Sultans Of Oink

Camping Gear – Tentworld Burleigh Heads Queensland Australia

I was in luck today as I had to come to Queensland from New South Wales, Which gave me the chance to go to Tentworld.

I was going to Canberra to see one of the stores but found one up here. They are located in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

They had a great range of tents set up that you can climb inside and generally snoop about. The rooftop tents were also set up on display.…

A Visit To Super Bee Honey World – Gold Coast Queensland Australia

Today we headed out to get some honey for Sally’s I’ll father. We knew about Super Bee Honey World from our last visit to the Gold Coast. Parking was free out the side of the building but this cow from the National Parks And Wildlife service had an issue with us parking in the designated spots as this meant we avoided paying the $10 for parking. How this person is able to even be close to any…

Its mega big and more importantly had an inlet for a power cable. If it wasn’t set up I would have walked out without a tent as I really wasn’t looking. It really is perfect and Im really happy with the quality.

I went bananas taking photos to upload onto google maps but I will place a gallery in here.

We still have so much to buy such as Kayaks and bikes all from Anaconda. I couldn’t believe the prices of bikes, so cheap. Im a big fan of the Kayaks and having five kids $10 or $20 on the price of Kayaks adds up. I will definitely be buying from here. I get nothing from Anaconda, Im just really happy having found the store for myself.

I will keep updating the page and will be adding videos of the setup and the setup of the camper trailer. Heres a gallery of photos at Anaconda Newcastle NSW Australia.

There were so many good things on offer from tents, sleeping bags, Kayaks, fishing gear, 12 solar systems etc. I was shocked at how cheap this store was. I picked up a pair of hiking boots already half price and reduced a further 30%.  My daughters wanted the Kayaks though we had no way of getting them home until we get the camper trailer. The tents were very good quality and most were set up so you could gauge if they met your needs. I usually buy gear from Kmart and stores like that. With the tents, we were always going to go to a reputable camping store to ensure the quality we need. I was just shocked how awesome this place was. I signed up for membership as it did bring the prices down dramatically.

Im looking for a solar system and battery pack as the wife has sleep apnea and requires a machine to help breath through the night. Because of this, we wouldn’t be able to go to unpowered sights without a battery storage system set up.

Im still saving like crazy to afford the camper trailer and we are selling all the stuff we don’t need on eBay to help fund the camper. Im also trying to stop smoking, therefore, having a lot more money free to put toward it.

Here are some photos inside Anaconda.

We thought we would buy a camper and we were pretty set on a particular one. We have decided mainly cost wise to build our own.

We are buying a 7×5 High Side Box Trailer as the starting point. This will cost us around the $1200 mark for the base model. We will be adding a 7×5 foot by 900mm high cage to give us a frame to work with that is solid to start with. We are toying with the idea of a…

The camper is around $3500 with the addition of $277 for the 240 Volt and also $500 for the tow bar installation. So around $4300 and we are set to go.

The camper comes with a king size bed and an additional bedroom also a fully enclosed annexe that we will use to cook and sleep the other children. The tent areas are absolutely massive compared to the others on the market.

Our main use will be weekend trips to Port Stephens NSW, Canberra ACT, Tamworth NSW and really anywhere we can afford and have the time to visit.

There were a few nuts and bolts we need to sort out like a toilet for emergencies as I have 5 girls that always need to stop to go to the toilet when we travel. It’s just in case we are not going to make it in time for them. They are pretty nasty the toilets but at least its something. You have to buy the chemicals also. I have taken a photo.

We were tossing up whether to get a cooler and use ice or buy a fridge and use a battery pack to run it on 12 Volt. We really have no idea whats the best way for up. Ice isnt cheap though buying a 12 volt system to run just a fridge is a waste. We will have access to 240 Volt at the caravan park so its all just a mixed bag of not knowing which is going to be best or easiest.

we will run LED light strips of a power bank that we charge our phones off if it works as im not keen on having 240 Volt lights set up. For cooking we are just buying the Gas two burner cooktop and add a BBQ plate on it as thats an option for the burner. The other good thing is the gas comes in cans for the cooktop though we will still take a 9kg gas bottle also. The Gas bottle will be for cooking and for the gas lanterns which produce massive amounts of light.

We are looking at having the money by late January so in the mean time we can still go accessorie shopping as who doesnt like an accessory.

As you can see its small and compact though the base model had no bed, shelving electrics etc, its just a shell.

We have decided to save for a bit longer and buy a full size caravan. Either a pop top caravan or a fully enclosed caravan. Whilst its twice the price of a camping pod we have the benefit of powerpoints everywhere. a kitchen and air conditioning etc. The mrs isnt worried about the 12-18 inch pop top or if its hard sided the whole way. She wanted to avoid the caravans that are half van half tent as she wouldnt feel safe in it or safely leave a computer in it if we were to drive to the shops.  Some photos of the inside of the tent style caravan.

  Here is some we liked just mainly from the outside as really they all are pretty much the same inside.

  We are set on the full hard sided van with or without a 12-18 inch pop top. We want the bed to be a double bed rather than two singles and converting it. We are also looking at if available in our price range to hopefully get a toilet and shower though the shower is not a deal breaker.  if you have ever been on a cruise you will appreciate that these caravans are not pokey compared to a cruise cabin. I think thats the best way of describing the size.

