Respect on the Road: A Few Camping Lessons We’ve Learned
Hi everyone! 👋
It’s great to have you here reading along with us and sharing in our travels. After a month or so on the road, we’ve already learned that travelling around Australia in a caravan or camper van isn’t just about beautiful places, stunning views and relaxing around the campfire. It’s also about people. And one thing we’ve quickly discovered is that a little thing called RESPECT can make camping life a whole lot more enjoyable for everyone. So, grab yourself a cuppa, sit back and let me share a few things we’ve experienced so far — hopefully with a laugh or two along the way, and maybe a lesson for all of us.
Lesson #1: Let People Learn
Our first experience happened when we arrived at Erica. We were backing into our campsite when a gentleman and his partner decided to get out of their camp chairs and watch us set up. Now, I thought, “Well, this should be interesting!” 😂 Apparently, we had suddenly forgotten how to drive a car and van! She started giving us instructions: "Go forward a bit more." "Don't turn your wheel so hard." And then came the one that really got me: "Don't stick your head over your shoulder." At that point, Alison and I looked at each other. Alison basically said, "Here, you talk to them. I'll give it a go and learn." So that's what we did. And you know what? She did a wonderful job!
The lesson here isn't that advice is bad. Sometimes people genuinely want to help, and that's fantastic. But if someone hasn't asked for your help, maybe let them have a go first. We are all learning. Everyone had to start somewhere, and sometimes the best way to learn is to make a few mistakes, figure things out and eventually say, "Yep, I've got this!" So fellow campers, unless someone is about to back their van into your barbecue — give them some space! 😂
Lesson #2: Your Dog Might Be Friendly… But Not Everyone Knows That
This one has happened at nearly every place we've stayed. You see the signs: DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH. Pretty clear, right? Apparently not to everyone. You still get those people walking around with their dogs running freely, followed by the famous words: "Oh, don't worry. He won't bite!" Well, that's wonderful. But the person your dog runs up to doesn't know that. At Echuca, I watched a dog jump up on a poor child and knock her onto her bottom. Some people might laugh and say, "Oh, it's only a dog." But what if that child develops a fear of dogs because of that experience? All because someone couldn't be bothered following a very simple rule. We all left our old lives behind because we didn't want people constantly telling us what to do.
But here's the thing: Camping rules aren't there to ruin your fun. They're there so everyone can enjoy the space safely. So if the sign says your dog needs to be on a lead, put the dog on a lead. And please don't let your dog wander through other people's campsites while you're busy having a few drinks and enjoying yourself. Your dog might be your best mate. To someone else, it might be a complete stranger with four legs and a lot of enthusiasm! 🐶😂
Lesson #3: Free Campsites Still Need Personal Space
Now this one really gets me. Just because a campsite is free doesn't mean you need to park your caravan three inches from someone else's front door! We've experienced this one ourselves. We've deliberately left an area beside our van open because we like to sit there, enjoy the view and have some space around us. Then along comes a couple who apparently looked around at all the available space and thought: "Hmm… look at that lovely open spot beside those people. Let's put our caravan there!" Seriously? There were plenty of other places available. But no. They chose our comfort space. Now, I could have started an argument. I could have marched over there and given them a piece of my mind. But what would that achieve? Probably nothing except two unhappy campsites and a story we'd rather not tell. So instead, we'll wait until they move on — or we'll move our van if we have to. But here's the lesson: Just because you can park somewhere doesn't always mean you should. If there are plenty of empty spaces, give your fellow campers some breathing room. Nobody wants to open their caravan door and feel like they're living in a row house! And honestly, it's uncomfortable when you can't even step outside without feeling like someone is watching everything you do.
The Golden Rule of Camping
After only a month or so on the road, we're learning that camping is about much more than where you park your van. It's about sharing beautiful places with people you've never met. It's about giving others space. It's about following the rules. It's about keeping your dog under control. It's about letting someone learn without standing over them. And most importantly, it's about remembering that you're not the only person camping there. We all have different ways of doing things. Some people like to socialise. Some want peace and quiet. Some like to sit around the fire all night. Others are in bed by 8:30! 😂
And that's okay. That's the beauty of travelling. We're all out here for different reasons, but we can still be respectful of one another. So our advice from the road so far? Breathe. Relax. Give people space. Follow the rules. And treat other campers the way you'd like to be treated. And if you've got a camping story — good, bad, funny or downright unbelievable — we'd love to hear it!
Share your experiences with us. You might even help another traveller avoid making the same mistake.
Stay safe out there, everyone.
Keep travelling, keep smiling, and most importantly…
RESPECT YOUR FELLOW CAMPERS. ❤️🚐
And if you'd like to follow along with our adventures, come and watch our videos on YouTube @alisonbarrett8938
Who knows what we'll encounter next! 😂
Safe travels, everyone!
Nick of NickAlly Van Life!
nickally.com
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