Woody Head Camping Ground Bundjalung National Park {Review}

Woody Head - a great place for exploring the rock pools - only metres away from your pitch.

Woody Head Camping Ground is in the Bundjalung National Park, not far from the small town of Iluka in Northern NSW.  This place is magnificent!  

Those that know this park will happily testify that it is one of their favourites in Australia. We happily agree. This is a place where you can camp right near the water, with stunning water views and also be away from the crowds (well at least during the week), a special piece of paradise.

Ocean views from many of the sites

Our pitch

We were lucky enough to see a school of stingrays on a walk around the craggy rocks, apparantly washed in from a tide but unable to get back out. The day we were leaving was the rescue attempt by the NSW Park and Wildlife.

We also went on a walk through the World Heritage National Park Rainforest walk, hoping to see a rare bird - the Noisy Pitta.  We didnt see it, but it was a good way to see other local wildlife, birds, kangaroos, skinks and the coastal emu - of which only a hundred or so survive.

All sites here are unpowered, but the park does have hot showers (20 cent charge, so bring change!) and flush toilets. The park is generally quiet during the week, but gets busy on the weekends and school holidays.  You can pre book online and even reserve a site though, so do your homework, pick a date and hop online and book. 

View from the beach to G1 - the best site at Woody Head in our opinion

Woody Head camping sites

I looked around the grounds and G1 was my pick of the sites as it is unobstructed views to the water. If you want some privacy and being on the water isn't a must then G9 is tucked away nicely, and has their own fire pit, as well as being reasonably close to the amenities block.

Each site has a levelled, shade-cloth covered pitch area, which makes pitching a breeze.  

This is a fantastic place for families as the water is shallow, lots of exploring the rock pools for kids, and fires at night to toast marshmallows.   Kangaroos feed late in the afternoon, and Plovers build their nests near sites, sitting patiently on their eggs.  You can also spot Goannas here too. 

We will be back here again soon.  This is one of the most magnificent places we have stayed to date.  Leave the window and door flaps open at night, and fall asleep star gazing! 

Woody Head is only a 2 minute drive from Iluka which has a new supermarket, a petrol station, and several shops. It is a nice village on the water with many holiday cottages. It is pleasant just ambling around the shops and taking in all the sea views. A short ferry ride will take you across to the more upmarket Yamba, which is  lively with tourists.  There is a good fisherman's co-op which sells fresh Yamba Prawns and seafood ( try the cooked whiting). 

The Iluka Sunset

We prefer  sleepy Iluka, which hasn't changed at all in 20 years. For a great sunset view, head to the Iluka Hotel on the Waterfront, take a table outside, a drink,  and relax and take in the views.  For dinner we chose the Chinese restaurant at the local Bowls Club - the prawns were fantastic! 

Happy Camping!

Twisty Campfire Bread {Recipe}

Twisty Campfire Bread!

3 cups plain flour
1/8 cup natural sugar
3 tsp sea salt
1 tbls baking powder
4 tbls very soft butter
2 tsp warm water

* Mix all the dry ingredients by hand in a bowl.
* Pour in the water and bring together. It may feel dry, in which case add water drop by drop.
* Cut up the soft butter and mix into the mixture, knead until soft and glossy.
* Split into equal size balls, about the size of a golfball, and roll out between your hands into a snake shape.
* Wind the snake around the green sticks (these must be green wood so that they don’t burn easily).
* You can, at this point, egg wash the bread and then cook over a hot flame until golden.

Source: The Girl with the Wooden Spoon

To Decal or not to Decal?

Well we just bought a "new" caravan.

New to us but pretty old.  I am guessing mid 70s but I am not really sure.  It is a York, it is going to be a challenge.  We were so desperate to buy a van, that we inspected with rose coloured glasses.  Today we went inside and spent some time in there.  There really is a lot of work.  We are probably going to have to do a total re-lining, not something that we originally wanted to do.  If you know us, you will know we are about as handy as a bikini in a snow storm!

....and ofcourse I am getting ahead of myself.  I have already chosen the fabric for our curtains.  We also have a vintage fabric store , so that part was easy.  I found an amazing bolt of vintage 70s orange and yellow fabric that will be perfect for the job.

I have also found the perfect awning and colour scheme.  I know I should probably keep it more original but brown is not very inspiring.  Below is what I had in mind.   I am going to order this awning from the US.  No one here seems to know what I want and they only make those roll out kind of awnings.  I want one more like the original.

From Vintage Trailer Supplies

My other question, which is really quite irrelevant at this stage is, to decal or not to decal.  I keep seeing gorgeous flower power looking vans and thought that ours could look sweet like that too.  Mr Posh Camping is not so convinced!  What do you think?  (photos via Pinterest)

Airstream Eye Candy!

Photos via Jelanie

These photos are via Jelanie.  I am in love!

Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat {Review}

Jindabyne - Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat 

The Snowy Mountains are great to visit all year round, but for those of us who live in the Sunshine State, winter and flurries of snow can make the heart pump a little faster.  

So the posh camping team took a trip to Jindabyne recently, and this is what we discovered.

