To not want to camp in the Australian outback?

[MrsMushroom]

Would you? We're going to Oz to see DHs family and friends....he's excited and so am I....and the DC aged 4 and 8.

He has just told me that his best mate is planning a family camping trip and we're all going.

AIBU to not want to? I HATE camping...and the outback is frightening frankly. There's nothing there ffs!

They love it..him and his mates.but I can't imagine what you do! They have done it lots but tbh I find the heat in Australia far too much and can just see myself sitting in a tent, melting and miserable...it IS beautiful in a bleak kind of way....but you can't walk far and there's nothing to do.

It seems to me, to be something a lot of people would like to do in their imaginations...but the reality is that being so far from shops etc will get me down. I can't imagine I will get broadband either.

WIBU to send the DC with him and not go myself? I have VERY pale skin...think blueish...and reddish hair.

I'll just melt or shrivel up out there!

If you don't want to camp, don't camp. Full stop.

If you wanted to dip a toe into it, you could suggest renting an air conditioned camper van/motorhome thing.

Camping is a marmite activity regardless of where you are. If you hate camping then dont go.

I camped loads in Oz, including a mega tour up through the middle then west across the top and down to Perth. One of the best experiences of my life, for the stargazing if nothing else. The flies were a bitch and we ran out of food but apart from that it was incredible.

Whereabouts in Australia are you going, and when? I've camped loads in Oz and I'd guess that they'd be very unlikely to be heading for "the Outback" - more likely a National Park campsite or a beach camping site, so yes, maybe rural & perhaps no broadband, but not arid red desert! It takes a long time to get to the Outback from most of the cities.

A lot of the beach campsites are very near towns etc so you can get a fix of civilisation, shops, broadband etc before returning to the camp.

I'd say YABU, but I love camping and it was fantastic in Australia. Yes it may be hot & there may be flies/mozzies, but you are unlikely to be troubled by snakes etc, the birdsong is amazing, the night sky wonderful (I still miss looking for the Southern Cross). I'd go for it!

I did this 10 odd years back. Was in Northern Territory. Loads and loads of snakes. Had to seal ourselves into swag bags. Never again b

I wouldn't go. I wouldn't want my kids to go, either.

You seem to have attracted the pro camping lobby

What an amazing opportunity, you will love it.

You will forget all your hesitations, the moment it gets dark, the sky is amazing,

down load 'night sky' app, you won't regret the 60p, lie back and look at the sky. second time today on here, I have recommend that app.

Tbh I wouldn't camp in the far north. I stuck to hostels and solid structures in kakadu and darwin. Whereabouts will it be op?

I want to ask the pro-camping lobby about how they'd feel if they were forced to stay in a hotel.

Honestly, I loathed camping before Australia but it completely changed my mind (I will only go glamping in the uk so I am a bit of a wuss really)

Psstt! She said she 'hates camping.'

I don't do camping, or heat so you have my sympathy. Time for the Mumsnet classic, "No" is a complete sentence.

The one thing I remember about camping in the out back was the stars, I still have that memory of the sky looking like thousands of diamonds, that was when we couldn't put the tent up as the ground was to hard and the pegs kept bending over instead of entering the ground - we gave up out.

I'd refuse.Camping is hell on earth imho,and I wouldn't do it again if you paid me. Even as a child the thought of camping gave me the shudders,and I'd had to have been dragged kicking and screaming into a tent.

forced to stay in a hotel - love it wonderful time

An amazing opportunity . . . to be miserable because you don't want to be there, get bit by snakes, insects, be worried for your kids because it's dangerous. Yep, you'll love it. NOT.

I get bitten by everything and anything. But, I had a fab time camping for three nights in the Outback (near Uluru). Use lots of strong repellent and you'll be fine. As a few others have said, the sky at night really does make it all worth it.

How far into the outback are you really going though? Our flight to the outback took a good few hours, so maybe you're just going inland a little bit? Go on, you'll all love it!

She hates camping.

I also camped for a few nights more than 20 years ago - in the Northern Territory. Was fantastic .... was going to mention the stars too - they were just magical and something you can't really imagine without seeing for yourself. The sky looks so so different without light pollution - mesmerising.

Don't go then

Yanbu on this.

I have camped in the outback. It rained, it was cloudy so no stars, I was bitten by a spider, it was too hot, it was too sandy, the swag ponged, it was too hot for a tent and I really regretted camping spoiling my trip wasn't that keen at all. Certainly wouldn't do it again. I hate camping in the uk too (hate cold and mud too).

If it's a nice motor home on a well-equipped site with running water and mod cons then it might be ok. Otherwise, stay back in Sydney and enjoy done peace while the blokes have their little holiday.

Just send him off with the DCs and don't go!

Freudian, we went to Pebbly Beach too, loved it . You are the first person I have come across since (14 years ago) who has been there.

The ground was so dry we couldn't get our tent pegs in the ground, wanted to stay in a cabin but the owner didn't like backpackers so we stayed in a tiny ancient 2 berth touring caravan. An amazing place. How long ago were you there?

Just spoke to DH and asked "But what do you actually DO on a camping trip like this?"

He told me that you play games (aaargh) you go fishing (OMG) you sit and look at nature (Isn't it just sand and rocks?) and that you drink and eat.

I said that I would bring my sketchbook and draw sand make some nice sketches of what I could see...I think he really wants me to go. So I will.

I had a friend who was backpacking with other friends of mine. She camped out in the outback and woke up in the middle of the night with a huntsman spider on her face. She screamed a lot. They aren't the very dangerous to humans but they are the size of your hand...

...I'm not going to help the OP with that gem am I? But it is true and not an urban myth!

But that aside, if you have the chance to go, go! Everyone I know who has done it hasn't regretted it, despite the wildlife and sunburn.