Tasmania - here I come!

Part of the Overland Track, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

I'm heading south. Today I'm setting off for Tasmania. A three-day road-trip to Spirit of Tasmania. It's very exciting. I wonder how long that excitement will last? I mean, really, man and wife, two children aged five and seven, and a caravan? For nearly five weeks. I chuckle, and then try and get my breath again. 

We haven't planned much. But do think we will go via Mount Gambier and Warnambool. We've booked the overnight sail on the Spirit of Tasmania, then... rambles. Rambles until Ben starts the Overland Track hike with my Dad. I think I'm okay with that. I have done it. But gee, I love hiking and being surrounded by just nature. And hey, I'll get to spend the week with the kids. Eek. There are wineries around, yes? 

You know, when we planned to be in Tasmania for a month, I thought that would be plenty of time. Appears not. I'm already upset that we are only going to have two days around Bruny Island and Huon Valley. I feel like I'm missing towns I want to stay in. I want more. I'm already thinking we have to go back for Tamar Valley and Huon Valley - two places with not much scheduled time. Argh. 

Anyway, stay tuned. I'll be writing and posting pics to Instagram as we go. Tasmania - you are gorgeous. Can't wait!

Client showcase: Whyalla Caravan Park

Whyalla Caravan Park - who's been? It's a quiet place, on the outskirts of town. I'd never heard of it until they called asking for one of my Editorial Packages. 

As the sun was going down one day, I discovered the park. There are areas for workers, families, grey nomads and solo travellers in all sorts of accommodation. From grassy sites to villas to workers single rooms down the back. 

There is a relaxed, and ultra green grassed, area right next to the bbq, perfect for lounging the afternoon away. A fire pit keeps you warm as the sun goes down. 

Anyway, I worked myself silly for one hour, and here are the results... this is an Editorial Package which is a basic photo shoot and edit. Nothing weird and wonderful being enhanced here. :)

These are not advertising images where I work over them in retouch - removing all distractions, fixing light, and in fact, ensuring light is 'just right' for the shoot in the first place. We do what we can do with our one hour.

I'm pretty happy with the results - and most importantly, so is my client. 

I'm heading Tasmania way in March for nearly a month - if you are down there and keen, get in touch! Or, please pass the word on. I can't wait to discover more of Tassie...

What's happening with camping?

Caravan, camper trailer or tent?

We stayed at the caravan park in Port Elliot for the October long weekend. It got me thinking. Camping, and they way we do it, has changed in my lifetime. When I was young, I remember tents being the norm. Nowadays, caravans and camper trailers are the norms. Tents are few and far between. 

Why is that?

Are we getting snobby? Can we not afford hotels and holiday houses but still want comfort? Do we hate camping out in tents now? Are we trying to keep up with the Jones'? Or is it that prices are rising, and people that would normally get a holiday house or stay in a hotel are being pushed out of that market. At $75 plus a night for a grass site over a holiday period, consider the cost of a holiday home - maybe that is the case. All prices are rising. 

I love to rough it - or more correctly, I used to. My idea of real camping is packing the basics and heading to nature. No gourmet meals, sometimes not even chairs to sit on. A sleeping mat - ha, only when required. I would pack a salad, chickpeas, baked beans, sandwich stuff (gluten free at the moment - grr). No sauces or herbs and flavourings, keep it plain. But I haven't done this in years. Hubby likes to eat yummy stuff. I don't blame him, most people do.  

We have had a camper trailer for about five years but are now nearing the (nearly inevitable) debate of upgrading to a caravan or selling it. It doesn't get that much use, and we figure for the $ we could sell it for, we could pay for cabins when we want to go to a caravan park. And I do love a caravan park holiday with kids. 

It's common to find in caravan parks...
Patchy prickly lawned sites (if they have grass sites)
Boozy holidaymakers are drinking first thing in the morning or getting rowdy after dark
Toilets that need a key or code. 
Kids waking before the crack of dawn (normally mine)

But you also find...
kids having fun with new friends
lots of relaxing
not needing to lock up your tent
and an overwhelming strange sense of 'everything is good' and letting your children out of your sight

You don't often get one without the other - in peak season at least. Perhaps this is a discussion for around the campfire?

Just out of interest, who remembers paying $20-25 a night for sites? I do.