Learn How to Bush & Remote Camp in the Safety of a Group?

Learn How to Bush & Remote Camp in the Safety of a Group?

Learn How to Bush & Remote Camp in the Safety of a Group?

One thing I see posted a lot on social media groups is people asking if there are groups that they can get together with to go camping. I also see a lot of questions being asked about what it’s like to go to free camping places and how you go about doing it, is there a group they can join to get started.

The answer to both questions is yes. We have been a part of a Facebook Group called MARS Enthusiasts for about three years now and we have been camping with them on three occasions to official “Musters” and a few times to unofficial group gatherings as well as camping with individual families from the group. Each time it’s been at awesome free camping destinations.

Visit the MARS Enthusiasts Facebook Group

2019 MARS National Muster At The Dig Tree

2019 MARS National Muster At The Dig Tree

People in the group cover all demographics, old, young, inbetween, some with kids, some with pets, some no kids, some have dogs, some don’t have dogs, pretty much everyone you could imagine, Some people in the group have been camping for over 40 years, some are just beginning their camping “careers”. Some people prefer to go to their local caravan park, others like to get out on road trips to iconic destinations such as Uluru, Cape York, Cameron Corner, Gibb River Road, Birdsville. You name it and somebody in the group will have been there and can answer any questions you might have about getting there and what do do after you’ve arrived.

2019 MARS Enthusiasts National Muster Camped at Aboriginal Camp Tibooburra NSW

2019 MARS Enthusiasts National Muster Camped at Aboriginal Camp Tibooburra NSW

Members of the MARS Enthusiasts group are mostly owners of MARS Camper Trailers however this is beginning to change. There are now a fair few caravan owners in the group (us included) and everyone is welcome to join. All they ask of you is that you be willing to share tips, tricks, help with ideas for mods to gear, camp cooking ideas and stuff like that. Everyone has a different skill set, there’s always something you can help out with, you’ll probably surprise yourself!

So join the MARS Enthusiasts Facebook Group and have a go!

Past MARS Enthusiasts Muster Locations

South Australian Muster 2020 @ Black Cockatoo Bush Camp (Naracoorte, SA)
Victorian Mars Muster 2019 @ Moonambel (Moonambel, VIC)
National Muster 2019 @ The Dig Tree (Coopers Creek, QLD) & Various other locations
QLD Muster 2019 @ Jondarayan Woolshed (Jondarayan, QLD)
NSW Muster 2019 @ Pinkies Beach (Carrathool, NSW)
South Australian Muster 2019 @ Lakeside Campground (Caurnmount, SA)
Victorian Muster 2018 @ Taylors Campground (Lake Eildon, VIC)
National Muster 2018 @ Burke & Wills Campground (Menindee, NSW)
Queensland Muster 2018 @ Queen Mary Falls (Kilarney, QLD)
NSW Muster 2018 @ Billy Grace Reserve (Wee Jasper, NSW)
South Australian Muster 2018 @ Lakeside Campground (Caurnmount SA)
New Years Eve 2018 Catch-up @ Blue Gum Flat Campground (Lake Eildon)
National Muster 2017 @ Jemalong Weir (Forbes NSW)
Victorian Muster 2017 @ Glendinning Campground (Rocklands VIC)

Visit the MARS Enthusiasts Facebook Group

Mars Enthusiasts 2018 NSW Muster at Wee Jasper

Mars Enthusiasts 2018 NSW Muster at Wee Jasper

Mars Enthusiasts 2018 NSW Muster at Wee Jasper

Had a great weekend camping with the crew from the Mars Enthusiasts group at Wee Jasper down near Yass. Had a heap of fun with them – they’re a really good group of people. I think Tracey Kelly added up we had 11 trailers/vans, 21 adults, 9 kids and 10 dogs. Bloody great turn out.

Beautiful Views At Billy Grace Reserve Campground Wee Jasper

Beautiful Views At Billy Grace Reserve Campground Wee Jasper

Firewood Collection & A Bit Of Exploring

Thanks go out to Sean “Big Daddy” Weaver for organising the even and to Peter Woolsey for doing all the behind the scenes stuff.

