Camping in Queensland's State Forests

Camping in State forests of Queensland is fun and costs very little.
Whether you want the comfort of tap water and hot showers or like to rough it away from the crowds.

A State forest is a natural area managed by the EPA Enviromental Protection Agency & Qld Parks & Wildlife Services.
To book your campsite and get a permit to camp, contact your local DNR office. They can also give you information on any special conditions that may apply at the site. Detailed maps are available from Sunmap, RACQ, Department of Environment and Heritage and DNR

When you arrive at a campground, check signs or the self-registration hut for special instructions on setting up camp.
If you have pre-booked and paid for your campsite, set up camp in any vacant site or as directed by the Ranger.

Oztrail Tent

Facilities at campgrounds vary.
At some camping areas you can expect a good range of facilities including vehicle parking, campsites, toilets, showers, barbecues and picnic tables.
Others are fairly basic with campsites, toilets and water.
Many have few or no facilities.
Many State forest camping areas provide toilet facilities designed for access by persons in wheelchairs .

Unless prohibited by signage dogs restrained on a leash or lead are allowed in State forests but are excluded from most campgrounds and may not remain on the State forest overnight.
The above restriction does not apply to registered guide dogs.
However, there are a number of campgrounds where dogs are permitted
Other domestic pets including cats are not allowed in State forests.

Stay Safe When Camping

Tent Pitching

Tips For Buying Camping Air Beds

Get a Camp Stove

Camping in Eungella National Park (Queensland)

Upper Mary Valley forests and national parks

Lightweight Backpacking Tent

Backpackers, cyclists, kayakers and others who use lightweight backpacking tents are about as varied crowd as any you could find. Can you say Rugged Individualist? That's a cross section of people who by definition resist definition. So let's look at some principles most of us can probably come close to agreeing on.

Pick a backpacking tent to handle the worst conditions you are likely to face whenever you might use it. A good quality backpacking tent will last for years with minimal care and that means you may use it in many climates. Heavy rains like the Pacific Northwest? High winds like in the Rockies? Snow? All of the above? This is one of the most critical components of your purchasing decision for your backpacking tent. Most people don't look far enough ahead and so they choose a tent that meets their immediate needs, but for the next trip they have to start over. Unless you're climbing Denali, you can probably find a tent that will be a real asset for most trips. It should tempt you to laugh at the elements and become like a trusted friend after a few trips-your refuge in the storm.

Look for a tent with a bucket floor which means it's waterproof on the bottom and water proof fabric extends a ways up the side. This is a non-negotiable feature in my opinion. The walls above the bucket floor need to breath. But you still want to put a ground cloth under your tent to keep it waterproof. Most tent walls are made from a fabric that will allow moisture to pass out of the tent so it will not condense and form droplets inside the backpacking tent. The rain is kept out with a waterproof second layer called a "rain-fly" which sits a couple inches above the breathable layer. The exception to this is when the fabric of the breathable layer is also waterproof. Some of the newer high tech fabrics like Gore-tex let water vapor pass through, but keep rain out. These can come at a premium, but they save weight.

Besides waterproofing, look for a backpacking tent that is bug proof, snake proof and scorpion proof. Many a pleasant evening has been ruined by a cloud of flying biting insects. Many lightweight tents have "no-see-um" mesh to keep out the smallest insects. This is why I don't recommend camping under tarps along but push for enclosed bug proof, lightweight camping tents.

Other things to consider are large mesh windows to allow good ventilation on stuffy or rainy nights. Another great benefit is stargazing while the skeeters learn the meaning of frustration. Think about where you will put your gear-minus your food-if the weather is inclement. If your pack needs to be sheltered, look for a tent with a gear canopy or you'll need extra space inside.

Whenever you are travelling under "muscle-power" compactness and weight are key concerns. Every inch and every pound is a big deal. A high quality ultralight backpacking tent is worth every ounce, but every ounce counts. Tent weights should be part of the description of the tent and must be evaluated carefully before you buy. At the end of a long day on the trail or the road, a few less pounds translate to a lot less sweat and soreness.

If you are looking for more information, or have specific questions, contact us at Bluemountaincampingtents

BIO: I've been an avid hiker, backpacker and camper since I was a child and have a lasting and enduring love for the outdoors. I've spent an entire summer consecutively living in a tent on the Appalachian Trail plus many weeks at a time beyond that on the trail and in campsites. I hope this article in some way encourages you to reconnect with the great outdoors.

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