Would you stealth camp here?
02-15-09, 02:05 AM
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Would you stealth camp here?
Man, I love Google Street View of Australia on Google Maps!
As I've never done any unsupported touring with camp out experience, here I am trying to look at the land ahead of time. Would you camp on the side of the roads like this one here?
As I've never done any unsupported touring with camp out experience, here I am trying to look at the land ahead of time. Would you camp on the side of the roads like this one here?
02-15-09, 02:36 AM
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Well, the fires haven't burnt that area ... yet, anyway ... so that's a good thing.
I think it was right in that area where a huge (but apparently not poisonous) spider crawled onto my handlebar bag when I stopped for a behind-the-bushes break.
I've been to both Welshpool and Port Welshpool. I just cycled through Welshpool, but stayed the night in Port Welshpool which has a nice campground in it. I'd actually recommend going down there.
I'd also recommend getting some camp out experience before you go.
This is Welshpool, I think I've got photos of Port Welshpool as well, but not online:
I think it was right in that area where a huge (but apparently not poisonous) spider crawled onto my handlebar bag when I stopped for a behind-the-bushes break.
I've been to both Welshpool and Port Welshpool. I just cycled through Welshpool, but stayed the night in Port Welshpool which has a nice campground in it. I'd actually recommend going down there.
I'd also recommend getting some camp out experience before you go.
This is Welshpool, I think I've got photos of Port Welshpool as well, but not online:
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Last edited by Machka; 02-15-09 at 02:43 AM.
02-15-09, 04:13 AM
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Thank Machka! I was checking out your website last night...amazing (1200km in less than 4 days!!!).
My actual stop on that day is Foster...but I guess I'll be able to make it to Port Welshpool if needed (an extra hour on the bike).
And yes, I plan on camping a few time before I head off so that I'll know what to expect.
My actual stop on that day is Foster...but I guess I'll be able to make it to Port Welshpool if needed (an extra hour on the bike).
And yes, I plan on camping a few time before I head off so that I'll know what to expect.
02-15-09, 06:28 AM
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i don't think stealth camping in that spot would work out all that well. its a small group of trees next to some ones house. if the house wasn't there it would probably work out fine.
02-15-09, 10:17 AM
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perhaps there's a stealth camper in that google photo already...
02-15-09, 12:55 PM
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It's good someone has experience with the specific spot you mentioned. (Where hasn't Machka ridden?) lol
But one of the main attractions of stealth is it gives you incredible flexibility; you shouldn't 'have' to pre-plan the end of each riding day. A true stealth master needs to be able to assess the current area, determine if it's workable, then decide to stay or move on to stealthier terrain.
But one of the main attractions of stealth is it gives you incredible flexibility; you shouldn't 'have' to pre-plan the end of each riding day. A true stealth master needs to be able to assess the current area, determine if it's workable, then decide to stay or move on to stealthier terrain.
02-15-09, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Chatbox
Thank Machka! I was checking out your website last night...amazing (1200km in less than 4 days!!!).
My actual stop on that day is Foster...but I guess I'll be able to make it to Port Welshpool if needed (an extra hour on the bike).
And yes, I plan on camping a few time before I head off so that I'll know what to expect.
My actual stop on that day is Foster...but I guess I'll be able to make it to Port Welshpool if needed (an extra hour on the bike).
And yes, I plan on camping a few time before I head off so that I'll know what to expect.
And thanks.
02-16-09, 02:42 AM
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it'll be hard to stealth camp that area unless you roll up after dark and leave early, there's just not that much vegetation to hide behind. on the other hand, you could just ask one of the farmers if you could set up in their paddock. there's a nice hostel in foster, too.
i hope you're planning on going down to wilson's prom, the guy running the hostel in foster will hook you up with a ride if you don't feel like riding there & back. the view from mt. oberon is worth the effort.
i hope you're planning on going down to wilson's prom, the guy running the hostel in foster will hook you up with a ride if you don't feel like riding there & back. the view from mt. oberon is worth the effort.
02-16-09, 04:38 AM
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mattlavallee, my trip starts at the end of June / <very> early July. According to Geoscience Australia's data of the sunrise and sunset times during that period, I'll be alright I think:
My original first day route was to go from Melbourne to Foster and stay in a YHA hostel there for a night. I just went to Google Map and had a look at Mt.Oberon. That's quite a view!! Thank you for pointing that out, I really appreciate it! I'll definite fit that into my route!!