We got there early on Saturday morning and it was raining a bit. After setting everything up we went out with a few utes and some chainsaws to get some firewood for the nights big camp oven cook. Out of Billy Grace Reserve we turned left and the wood was pretty ordinary but we got a couple of ute loads of the best we could find. We probably drove maybe 10 or 15 kilometres down muddy twisty narrow tracks, it’s pretty spectacular scenery. On the way there we drove through another 3 or 4 camp grounds similar to Billy Grace Reserve that are worth checking out in the future.

Firewood Collected At Wee Jasper

Firewood Collected At Wee Jasper

Muster Night – Camp Ovens Everywhere!

Muster Night Camp Oven Cook Up

Muster Night Camp Oven Cook Up

Saturday afternoon we had a beer pong tournament. I’m rubbish at it. Dinner was great, it was cooked on the fire in camp ovens and everyone had a great feed. Took a while to get it done but it turned out great.

We also had a trivia competition, we were rubbish at that too. Afterwards we sat around for ages and talked and had a great time. Oh and at some stage of the evening for whatever god knows reason I apparently agreed to go for a swim in the river the following morning. The evening finished off for me by being the subject of the NSW Muster’s pillow talk session.

On Sunday we got up early and Amanda and Johnathon made some damper for everyone. A couple of plain ones and a couple of fruit ones, they all turned out great albeit they tool a while to cook as the coals we had available weren’t all that hot due to the dodgy wood we collected on Saturday.

A Great Day On Sunday

After breakfast it was time for my swim. It was freezing, absolutely bloody freezing but I said I’d do it so I did it. What an idiot I am! To be honest it wasn’t too bad once it was over and I got out. The creek was only about waist deep in most parts but they managed to find a deep hole so I could get in and do my swim spa thing and flop about a bit.

Cold Morning At Billy Grace Reserve Wee Jasper - Ice Everywhere!

Cold Morning At Billy Grace Reserve Wee Jasper – Ice Everywhere!

After my swim I had a nice hot shower and sat around the fire for a bit to warm up. When I had thawed out properly Simon, peter, Matthew and myself took a couple of utes and chainsaws out to get some more firewood. This time we turned right out of camp and a couple of kays down the road found a heap of nice dry gum halfway up a really steep hill. Simon and I climbed up with the chainsaws and cut a few uteloads. At one point Simon rolled down the hill a bit and tried to shishkebab himself on a branch. I was worried for a second but he was ok.

Lunch was cooked on the fire and then we all settled in for the afternoon and evening. We had a bloody great time and had heaps of laughs.

Lunch Was A Group Effort Cooked Over The Fire

Lunch Was A Group Effort Cooked Over The Fire

All up the first ever NSW Mars Muster was a huge success. We met up with some friends we already knew and made a heap of new ones. Amanda and I are really enjoying the whole muster thing and we are really looking forward to going to Menindee late September for the national one.

Graciee Loved Billy Grace Reserve Wee Jasper

Graciee Loved Billy Grace Reserve Wee Jasper

Mars Enthusiasts National Muster 2017 At Jemalong Weir

Mars Enthusiasts National Muster 2017 At Jemalong Weir

Mars Enthusiasts National Muster 2017 At Jemalong Weir

Went to the Mars National Muster long weekend at Jemalong Weir near Forbes NSW. We had an absolutely awesome time! Graciee did too, she had heaps of others dogs to run around with and she enjoyed it too, she was just like a real dog.

2017 MARS National Muster Jemalong Weir Near Forbes NSW

2017 MARS National Muster Jemalong Weir Near Forbes NSW

We are definitely going to go to the National meetup again next year. We made some new friends which is a good thing. The van went very well. Towed great and was comfortable.

Supreme Getaway Caravan Towed Great

Supreme Getaway Caravan Towed Great

Going to have to look at the water tank situation though, we are running out of water after a few days and it should last a lot longer. I don’t think we are getting anywhere near a full fill.

Jemalon Wir Campground Near Forbes NSW

Jemalong Weir Campground Near Forbes NSW