Bogan-meter: campgrounds to avoid or to see in VIC

[wildernesswanderer]

Wombat hole make great toliets

I love the Buckham Valley near Bright, there are camp sites on the river there that you basically make your own, no one else around, its a great place to relax, just come back over Easter break and went with 10 friends and had our area completely to ourselves, shame the river this year was a bit brown

[north-north-west]

Buckham? You mean Buckland, don't you? If so, yeah, it's a lovely river.

[Hallu]

Campgrounds I do like, Lake Catani on Mt Buffalo, Ive stayed there over Christmas for the last 2 years with the family.
Langi Ghiran nice camp we were the only ones there last time I was there and Whroo campground great spot especially in winter.
One place I would never stay again is Loch Valley near Nojee.

After trying Lake Catani this week end, I have mixed fillings. It's nice to be able to book it online, the showering/toilet facilities are nice, but it feels a bit packed. Sites are small and not level, there's only one fire pit + picnic table every 5 sites, and it's desperately deserted by marsupials. It's mainly a popular family spot, no bogan yelling about, but I'd have traded the showers and flushable toilets for a nice big level spot with picnic table, like in most of the Mallee campgrounds.

[MartyGwynne]

Ha ha ha the local council has all but banned camping at Loch valley at Noojee as it was attracting way too much unsavoury characters and very poor behaviour.
It is too close to the road, too close to the local pub and too close to Melbourne. That said I do love to take my dogs walking around that area as it is only 20 minutes away from home. The area is OK in the off season or during the week.
But if you have a look at the stealth camping thread on this forum it may give you the skills to look for something other than 'Tidal River'.
I wont call them "Bogans" as I sometimes do that myself (then change the boom box tape back to soft Musack and have the camp to myself..)
Each to their own.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

There is a campsite near Paradise falls in the Otway ranges at the back of Apollo bay on the way to Beech Forest which gave me my worst car camping experience ever. I much prefer to pack hike to a campsite that only a well equipped and very fit hiker can reach.
If a car can reach there then a bunch of noisy beer drinking , loud music blaring and foul language yelling strine hoons and bogans can reach there too.
Car Camping:
Troopers ' creek in the Grampians in nice for car camping if brain dead bogans and hormonally deranged school groups are not present.
Some of the car camping sites past the Kevington pub on the upper Goldburn river bends can be pleasant as long as the bogans stay away.
Again public holiday s and school holiday s are to be avoided if possible
Thurra River at Croajingalong is good in the off season
Lake Catani , Mt Buffalo .... nice
Stockyard at Wilson's Prom entrance is a good bet too.

Pack hiking :
The campsite at Federation hut . Mt Feather top , just fabulous!
Little Waterloo Bay at the Prom is just gorgeous esp. when it is n't busy .
MacAlister Springs in the Vic Alps is super , but it becomes crowded on long weekends.
The Campsite at Mt Difficult in the Grampians isn't bad as a locations go for a one night away from it all , but it has no water , it gets cold up there, and it is full of poo . There is no pit loo and the human waste is lurking behind many a boulder.

[Dutchy]

Upper Howqua (near Mt Howitt) is pretty nice, but i wouldn't risk it on long weekends/summer holidays
Someone mentioned Troopers Creek in the Grampians, same thing.
Even on long weekends there is some nice spots to be had for car camping along the morwell river....generally only for 1 party, promising a relaxing night!
Big River has lots of camp sites, but beware again on long weekends....
Most spots are horrible on long weekends and summer holidays, I myself am a 4WD-er as well (oh oh....) and like many of you, am appalled by the behaviour of many fellow 4wd-ers (and many 2wd-ers). Leave nothing but ehm, tire prints and take nothing but photo's (and occasionally firewood lol).
I prefer bush camping any day of the week to stay away from any annoying folk,

[cooee]

Not sure how I missed this post!
My vote goes to O’Brien’s Crossing which is located in the beautiful Lerderderg Gorge.
But, and there is always a but. After seeing it during the Easter long weekend l was ashamed.
We counted over 85 cars and 4wds at the camp ground, and around 10 ton of rubbish strategically placed in front of the mini skip provided.
Went back two weeks later for a walk and the rubbish we found………………….

P15sed me off.

[Kinsayder]

I've not really encountered many bogans. I generally get to some town or campsite late at night, go and find a quiet spot to sleep (and, if I'm lucky, shower) and head up this mountain or that in the morning. I solo hike and keep to myself for the most part. I've encountered some hunters and they definitely fall under the bogan classification. I could hardly imagine discussing Dostoyesky or the Golden Age of Greece with them. They are mostly friendly but I've found their constant cry of "have you seen any [insert animal here]" a little off putting, as they are essentially panting like an over keen puppy, "can we go kill, can we, can we?" This all being said, around Stirling and Howitt is where I've encountered them. Never around Bogong or Feathertop way.