Now to pay for it the wife is going to take on some freelance work and we are both giving up smokiing so we can buy it. A bit of a win in that regard. We really wont borrow money for the van as its not really an option as paying back a loan is a hassle and you always have to have the money. you can never have a short week, so save we will.

In the mean time we will do research on the vans avaiable and all the bits and pieces required. I didnt mention before but the caravan we choose has to be towable from our mitsubishi outlander which is 1500kg. That is a deal buster as we dont want to have to buy a new car as tis car is new and we really dont want to buy a car in the next category up due to fuel prices.

Our first few options are to buy an old banger and restore it or to purchase something semi resonable but being more a pop top style of camper in our price range. The trouble with the pop top campers is the set up and possible leakage. Im not talking about a pop top thats just the roof for 12 extra inches of headroom but rather the style that is half the van being a tent style. The other option being an older van that has either a pop top of 12 inchees or maybe a fully enclosed style witch is our preference as we can stop have a cup of coffee without any setup.

Heres a few of the styyle we saw. the first is a very small pop top the other is arger but more tent material than van.

  This is the van is half tent half van.

  We looked at a few old bangers and they were in our price range but its very hard to know what the condition of the frame is in and all the electricals. Like I said we are after something small for short trips to get used to it all but we really like the idea of stripping a caravan and renovating it also. Well this is my favoured option.

Our ultimate goal is to rent out our house to the kids ashell, they aint moving! And simply travel. We were looking at buying a unit but we have all the time in the world so the kids will look after the house and we can just be of no fixed address and travel round Australia with a month here a month there etc.

Can you all follow my blog for updates on our search and whether we purchase and renovate.

The is a whole historical blurb on how the park came to be and the purchase of the land and the naming of sections of the park which date back to 1935.

The park has many attractions such as the ducks that just waddle by to full on wildlife encounters that are organised on site. The bushland and the ponds are definatly somthing to see and are impecably maintained by Newcastle Council. They have really done a top job out here providing up to date childrens play equipment and making the park look amazing.

Parking is on the meter but it is, no joke, the cheapest meter parking you will find. Im sure its there just to turn people over so more people have access to the park. There is a stack of parking though.

They have picnic areas as well as covered areas that are available. BBQ facilities are on site. This place has it all, but just dont feed the ducks as there is a notice up about it. This is a bit of a shame as the kids really wanted to feed them but im sure there is good reason as the council has been so good about everything else.

I have a few still photos and if you scroll down I also have uploaded some 360° Photos which I really love taking as it gives you the ability to turn and look around.

Red Head Beach – NSW – Australia

Redhead beach is located at Lake Macquarie close to Newcastle in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The beach has a surf club and a kiosk and restaurant.

The cliffs are striking and the beach itself has amazing sand and surf. A prominent feature is an elevated lookout chair that was used from around the 1920’s to spot sharks and warn beachgoers.

They have plenty of parking, which is free,…

Of course, you may just lounge by the pool with a few cocktails or beers and listen to the music or you may enjoy one of the many pay per use things such as the day spa. Things such as the spa may also have seminars on treatments and the casino is in operation most of the time also.

There is no way you will be bored on sea days if you look at whats on. Personally, I hate the at auctions. Unless you buy art onshore and you know the prices ashore what are you doing buying at auction on a ship? My belief is its overpriced twaddle.

I have a few copies of the Carnival Spirit’s Fun Times Magazine/brochure I have digitised.  Click the images to make them bigger!

  Here’s a copy of the Spa prices and this is very popular onboard.

Speciality dining is always an option with all. cruise lines from cheap to expensive. Most are steak houses though on board the Carnival Spirit  there was Bonsai Sushi and also Blue Iguana, there were others such ass Guy’s Burger Joint included in your fare so there is plenty to eat.

Things I like were the selection of cakes at the coffee shop. Whilst you pay for these on top of your fare, trust me, you will love it.

  There are just so many options. The Carnival Spirit offers free 24hr pizza and the have a good range. All made from scratch in front of you, so no premade bases. the really are great.

As the Buffet was so good I only ate at the main dining room once on the four night. If I was hungry later on at night I would just get a pizza. I have  few photos on the menue for the main dining room and Buffet. Click to make them larger to read them. This was a one day snapshot.

This is all just to give you an idea what you can expect. The Carnival Cruise Line does food very well. I didnt have a night where I felt that I really didnt like anything. if you get a chance try Carnival if youve not been on her before. Its just sensational and a very cheap holiday.

Carnival Spirit Cruise – Sydney to Moreton Island Queensland

We had booked on the Carnival Spirit cruise ship to go on a four night cruise to Moreton Island Queensland depparting Sydney.

We booked a twin share balcony cabin. To get there, we travelled by train from Cardiff to Central to Circular quay as the ship was leaving from the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

We were to board at 12.30 thoough this wasw pushed back an additional hour due to an outbreak of…

Is There Anything More Australian?

I can’t believe in such a short time a company has been able to create a universally accepted Australian tradition. I’m of course speaking of the Bunnings bbq. It would be un-Australian to not have at least once in your life had a sausage sandwich and a can of drink from there.

The bbq is run by a different charity each week though the menu and prices are universal. Charities book sometimes six…