The Great Outdoors

Camping is a particularly popular pass-time in Australia because of its beautiful natural environment and diverse landscapes. It usually involves sleeping "under the starts" and pitching a tent and a sleeping bag. 

Australia has over 50, 000 camp sites approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and thousands of makeshift campsites deep in the wilderness.

Australia because of its outdoor culture and general toughness of its population rough it out in the bush on a regular basis with an estimated 5,000000 campers every year.

We hope that the spirit of Australian camping will be present with all pilgrims, especially if it rains, on the big sleep out at Randwick before the final mass.

"Going camping" describes a wide range of activities.

Survivalist campers set off with little more than their boots, whereas recreational vehicle travelers arrive equipped with their own electricity, heat, and patio furniture.

Camping may be an end unto itself, but often it is done in conjunction with other activities, such as hiking, hill walking, climbing, canoeing, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing.

It may be combined with hiking either as backpacking or as a series of day hikes from a central location.

Some people vacation in permanent camps with cabins and other facilities (such as hunting camps or children's summer camps), but a stay at such a camp is usually not considered 'camping'.

The term camping may also be applied to those who live outdoors out of necessity (as in the case of the homeless) or for people waiting overnight in very long lines (queues).

It does not, however, apply to cultures whose technology does not include sophisticated dwellings. Camping may be referred to colloquially as 'roughing it.'

Image courtesy of Leonard John Matthews (Creative Commons License), Flickr.