I love meaningless facts and therefore I am now proud to announce we stayed at Australia's Highest Tourist Park.  We are talking about Kosciuszko Retreat which is actually situated inside the National Park itself.  Close by are the Perisher ski fields (15 minutes drive on sealed roads), Lake Jindabyne and many good bushwalking trails. The park is just 15 minutes drive from the Jindabyne township which has a good selection of restaurants, not to mention one of the most fantastic book stores in the land.

Photo via Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat.  Cosy cabins in winter!

Only the very hardy would brave camping here in winter! 

We chose the option of staying in an Alpine Cabin. The cabin itself was basic but clean, and tidy with full kitchen and bathroom facilities. There were just three in our party but it slept six. 
The view is great - we saw Kangaroos out our window most days and there are good views to the National Park. We cooked most nights and sat around the outdoor fires and reflected over a glass or two of red wine. We loved the ambience of the place.

The skifields are close by, and so with Winter being the busy season. the price goes up for the cabins, although the website offers specials for longer stays. There are a few different types of cabins and camping, and on-site van options are also available.  We are hoping to try the camping option in one of the warmer months, as it does snow here in the park.  The camping areas are private, quiet and shady.  This is definitely a back to nature park, and that is the way we like it! 

This felt like the camping we did as kids - it felt traditional and wholesome, being in the peace of the National Park, with the mountains nearby. This felt like our special place, and whilst there were other people about, there was a overwhelming serenity and earthiness about staying here.

The owners are friendly and willing to help out. You can buy your ice here at the small reception store as well as an ice cream and drinks.  Jindabyne is close in any case and we managed to find a Gloria Jeans for our coffee fix. 

There is a kitchen and dining room that is a good meeting spot for everyone. It has a nice central fire that we all sat around and kept warm by at night.  In the wintery cold, the food and the wine seemed to taste better.

We loved this place. We will be back. 

Handy hint - hire your ski gear in Jindabyne before heading up to your accommodation, it is cheaper and faster than doing it at the slopes!

The fine details:

The Tourist Park is situated inside the Kosciuszko National Park (Fee's apply) and provides a variety of Snowy Mountains  accommodation in self-contained Cabins & Chalets, Caravan sites and Camping facilities.

The unique location is surrounded by the Perisher Valley ski fields, Alpine Lakes, Trout streams, pristine Alpine bushland and wildlife. There 51 bushwalking tracks nearby and we have the benefit of many restaurants and shops just 15 minutes away in Jindabyne.

PMB3 Jindabyne, NSW 2627
Phone: (02) 6456 2224 .. Fax: (02) 6456 1415 

Email: info@kositreat.com.au 

Park Features

Self Contained Accommodation: All of our accommodation is fully self-contained for the convenience of families and those guests who prefer to prepare their own meals. Drive Through Caravan Sites: All powered caravan site are spacious  'Drive-through' set among the snowgums and have their own campfire*. Most sites also have the convenience of a picnic table & bench seats near their site. Campfires: Campfires* are provided to all powered sites and to most of the unpowered camping sites Camp Kitchen:   A large camp kitchen is provided for the enjoyment of all guests. It is fully equipped with a large barbecue, two stoves (with ovens), sink and food preparation area, Fridges, a  large wood fireplace* with lounges, dining table & chairs, a billiard table.  *Bagged fire wood available at office. Bushwalking Tracks: Many of the 58 Alpine Bushwalking in the Kosciuszko National Park start at or nearby Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat. There are picturesque  alpine tracks  to suit all ages and level of fitness. Wildlife: Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat has a family of kangaroos living in the Park. Also in the surrounding bushland there are wallabies, wombats, squirrel gliders, possums and platypus in the nearby streams, and, if you walk quietly enough and remain vigilant you may spot a spotted-tailed quoll or pygmy possum. The pygmy posum is a mouse sized animal that was believed to be extinct until unexpectedly discovered in 1966. Like othe small mammals in the alpine region, the pygmy possum survives the winter under a layer of snow.   Mountain Streams: Running through Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat is 'Sawpit Creek*' which runs into the Thredbo River just a short distance from our park. Also close by is the famous Snowy River. Most of these provide excellent trout fishing spots in a beautiful alpine setting. *Closed to fishing Drying Room: For the benefit of our skiers, we provide a large Drying Room throughout  winter to ensure you have dry boots and Clothes for your next day on the snow.   Playground: A playground is provided to keep our smaller guests entertained with a basketball hoop for the older kids. Kiosk: A modest kiosk is situated in the reception office to provide basic need of our guests. - Milk, bread, ice, sweets, ice-creams, drinks, firelighters, Bagged fire wood  and some basic packet and tined food items. Proximity to Restaurants & Shopping Centre: It is just a 10 minute drive down the mountain to Jindabyne where you will find many excellent restaurants as well as a major shopping centre with a Woolworths Supermarket for your food and personal supplies.

PInterest!

Are you on Pinterest?  Well if you not you need to be!  Pinterest is your virtual pinboard!

This is where we store our funky photos, great ideas, recipes and helpful hints, as well as reviews on goods and camping grounds.  You could seriously spend hours on here.  I have serious caravan envy after seeing such amazing images.

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