4 | GO CAMPING AUSTRALIA

Andrea Ferris, Editor andrea@vinkpub.comwww.gocampingaustralia.com.au

Words: Andrea Ferris

‘AVIN’ A GO

Image: Megan Willis Photography

FRONT COVER: A bit of 4WDing at Landcruiser Mountain Park in the Somerset region, QLD – despite having boats and bikes on board. Photo courtesy of: Andrea Ferris

Go Camping Australia & 4WD Adventures is distributed through newsagents and camping stores across Australia. Recommended retail price A$6.95. Annual subscription A$33 includes postage within Australia and GST. Distribution by Gordon and Gotch. Editorial and photographic contributions welcomed. Disks, transparencies and self-addressed stamped envelopes are required. The publisher takes no responsibility for the views expressed in articles or advertisements herein. The publisher could not possibly ensure that each advertisement published in the magazine complies with the Trade Practices Act. While every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Print Post approval No. 100000936.

PublisherMichael Vink

EditorAndrea Ferris E: andrea@vinkpub.com

Advertising ManagerGeorgina Chapman T: (07) 3334 8007 E: georgina@vinkpub.com

Production Team Matt Limmer, Jonathan Nevin and Karen Belik

PUBLISHED BYVINK Publishing ABN 3107 478 5676 Bi-Monthly

Head Office: 38-40 Fisher St, East Brisbane Q 4169

Postal: PO Box 8369, Woolloongabba Q 4102 T: (07) 3334 8000 F: (07) 3391 5118

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Contributors

Damian Antonio

Carrol Baker

Phil Bianchi

Julie Bishop & Regina Jones

Miriam Blaker

Claudia Bouma

Siân Edwards

Andrea Ferris

Cathy Finch

Jill Harrison

Julie Ihle

Danielle Lancaster

Kevin Leslie

Matthew MacDermott

Blake Muir

Therese Sayers

Phil Stickley

Gary Tischer

Michele Tydd

Sanchana Venkatesh

& 4WD ADVENTURES

Many may envy the life of an editor of a camping magazine. Do you envisage being paid to be on holidays? Tapping away at the

keyboard from exotic camping locations? Well I’m here to tell you it ‘aint so. While I certainly do have more than the average fair share of camping experiences, mostly I’m stuck in the office, staring at a paling fence, diligently editing other people’s tales of adventure and losing sleep over deadlines.

Like many others, I too hanker after a tree change; a mid-life-crisis-inspired one-eighty change of circumstance; a bright idea and a shot of inspiration to light the dormant flames of enthusiasm.

Personally, I’m yet to experience a ‘light bulb moment’, however, since the last issue of Go Camping Australia & 4WD Adventures I’ve been inspired by many who did and are ‘having a go’.

Head to the Gear to Go section in this issue. Jen Daniels wanted a better towel, so she set about sourcing lovely microfibre and founded

wovii. Vince Toonen from Motivating Ideas found the Mealspec Flameless Meal Heater, made in the US, and was so excited about its potential that he’s importing and madly marketing this amazing product throughout Oz. Then there’s Jeff Maverick; motorbike adventure rider and inventor of the innovative Maverick Hammock Swag.

Wait, there’s more! On our seven days in Somerset (page 22) TOH and I met Terry, throwing her lot into the Cormorant Bay Café after 30 years in the public service, and Wayne and Wendy, rebuilding the Atkinson Dam Holiday Park basically brick by brick. Then there’s Cam, so passionate about his stone house he’s turned it into a retreat, and Mark and Louise carving a business around their loveable llamas.

Even if you’re not ready or willing to ‘ave a go’ yourself, when you’re looking for a gift, or a bit of new kit, or just being a tourist, seek out those that have put their heart (and wallet) on the line and share the love.

Happy camping.