[Happy Pirate]

After my camping fiasco this week end in the Grampians, I thought I'd list the nice campgrounds I've experienced, and the worst. For some reason, in Tassie I've only experienced great campgrounds : even when they're full of people, it's quiet and courteous. In VIC, it's always been a different story, with a 50/50 chance of hitting a bogan/noisy kids black spot. Please help me fill this topic with your own experiences.

Just found this topic and the idea of a Bogan-meter certainly strikes a chord.
I'm assuming from the OP date this was based around Easter?
The biggest hystorical Bogun-alarm I could ever ring is last year on the Glenelg River on Horse-Trail-Yehah! Day (Jan 26) when it seemed to be declared "Pi$$ of a Canoer with your stink-boat day" when all the stink-boats violate the anti-stink-boat restrictions and try to drown people on skis by pulling them around on ropes in the 'no pulling people around on ropes cos there are canoers here who don't like you' Zones.
There were a lot of stink-boats pulling people around on ropes and we didn't like it cos we were in a canoe.

Public holidays should be called 'Bogun release days" or something and the rest of us could stay at work and take the week after off perhaps.
Just channeling really but I like the idea....
Bogunometer. Try saying it quickly.......
Steve

[Happy Pirate]

There is a campsite near Paradise falls in the Otway ranges at the back of Apollo bay on the way to Beech Forest which gave me my worst car camping experience ever. I much prefer to pack hike to a campsite that only a well equipped and very fit hiker can reach.
If a car can reach there then a bunch of noisy beer drinking , loud music blaring and foul language yelling strine hoons and bogans can reach there too.
Car Camping:
Troopers ' creek in the Grampians in nice for car camping if brain dead bogans and hormonally deranged school groups are not present.
Some of the car camping sites past the Kevington pub on the upper Goldburn river bends can be pleasant as long as the bogans stay away.
Again public holiday s and school holiday s are to be avoided if possible
Thurra River at Croajingalong is good in the off season
Lake Catani , Mt Buffalo .... nice
Stockyard at Wilson's Prom entrance is a good bet too.

Pack hiking :
The campsite at Federation hut . Mt Feather top , just fabulous!
Little Waterloo Bay at the Prom is just gorgeous esp. when it is n't busy .
MacAlister Springs in the Vic Alps is super , but it becomes crowded on long weekends.
The Campsite at Mt Difficult in the Grampians isn't bad as a locations go for a one night away from it all , but it has no water , it gets cold up there, and it is full of poo . There is no pit loo and the human waste is lurking behind many a boulder.

You know, initially I was going to argue against this post and say that you guys were silly and being biased by the couple of weekends of the year when bad behaviour predominates and that I've camped at these sites and last-time I was there I was greeted by well behaved Honey-Eaters who serenaded me off to sleep with soothing lullabies whistled in indigenous languages...

But Phuck It. Seriously. Boguns are Everywhere. Noisy campers are the Norm. People who think it's their right to trash and burn, eat, sh1t and consume regardless and consider it not just a right but a patriotik priverlige...

Because of the coming election this is a soft-spot; a sore-nerve; a beauty-lovers broken-heart.

So now I'm angry too (thanks). I can't seem to get away from these idiots any time. It's the continual dumbing-down of society - the stupid-est, arrogant-est, greedy-est gross-est are allowed to promulgate their ideals as the most valid and the most representative of our nature. And the stupidest 50% believe it.
And the rest have no better choice but the indecisiveness of a fragmented democracy.

There are already some levels of societal transgression we wont tolerate, so how can we shift that barrier to include a certain extra level of natural indoctrination?

I blame the (non-event) of the Election so far for my sudden increase in anger - not for the proliferation of boguns but for the extension of their (non) ideas with no backlash from serious counter-debate.
Expect more rant in the next couple of weeks
Join me please in speaking out
Steve (we need to be more angry!)

[Hallu]

Yeah I can understand your frustration. As a Frenchman I'm not allowed to vote but just seeing Tony Bigot and his blatant American republican-type ideas (no tax, more industry, the other candidate is a moron, let's close the borders, no same-sex marriages, no stem-cell research) I can't help but feel the need to smash my TV screen, especially when you see so much support for such ideas all over Australia. It's not that off-topic actually, as we see bogans as white skin red nosed racist motor sport lovers drunk ignorant noisy cocks, who embrace such an old colonialist view of Australia : economy and jobs first, don't care about the rest.

