NSW

Clarence Town winter madness weekend

Members & their friends are invited to attend the next group get together at Clarence Town  

 If you wish to attend the weekend please add you name to the poll

panorama of the area we will be camping in

YOUR HOST for the weekend will be Rob & Carol Sanderson.

WHERE. Williams River Holiday Park, Durham St, Clarence Town just north of Newcastle.

WHEN. On the weekend of Saturday 10th  to Sunday 11th July 2010.

CAMPING. We have a tentative booking in a large area that will fit around 30 camper trailers in a well grassed open paddock just back from the banks of the Williams River. Sites along the river itself will be left to other people camping in the caravan park.

GETTING THERE. Clarence Town is approx 30km west of Raymond Terrace. Exit off the Pacific Highway into Raymond Terrace at the Heatherbrae roundabout. On the north side of the town center turn west into William Bailey Street at the Maitland/Dungog sign at MacDonalds & follow the road through Seaham & onto Clarence Town. Stay on the main road when you enter Clarence Town - sharp turn left - & turn east at the Caravan Park & Stroud sign. This will take you to the caravan park just before the bridge over the Williams River.

You can also come from Maitland joining the road to Dungog/Clarence Town at Seaham.

If you are coming down the Pacific Highway turn onto the Bucketts Way & just before Limeburners Creek turn left at the Dungog/Clarence Town sign.

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS. Please contact Diane at the Williams River Holiday Park on 02 4996 4231 during business hours to make a tentative booking & then add your name to the poll. You are free to pick any spot when you arrive. Each site is between two trees. The size of the sites depends on how far the trees are apart.

GATES. The caravan park gates are locked at 5.00pm each night. If you will be arriving after this time please drop Rob & Carol an e-mail after you receive the ice-breaker.

UNPOWER. $14 per night which covers two adults & two children under 12, one tent/van, one car. Extra adult $4.50 & child $3 per night.

POWER. There are powered sites available but are separate to the area we will be camping in. Power is $19 per night which covers two adults & two children under 12, one tent/van, one car. Extra adult $4.50 & child $3 per night.

WATER. Town drinking water available via taps around the camping area.

CAMPFIRES. Only in the 44 gallon drums provided.

FIREWOOD. Please bring along some firewood or it can be purchased at $10 a bag.

CAMP OVEN COOKING can take a lot of coals from the fire, especially if everyone is cooking. Might I suggest you use heatbeads for camp oven cooking & keep the limited amount of firewood you bring along for the winter evenings warmth & also for the cold frostly mornings till the sun warms us all up.

Information on how many beads to use can be found..... 
Camp Oven Cooking in Australia website http://www.aussiecampovencook.com/charcoalheatchart.htm 
or there is also great information at http://papadutch.home.comcast.net/~papadutch/dutch-oven-cooking-tips.htm#Temp 

KEEPING WARM. It's going to be cold, but the riverflat we are camping on is sheltered from the westerly winds with a high bank. It will be chilly in the shadow of the trees early, but is usually warm in the sun during the day at this time of the year, however night time temperatures can drop with morning frost if the sky is clear. July also sees snowfalls on nearby Barrington Tops. Please dress for the conditions to stay warm http://www.campertrailers.org/outdoor_dressing.htm

AMENITIES. Flushing toilets & hot showers available. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

DOGS. Pets must be under your control at all times, on a lead & droppings removed. 

RUBBISH. Bins supplied.

THINGS TO DO.

A combined happy hour around the campfire each afternoon at 3.00pm.

There are no special events planned, we hope to just let the weekend unfold. It is always great to just relax & sit around the campfire chatting with old acquaintances you have met at previous group weekends or meet new friends. Always of interest is seeing what others have done to modify their camper trailers or new camping equipment they have bought.

INFORMATION.

Sydney Morning Herald http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/clarence-town-20081113-5ylj.html
Dungog Shire http://www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/about/1001/1006.html 
Barrington Tops http://visitbarringtontops.com.au/towns/clarence-town

Suggestions for weekend

The Williams River is excellent for paddling the canoe or kayak. There are three new wharves & a new boat ramp.

It is only 20km to Dungog & a further 33km to Chichester State Forest with waterfalls & forest drives. To reach the Barrington Plateau itself you need to drive up the Bucketts Way to Gloucester approx an hour away & then a further two hours to Polblue.

You do not need a camper trailer to attend. Members without a camper are more than welcome to attend & get a first hand unbiased opinion of a particular camper trailer from their owners. Come along & meet the faces behind the typing.

You are also very welcome to drop in for the day as it's only an hour from Newcastle. Don't forget your camping chair & a few snags for the barbie.

Please keep in mind that the group owners will not accept any responsibility for members & non-members actions during the weekend get together.

If you decide to attend, it is solely at your own responsibility, including any side trips or outings during the weekend meet.

                              Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owners

                                                                                                             Kevin & Rob.