Code:
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
rise set rise set rise set rise set rise set rise set
1 0834 1804 0817 1826 0737 1853 0650 1919 0606 1951 0544 2024
2 0834 1804 0816 1827 0736 1854 0648 1920 0605 1952 0544 2025
3 0833 1805 0815 1828 0734 1855 0647 1921 0604 1953 0544 2026
4 0833 1806 0814 1828 0733 1855 0645 1922 0603 1954 0544 2027
5 0833 1806 0813 1829 0731 1856 0644 1923 0602 1955 0544 2027
6 0833 1807 0812 1830 0730 1857 0642 1924 0601 1956 0544 2028
7 0833 1807 0811 1831 0728 1858 0641 1925 0600 1958 0544 2029
8 0832 1808 0809 1832 0726 1859 0639 1926 0559 1959 0544 2030
9 0832 1808 0808 1833 0725 1900 0638 1927 0558 2000 0544 2031
10 0832 1809 0807 1834 0723 1901 0636 1928 0557 2001 0544 2032
11 0831 1810 0806 1835 0722 1902 0635 1929 0556 2002 0544 2033
12 0831 1810 0805 1835 0720 1902 0633 1930 0555 2003 0544 2033
13 0831 1811 0803 1836 0719 1903 0632 1931 0554 2004 0544 2034
14 0830 1812 0802 1837 0717 1904 0630 1932 0554 2005 0544 2035
15 0830 1812 0801 1838 0715 1905 0629 1933 0553 2007 0545 2036
16 0829 1813 0800 1839 0714 1906 0627 1934 0552 2008 0545 2036
17 0828 1814 0758 1840 0712 1907 0626 1935 0551 2009 0545 2037
18 0828 1815 0757 1841 0711 1908 0624 1936 0551 2010 0546 2038
19 0827 1815 0756 1842 0709 1909 0623 1937 0550 2011 0546 2038
20 0827 1816 0754 1842 0707 1910 0622 1938 0549 2012 0546 2039
21 0826 1817 0753 1843 0706 1910 0620 1939 0549 2013 0547 2039
22 0825 1818 0752 1844 0704 1911 0619 1940 0548 2014 0547 2040
23 0825 1818 0750 1845 0703 1912 0618 1941 0548 2015 0548 2040
24 0824 1819 0749 1846 0701 1913 0616 1942 0547 2016 0549 2041
25 0823 1820 0747 1847 0659 1914 0615 1943 0547 2018 0549 2041
26 0822 1821 0746 1848 0658 1915 0614 1944 0546 2019 0550 2041
27 0821 1822 0745 1849 0656 1916 0612 1945 0546 2020 0550 2042
28 0821 1822 0743 1849 0655 1917 0611 1947 0545 2021 0551 2042
29 0820 1823 0742 1850 0653 1918 0610 1948 0545 2022 0552 2042
30 0819 1824 0740 1851 0652 1919 0609 1949 0545 2023 0553 2042
31 0818 1825 0739 1852 0608 1950 0553 2043
Last edited by Chatbox; 02-16-09 at 04:52 AM.
02-16-09, 05:00 AM
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Right now, I'm still in the <extremely> early stage of planning out my route. I have 90 days to bike anywhere where a road bike (30/42/52T 12-24, 700x25c) can go, but with limited budget and therefore camping out (and lack of showers, plus smelling a little bit off) IS on the agenda as well as YHA hostels. The location that I posted in the first post is just a random example of place that I happened to pick off Google Map...and hoping that by getting people's feedback, I'll be able to learn more about how to pick a good location for stealth camping.
Last edited by Chatbox; 02-16-09 at 05:05 AM.
02-16-09, 06:41 AM
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Hope your tent is rainproof...
Have you considered a trip further north, rather than though some of Victoria's wettest areas in the middle of winter? Nice countryside, but still...
Have you considered a trip further north, rather than though some of Victoria's wettest areas in the middle of winter? Nice countryside, but still...
02-16-09, 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by MNBikeguy
It's good someone has experience with the specific spot you mentioned. (Where hasn't Machka ridden?) lol
But one of the main attractions of stealth is it gives you incredible flexibility; you shouldn't 'have' to pre-plan the end of each riding day. A true stealth master needs to be able to assess the current area, determine if it's workable, then decide to stay or move on to stealthier terrain.
But one of the main attractions of stealth is it gives you incredible flexibility; you shouldn't 'have' to pre-plan the end of each riding day. A true stealth master needs to be able to assess the current area, determine if it's workable, then decide to stay or move on to stealthier terrain.
OP you sound like you are doing way too much planning. The beauty of a tour, especially one in which you plan on stealth camping, is freedom.
02-16-09, 12:41 PM
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well, it's a beautiful area. i stayed along the coast on a tour from newcastle to warrnambool last year in dec-jan. i had originally envisioned some stealth camping along the way, but i ended up having way too much fun at the hostels, and even met some cool people at the holiday caravan parks i camped at. the idea of sitting by myself in the woods trying to remain unseen & unheard was soon not a very enticing thought. it really does multiply your options to be able to camp when needed though, especially in the busier times of year.
i was up in the beechworth-bright area in nov and thought it would be a great place for a ride, but the recent fires have probably changed things. keep in mind that if you ride that area in winter, you'll have to carry warm clothes and a more bulky sleeping bag, so it'll be a significant amount of stuff to carry on your road bike.
i'm not sure how limited your budget is, but that would be a superb time of year to ride the NT and the kimberleys. and you've got plenty of time.....
i was up in the beechworth-bright area in nov and thought it would be a great place for a ride, but the recent fires have probably changed things. keep in mind that if you ride that area in winter, you'll have to carry warm clothes and a more bulky sleeping bag, so it'll be a significant amount of stuff to carry on your road bike.
i'm not sure how limited your budget is, but that would be a superb time of year to ride the NT and the kimberleys. and you've got plenty of time.....
