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!

Mind you even though we camped all over the place I still wouldn't sleep outside without at least the inside bit of the tent - it's sufficient to keep the crawling insects, spiders and mozzies out ....we only camped like that in the Northern Territories, otherwise I want a tent and a comfy bed mat!

Dropbears :)

But where are you going? It will be the rainy season up North, crocs galore, impassable roads. DH and I drove 2,000 kms across the Kimberleys, though Kakadu and up to Darwin this past Aussie winter, then flew down to Uluru... I like camping, but insisted on a roughly 50% split between hotel and campsite, as I wanted to be guaranteed more traditional comforts as well. The sites were fab, and very family friendly (the ones that weren't I doubt are on your itineary, took hours to drive into on corrugated roads etc.) I've camped a lot in Victoria also - lots of stunning riverside camps, giant gums, just divine. Or beach and bush - great also. I've camped in the New Forest here in the UK a bit - it's quite a similar feel to lots of places in Victoria. I tend to sit and read a book. So relaxing. As long as you don't get lumbered with all the skivvy work for DH and his mates (make it part of the deal that you'll only go if you are not the one washing dishes in the river! I hate this part... but again, that kind of skivvying is only necessary if it isn't an established site you're being taken to.) The kids will really love it.
But really, I can't judge whether you're BU as you haven't given any detail as to the nature of your camping. If it is a 'family camping trip' I doubt it is being planned for anywhere too far from civilisation.

It's my idea of hell. Camping = having to walk to the loo in the middle of the night, no electric, no running water, not being able to sleep. Throw in some fucking scary creatures (spiders, snakes, dingos, crocs, wild boar, etc) and you're in Oz. Not a chance!

get dh to find out where exactly this trip is going to be and then we can investigate it further