[neilmny]

Yeah I can understand your frustration. As a Frenchman I'm not allowed to vote but just seeing Tony Bigot and his blatant American republican-type ideas (no tax, more industry, the other candidate is a moron, let's close the borders, no same-sex marriages, no stem-cell research) I can't help but feel the need to smash my TV screen, especially when you see so much support for such ideas all over Australia. It's not that off-topic actually, as we see bogans as white skin red nosed racist motor sport lovers drunk ignorant noisy cocks, who embrace such an old colonialist view of Australia : economy and jobs first, don't care about the rest.

It's simple Hallu, become an Australian citizen and do your part towards solving what you personally see as a problem.
I think you need to look harder around you before you decide where the bogans come from, they come from all over the world.
It's a festering sub culture thing steadily being made worse by gen why this, why that, why should I, throughout Australia not just in bush camps.
It's great that it matters to you but don't sit in your armchair wingeing all the time get involved do your bit.
I fully agree on the TV being painful to watch, I do very little of it for exactly that reason. The problem as I see it
is not the crap issuing forth from the politicians, it's the those that are so willing to search it out and serve it up
for the sole purpose of selling advertising. Always keep that in mind, TV is not for your entertainment, it is only for selling
advertising nothing more.............but that's a whole other topic I suppose.

[Kinsayder]

Mentioning the election is probably pretty off topic, although I guess one could argue that there is a strong chance that the bogans will be running the country soon, so that keeps it on. Regardless, the probable change is so sad. I mean I get people voting for Tony Abbott, especially if you're a billionaire, a right-wing ideologue or if you are insufferably racist. If you're not in those camps then, sorry, you're probably pretty stupid. I possibly shouldn't say that, but I honestly don't care. Slow internet, no action on climate change, zero fiscal understanding (I challenge anybody to explain Joe Hockey's financial, economic or even mathematical skills to me), gutting the public services, concentration camps for refugees, policies set by the IPA, etc., etc. It's just sickening. For every state or federal campaign in recent years I've helped out in some way (for the Greens); letter drops, HTVs, campaign office data. This election, however, represents such an insidious shift in Australia that I cannot face it at all. I'll be incommunicado somewhere en route around Hotham and Feathertop for three days to avoid it in an ultimately meaningless way.

[neilmny]

"For every state or federal campaign in recent years I've helped out in some way (for the Greens); letter drops"

Kinsayder - political announcements are required to have a disclaimer attached stating the political party they have been made on behalf of and the person from that party who authorized the announcement.

[Kinsayder]

Hmm, not sure where you are going with that, Neil. It wasn't a paid announcement, probably more inline with editorial. I've also stated clearly my political allegiance.

[Hallu]

Well yeah Abbott's campaign is ridiculous, but I can't blame people for not being informed enough to know that. I blame the Aussie system for being so ridiculously americanised. No real debate, negative campaigns and ads, ridiculous claims (create 2 million jobs ? 1) Unemployment isn't a problem in Australia 2) those jobs would have been created anyway thanks to Aussie economical growth), no real candidate outside of those 2. To be back on something remotely related to bushwalking, I can't believe the lack of environmental concern they both show. This a country who used to fiercely oppose nuclear power, but who now (at a political level) couldn't care less about the damage done to their own backyard...

[cooee]

Two things that you never talk about on a public forum, "politics and religion".

[Kinsayder]

I'm not sure if it's our political system that is to fault, Hallu. I'd blame the preponderance of stupidity, a far right-wing press and cultural isolation of this nation. That being said, it's not always the way. The best of this country is full of brilliance, it's just a shame that the worst is what we might be about to see in the Lodge.

Cooee, I think those two things are perfect for public forums. If it were more the norm to talk about it then people might be called out for bigotry when stating that "boat people" positions are a vote clincher for them. Maybe that doesn't work for religion though, as there's not a lot of logic going on there...

[neilmny]

Perrhaps a public forum is a good place to discuss Federal Politics but why in a thread based in Victoria about yobbos in the bush.
How about you start a new political discussion thread in Between Bush Walks so that you and Hallu can call anyone who doesn't have the same opinion as you an idiot living in a cultural backwater, you'll be able to agree with one another as much as you like then without cheesing off anyone who was interested in the original subject.
You might say don't read what you are not interested in but I am interested in this original topic just not happy to see it ambushed by politics. We are being bombarded with enough of this merde on all other forms of media without our R&R media being taken over by it.