02-16-09, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by mattlavallee
i was up in the beechworth-bright area in nov and thought it would be a great place for a ride, but the recent fires have probably changed things.
Even Wilson's Prom didn't escape ... Tidal River was under attack by the fires yesterday.
Although I am planning to make my move to Victoria in June if all goes well ... if I were touring Victoria, I think I'd wait till October, and even then October can be quite cool and rainy at times.
02-16-09, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by flats
OP you sound like you are doing way too much planning. The beauty of a tour, especially one in which you plan on stealth camping, is freedom.
Personally I am not inclined to stealth camp unless necessary. I prefer to plan no farther than a day or two at most ahead and then only generally. I would stealth camp only if I didn't find a place where I could get permission or an invite from a host. So stealth camping is something not all that likely to happen on a bike tour. I have stealth camped in other pursuits (like when I hitch hiked out to Minnesota from the east coast to see my brother or when kayak or canoe camping), but have never felt the need when bike touring.
02-16-09, 01:17 PM
#19
----
I've stealth camped a lot but not in Australia. But I have secreted myself in stands of trees in open spaces with residences nearby. I stealth camped with a green/beige 1 man tent that was very low to the ground and barely noticeable. I even created what amounted to a hunter's "blind" using branches that I would loosely weave together to conceal my tent and/or to cover my bike.
I've been so successful at stealth camping that, on more than one occasion, I've spent the night 10' away from groups of kids or homeless wanderers who never noticed I was there as they partied away.
Granted for me stealth camping means no campfire and minimal use of a flashlight.
I've been so successful at stealth camping that, on more than one occasion, I've spent the night 10' away from groups of kids or homeless wanderers who never noticed I was there as they partied away.
Granted for me stealth camping means no campfire and minimal use of a flashlight.
02-16-09, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by buzzman
I've stealth camped a lot but not in Australia. But I have secreted myself in stands of trees in open spaces with residences nearby. I stealth camped with a green/beige 1 man tent that was very low to the ground and barely noticeable. I even created what amounted to a hunter's "blind" using branches that I would loosely weave together to conceal my tent and/or to cover my bike.
I've been so successful at stealth camping that, on more than one occasion, I've spent the night 10' away from groups of kids or homeless wanderers who never noticed I was there as they partied away.
Granted for me stealth camping means no campfire and minimal use of a flashlight.
I've been so successful at stealth camping that, on more than one occasion, I've spent the night 10' away from groups of kids or homeless wanderers who never noticed I was there as they partied away.
Granted for me stealth camping means no campfire and minimal use of a flashlight.
I think it is easier to stealth camp in Australia than in the US ... and of course you wouldn't have a campfire. Most of Australia is on a fireban most of the year ... especially the area where Chatbox is going (Victoria).
02-16-09, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Chatbox
Man, I love Google Street View of Australia on Google Maps!
As I've never done any unsupported touring with camp out experience, here I am trying to look at the land ahead of time. Would you camp on the side of the roads like this one here?
As I've never done any unsupported touring with camp out experience, here I am trying to look at the land ahead of time. Would you camp on the side of the roads like this one here?
I was in England several years ago, scouting a stealth site when I came upon a wrecked car at a tree. It was perhaps 30 metres from the road. There is a picture on one of my journals of the car. I crept up wondering if there would be a body at the wheel. No such luck but it was probably a stolen car and the driver ran off the road, wrecked it and just took off. He probably wouldn't check to see if anyone was camping at the side of the road.
As much as I love Google maps, nothing beats real paper maps for the sort of detail you need to make the right choices. Sadly, they don't come free.
Best of luck with your trip.
02-17-09, 03:42 AM
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Originally Posted by stokell
As much as I love Google maps, nothing beats real paper maps for the sort of detail you need to make the right choices. Sadly, they don't come free.
02-17-09, 08:51 AM
#23
aka Phil Jungels
Stealth camping can usually be converted to friendly camping, just by asking.
A brief introduction, and a promise to leave things neat and clean, is usually all it takes.
Almost all of the time, they will even allow a small campfire, and usually wander over to sit with you for a bit, for conversation.
We have even been offered cold beer or pop, (on many occasions,) occasionally a shower, and always use of their hose for whatever we want water for.
A few times, we have even been invited in for supper and/or breakfast.
A brief introduction, and a promise to leave things neat and clean, is usually all it takes.
Almost all of the time, they will even allow a small campfire, and usually wander over to sit with you for a bit, for conversation.
We have even been offered cold beer or pop, (on many occasions,) occasionally a shower, and always use of their hose for whatever we want water for.
A few times, we have even been invited in for supper and/or breakfast.
02-17-09, 08:53 AM
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If the weather was ride to not have to set up tent and such, definitely. On tour last year we slept in parking lots, construction yards, farmlands, orchards, restaurants and pretty much anywhere we could find. Just make sure you are awake before everyone else. Get up and GO!
