel. HiCare Waterless Shampooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pH balanced and alcohol free formula has been dermatologically tested and proven. The surfactant cleanser in our unique formula returns the hair to its neutral pH, and is able to remove dirt, oil, perspiration and more in one easy application. The addition of the nourishing agent Keratin helps to rejuvenate the hair follicles, leaving hair healthy and nourished, as well as clean. You will get 10-12 washes/60ml pump bottle.

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Written by Zoe Borghardt and Emma Lea Paterson

Fresh produce on display in shop along with signage and photos of farmers where the produce comes from

We need to support our local farmers now more than ever and Clint Borghardt has made a name for himself in the Ipswich region for doing just that. Clintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm Fresh Produce was started in 2017 as a small family business taking produce orders and delivering boxes to our local community. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long till our customer base

had grown dramatically and we ourselves realised how important it was to support our local farmers and how big of a demand it was in our community. From here on we stopped the box service and decided to set up a farmers market each weekend. Over the last year our farmers market grew rapidly as word of mouth spread round and social media

posts went viral. Our customers soon got wind that Clint was not just a fruiterer but a genuine, down to earth guy with a kind heart who loves to support our locals. Along with being exceptionally knowledgeable with fresh produce Clint also shares a genuine love for fruit and veg.

Clint and John of Corras Farms - lowood

At Clint’s we take pride in supplying the freshest quality produce at affordable prices while making sure the farmer does not run at a loss. By going direct to the farms and starting fresh each week to week, we minimize shelf and storage life, mileage the produce travels and cutting the middle market man. While some seasonal produce may not be available locally in Queensland we then source out the best quality from local and interstate wholesalers that organize transportation for us. Clint has built up strong, long lasting relationships with the farmers and thinks that this is one of the reasons why his fruit market is so successful. “People like knowing their produce has come straight from the farmers and that we are supporting them”, says Clint.

When asked why Clint travels direct to the farms to buy his produce and not just to the markets, he says, “I like driving out to the farms to see what’s going on and what’s growing. The quality of the produce is no comparison. I know exactly when the produce was grown and in return I can tell my customers that, which they very much appreciate.” Supporting local farmers is also very important to Clint. “They’re doing it tough, we’re in the middle of a huge drought. If I can go directly to them, I know I’m helping them and their family and keeping the economy local.

Clint at Janene’s Spray Free Greens - Elimbah

Cows eating a load of produce scrap Clint dropped to a farm at Karrabin

Borghardt kids Laityn and Ledger at the packing shed helping get ready for the weekends market

Clint collecting a load of citrus from Matt’s Farm In Gayndah.

People love the fact their produce is coming straight from the farmers, which was evident in Clint’s grand opening on Saturday, 19th October. Over 500 customers came down to support Clint’s grand opening. Face painting, a huge grazing table full of fresh food and produce and a heap of giveaways kept people happy and children smiling. Local farmer John from Corras Farms in Lowood also attended the event. His hydroponic farm grows lettuce, herbs and asian greens. John said it was great to see so many people supporting Clint and was happy to see it doing well. A charity box was also set up to raise funds for the farmers with over $150 raised and sent to The Official Aussie Helpers. When asking local Ipswich customer Simone Robertson why she shops at Clints she says: “I shop at Clint’s because I always get quality and value for money. Clint and his staff are always willing to go the extra mile and honestly their service is above all. So friendly and helpful and make shopping for fruit and veggies so much easier”.

We asked Simone what is different about Clint’s than the other big fish out there? “What’s different about Clint’s produce is it lasts longer. It’s fresh and the taste is great. I love that he supports our farmers and he personally is willing to go above and beyond to get quality produce. I have shopped with Clint and his family since he started doing his boxes and markets and will continue to shop with him”. Another happy customer, Amanda Holmes-Hayes says, “I shop at Clints because the products are from the farm and the staff have always treated me like family.

Driving over a bridge around Gatton which is completely dry and no water to be seen

Troy from peak veggie patch peak crossing dropping in to check out new store and drop off some local grown truss tomatoes

Clint and Zoe Borghardt out front of new shop

I’ve followed Clint from location to location because I simply just love his produce. Saturdays are my favourite day of the week as I get to visit Mr C and the girls. Clints products last the distance. Before Clints, I was throwing most of my fruit and veg out due to it going bad but not now”. Clint says one of the best things about his job is hearing the positive feedback from his customers about how fresh the produce is. “It’s a great feeling and it’s one of the reasons I do what I do”. He also laughed saying, “I actually don’t mind

the driving either! There’s a lot of it, but meeting the farmers and having a yarn to them is also good value”. It’s not uncommon for Clint to sell out of most of his produce. If anything is leftover from the weekends trade it gets packed in a couple of boxes and dropped at the Ipswich Hospice. The rest and scraps go to some farms out Karribin way to feed the farm animals in need. Clint believes that supporting small local businesses is important in today’s economy. “It benefits not only the small

business but the whole community. We’re keeping people employed, small businesses open and we know exactly where our money is going and who it’s going to. When shopping, if you have the choice to shop small and local, please do.” Clints Farm Fresh Produce is opened Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. To keep up to date with specials and events, please head on over to their Facebook page.

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