This was new to us! Camping is huge in Oz. In the old days it was cheap and cheerful and mainly families or young couples that you met on the tracks. Now days it's an industry of it's own - Huge vans and 4WDs that many people have downsized to and actually live in, leading a nomadic lifestyle following the good weather (ie grey nomads). Caravan Parks offer wonderful amenities but are now quite expensive - a powered site costs roughly $40 per night. A network of assorted free camping sites have sprung up around the country. They usually offer very little other than a toilet and the company of other travellers. This site outside Lightning Ridge illustrates the inventive minds of the people who live in this harsh area - it's night-time, it's dark and you just have to use that toilet! No worries - drive over, shine your headlights on the panel below, the light is reflected upwards, a mirror sends it down at an angle just right to illuminate the toilet seat - no spider shall get you!!
That is too funny. Being a grey nomad is on my bucket list - the grey hair part is closest to being achieved so far. I would be more worried about snakes than spiders though.
@fbailey Hi FB - definitely grey hair. And it's nearly mandatory that you enjoy "Happy Hour" at about 4.30pm when most nomads indulge in a beer and bikkies outside their van - or gather in a small group to do the same. They are usually a very friendly group who swap stories and recommendations as they go. :)
