Top 5 Easter Camping Tips

With Easter just around the corner there’s a couple of things we know for sure. We’ll soon be stuffing our faces with choccies, and the car will be packed to the brim with all the camping gear needed to make the most of the Easter holidays in BCFing style.

Whether you’re a first-time camper looking for a leg up, or a legend of the outdoors who wants to save a couple of seconds setting up, these handy hints should have you spending less time worrying and more time kicking back with a cold one. Before heading away this Easter break check out these great camp tips from the BCFing experts, they’ll get you sorted!

Two of the biggest factors that impact the success of your camp trip include the company you travel with, and where you decide to set up shop. Whilst you can’t choose your family you can definitely choose your camping spot and it’s important that you take your time when picking a suitable location. Depending on the size and nature of your crew there are some important questions that need answering before locking in a site. These include:

• Will you need a powered or unpowered site?

• Does the spot have any amenities such as a loo or barbie?

• How far is it from the nearest town or shops?

• Is there a bin for all the empty drinks and choccy wrappers?

Especially if you’re travelling with the little tackers or those who prefer their creature comforts, it’s important to pick a site that’s a little less on the rough side. You’ll also want to pick a spot that lends itself to having some BCFing fun. Does it have a fishy creek nearby? Is there a perfect lake for paddle boarding within a stone’s throw from camp? While picking a camp site isn’t rocket science it’s an important first step and will make a huge difference when it comes to what you write down on the packing list. It’s also important you decide early and book in your spot if you get the chance, to avoid getting caught out camping in the backyard again this year! If you’re short on ideas, check out our Top Easter Camping Locations.

So, you’ve decided on your camp spot and can’t sleep without dreaming of the nights that will be spent whiling the hours away in front of the bush telly. Marshmallows by the fire, the sound of a slowflowing stream, beer o’clock whenever you so choose, life is but a dream you think to yourself… That is until you get to the spot and roll out your swag, only to find it’s covered in mould. Forgetting to check your gear before heading away can seriously ruin your camp trip and could land you in some seriously hot water, especially if you’re camping in a remote location. Make sure that your gear is in tip top shape before loading it up into the car. Do the sleeping bags need a wash? Is your cooker in working order? Have you got all the tent poles? Don’t just assume everything’s Mickey Mouse before you leave, get in there and have a test run. Set up the tent, blow up the mattress, fire up the cooker and have a pre-camp snag to get you in the mood. Make sure you physically inspect all of your gear at least a couple of days before your trip and if it’s not up to scratch you’ll have enough time to duck into your local BCF to pick up a few bits and pieces. If you’re not sure what to bring (or check), suss out this camping checklist that the BCFing experts have chalked up.

It’s all too easy to throw a couple of snags on the barbie and call it a dinner, but if you’re really keen to take your camping experience up a notch or two it’s a great idea to add a couple of new recipes to your arsenal before you head away. You don’t need to be the next Gordon Ramsay to cook up a storm and there are so many simple camp cook-up ideas that will have your taste buds singing. Whether it’s a mouth-watering dessert like these Choc Banana Toasties or you simply level up your snag game with this Ultimate Snag on Bread, camp cooking doesn’t have to be hard to get the crew licking their lips. The Easter break could also be a great time to test out a couple of new ways of making a feed. Pick up a camp oven and enter the world of open fire camp cooking. With a camp oven in tow the options are pretty much limitless, and you’ll feel like a true bushman when harnessing the heat of an open fire to fill your belly. There’s nothing wrong with a sausage in bread, but the Easter break is the ideal time to push your limits and try something new. Even if you don’t fancy yourself as much of a chef give a new recipe a crack this camp trip and you never know, you might surprise yourself!

4.

A very simple but important tip here – don’t forget the first aid kit! You never know when things can turn pear-shaped so it’s important you have the gear to make sure that you can deal with any nicks, grazes, splinters, or other nasties that might turn a great day at camp on its head. Get your hands on a first aid kit that has all the essentials and you’ll be good to go. If you’ve given your current first aid kit a bit of a beat around, make sure that you have a good look through it and stock up on anything that might be missing. A first aid kit is a must-have when heading off to camp, so make sure that you’ve got a fully stocked kit this Easter holidays. It’s also important to make sure you’re wearing suitable clothing at camp and that you load up on sunscreen, bug spray, and all the other bits of gear that’ll mean the first aid kit can also kick back and have a rest.