[Kinsayder]

Fair call, Neil. Apologies for the offence. I thought the link was quite strong in that bogans have that strong redneck connection with the dog whistle right-wing political parties. Obviously I see it differently to you, which doesn't make me think of you as "an idiot living in a cultural backwater" regardless of the manner in which my patently self-righteous comments might suggest. Once again, apologies for any offence.

[madmacca]

Upper Howqua (near Mt Howitt) is pretty nice, but i wouldn't risk it on long weekends/summer holidays

Actually, Upper Howqua is pretty good (well, as of Nov 12 anyway), the bridge is out, so it's a walk in only site at the moment. Toilets, tables, beautiful grassy flat with the Howqua running by. And there is still one girder of the bridge left, so you can walk across without getting your feet wet.

[Happy Pirate]

Two things that you never talk about on a public forum, "politics and religion".

God! I'd vote for that!

[Happy Pirate]

I can't help but feel the need to smash my TV screen, especially when you see so much support for such ideas all over Australia.

I'm about 20 years ahead of you mate. The last TV I owned I eventually dragged outside and we put it on trial for crimes against humanity and then stoned it to death. (OK so it smacks of Techno intolerance; but it felt sooo good).

Mentioning the election is probably pretty off topic, although I guess one could argue that there is a strong chance that the bogans will be running the country soon, so that keeps it on. Regardless, the probable change is so sad.

I'm mourning already for the state of the bush regardless of which party gets in. We actually had a sweet time with Greens in the balance tempering the Big-Money-Pandering of the two big parties. Whoever wins I suspect is going to go on a flagrant rampage of money-grubbing-resource-consuming-population-increasing-refugee-denying-lobbyist-pandering short-term populist politics.

But this discussion of idiots who exploit the bush to it's detriment (and ours) and give nothing back has caused me to ask the question;
What sort of society are we living in where we see wilderness as something 'other' that is a mere recreation to be exploited (and which we expect politicians to do something about it). And how much better are we really than those we rage against?
Who here works 'towards' to offset those who behave 'against' ?
Asked as a new topic here:
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14570
thanks
Steve

[GPSGuided]

Two things that you never talk about on a public forum, "politics and religion".

God! I'd vote for that!

Good one!

[David M]

I saw serious bad bogans at O'Brien's crossing in Lederberg State Park (VIC). They were illegaly riding a motorcycle up and down the side of the river and also left a lot of rubbish and human feces at their campsite. Could not call police or ranger as no mobile signal and I and my walking companion were seriously outnumbered.

[andrewbish]

Upper Howqua (near Mt Howitt) is pretty nice, but i wouldn't risk it on long weekends/summer holidays

Actually, Upper Howqua is pretty good (well, as of Nov 12 anyway), the bridge is out, so it's a walk in only site at the moment. Toilets, tables, beautiful grassy flat with the Howqua running by. And there is still one girder of the bridge left, so you can walk across without getting your feet wet.

FWIW I got a 4wd across the river last Summer.

[Hallu]

I saw serious bad bogans at O'Brien's crossing in Lederberg State Park (VIC). They were illegaly riding a motorcycle up and down the side of the river and also left a lot of rubbish and human feces at their campsite. Could not call police or ranger as no mobile signal and I and my walking companion were seriously outnumbered.

I saw some the last (only) time I've been there, they were at O'Briens Crossing too... I thought it was legal, but then I had a look, and yeah you're right they're not supposed to be here... Next time I'll try to take photos and compile some infos to send to Parks VIC.

[Happy Pirate]

Yeah I can understand your frustration. As a Frenchman I'm not allowed to vote but just seeing Tony Bigot and his blatant American republican-type ideas (no tax, more industry, the other candidate is a moron, let's close the borders, no same-sex marriages, no stem-cell research) I can't help but feel the need to smash my TV screen, especially when you see so much support for such ideas all over Australia. It's not that off-topic actually, as we see bogans as white skin red nosed racist motor sport lovers drunk ignorant noisy cocks, who embrace such an old colonialist view of Australia : economy and jobs first, don't care about the rest.

It's simple Hallu, become an Australian citizen and do your part towards solving what you personally see as a problem.

nielmny You're assuming that Hallu is in Australia and is a permanent resident. This forum is open to all.
You're not a one nation supporter by any chance
Sorry, I didn't really mean that. If you're on this forum you're much too nice.
Steve

[neilmny]

Egads you've seen right through me Steve......NOT!
And of which archery club are you a member as you are clearly an exponent of the long bow

[Solohike74]

National park campground is better as dogs are forbidden. If you see people with dogs, a call to PV Will see action taken. A lot of bogan car campers take dogs when traveling.