5. LEAVE NO TRACE – MAKE SURE YOU DEAL WITH YOUR CHOCCY WRAPPERS THE RIGHT WAY

There’s no better excuse to stuff your face with choccies than the Easter break, and while hundreds of individually wrapped eggs will go down an absolute treat, they’ll also create a whole heap of tiny bits of rubbish that could be of harm to the resident wildlife. Make sure that wrappers and any other rubbish ends up in the bin and not the floor. If you do decide to have an Easter egg hunt, make sure you remember the hiding location of every egg so that none get left behind in nature. You could even snap a photo of every hiding spot so that you can go back and double check they’ve all been found. You never know, you might be lucky enough to snag one that the crew have missed!

Words by Stacey Carrick

to CityLife’s Annual Special Wedding Feature.

In this edition, we proudly present the finest Cairns and Tropical North Queensland have to offer to help you look and feel your best on your wedding day, including a range of specialists in the industry.

There is a huge range of considerations in the lead-up to your wedding day, ranging from event managers, celebrants, venues, florists, photographers, videographers and audio-visual specialists to catering, DJs and bands, hairstylists, makeup and skin care.

WE SINCERELY HOPE OUR FEATURE WILL ASSIST YOU IN YOUR DECISIONMAKING AND PLANNING PROCESS AS WE PRESENT A RANGE OF OUR FAVOURITE EXPERTS IN THE INDUSTRY.

We also showcase a range of tips and a wedding preparation checklist to help you prepare and to ensure the smooth, stress-free running of your ceremony and reception.

In Far North Queensland, we are blessed to have a wide range of beautiful resorts, conference centres and stunning beaches to choose from, as well as stunning honeymoon destinations right on our doorstep.

The team at CityLife hope you enjoy perusing our range of experienced suppliers chosen specifically for you to make your day both memorable and magical.

What should couples look for in a wedding photographer?

It’s going to vary depending on what the couple want from their day.

Personally, I aim to deliver a beautiful record of the day, and I want the memories to be of moments that are alive with authenticity. If a couple are focused on the experience of the day, rather than a particular look, then I would suggest finding a photographer who can treat the day as a wedding, rather than a photo shoot.

For me, the best results happen when a couple feel free to get on with their day, be present with the process, the people, and be immersed in the actual moments they are sharing together. In my case, the photographer’s job is to capture those moments.

How important is the location, and do you prefer indoor or outdoor settings?

The main thing is that everyone, particularly the couple, are comfortable. In that sense, the location is important to the extent that it affects their mood on the day. It might be the case that there are folk of various ages in the wedding group, and it might not suit the grandparents to hike down to the beach for the ceremony.

I have a background in nature photography, so for me an outdoor setting always appeals. We’re in a uniquely gorgeous part of the country and the world, up here, so if possible, an outdoor setting is great. During the ceremony, my focus is on the couple, the subtle expressions, and sometimes it’s easier to have the formal parts of the ceremony without the unpredictabilities of the wind, light, and weather generally. If one opts for the inside setting for the ceremony, it’s easy access, easy to shoot the family and group shots, and then there’s always the option to head out for the portrait session and get as funky as you please.

What role does lighting play?

Lighting is often the “X” factor in an image – but things really happen when all the elements line up. First, we need the energy to be right, then the light. In most cases we achieve both.

What do you love about wedding photography?

I love to meet folk who are enjoying one of the most significant moments in their lives. I feel humbled by the trust I am shown, and love the vulnerability, the privilege of capturing their expressions of love, their crew, and to know that I’m going to deliver something that is precious to them, that will strengthen their union and bring smiles to their future days.

I love that we choose beautiful locations, gather our loved ones, frock up in the ultimate way, and dig in to find words, tears etc., to tell each other what we mean to each other. I love the ritual, and the uniqueness of each couple’s vision…. And I love to chase the light!

How do you create the perfect photo?

Create the feeling in the moment, and then let instinct take over…

What sets you apart from other photographers?

My years of experience allow me to focus on the people and their feelings. Many wedding days have begun lasting friendships. We each have a unique eye, and mine is creative and reverent of natural beauty. The landscape photography is a defining feature of my work.

Finally, I use the finest gear, study fiendishly, and am delighted to offer my couples seamless story telling with stills and video included in all of my packages.

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