Hairdressers Etiquette for camping
Hairdressers Always Know Best: Camping Etiquette for Everyone
Let's chat about camping! ️ I recently caught up with my fantastic hairdresser, Annie (names have been changed to protect the fabulous). Annie and her hubby are total camping enthusiasts in Western Australia. They'd much rather explore the great outdoors 🏕️ their 4WD and camper trailer than be stuck on a plane. ✈️
During our chat, Annie shared some hilarious and not-so-hilarious stories about camping etiquette (or the lack thereof!). I also shared some in return, and we giggled a bit. It got me thinking that maybe some camping newbies and oldies (although I think the Grey Nomads have this one sorted) could benefit from a quick rundown of how to be a considerate camper. After all, nobody wants to be that person who ruins the experience for everyone else and is never asked back or banned from a campsite (Yes, this can happen!).
Camping with Friends: The Dos and Don'ts
* Communication is critical! Agree on activities, meals, and whether you'll venture together or chill
at your campsites. ️
* Early birds? That's cool. Spect quiet hours and avoid waking up fellow campers before 7 a.m., especially those with teenagers (we've all been there!).
* Agree who's bringing what and contributing to brekkie, lunch and dinner. (you can always get the eggs from us) 🍳
Fire Safety is No Joke
* Only light fires during permitted times. Check for bushfire ratings before you spark up.
* Keep it contained! We have designated fire pits and never leave a fire unattended. Also, extinguish it properly before turning it in for the night. 🔥
* Leave no trace. Pack out all your rubbish and leftover firewood.
* Never leave a fire unattended, and never leave the campsite with the fire still lit. This is very dangerous for our home and could cause a bushfire. 🧑🏻🚒
* Use only preexisting firepits. Do not create a new one.
* Keep the Firewood on the Ground (Literally). We do not collect any wood from our property; we are a regenerative farm, and we allow it to break down naturally. It provides a habitat for wildlife and helps the environment. 🪵
Respect the Space of Others
* Don't pitch your tent too close to others. Imagine hearing every conversation or snore from next door. Give everyone some privacy! This is why we have eight designated sites, so please don't park somewhere else other than where the sign for your campsite is located.
* Arrive before sunset. First campers might be surprised by the lack of streetlights! Enjoy the starry night sky once you settle in. 🌅
Bathroom Basics
* Always pack toilet paper and a toilet (and maybe an extra loo roll for good luck). 🧻
* Leave no surprises! Dispose of waste properly by taking it with you and never digging a hole on private land. 🚽
Toilet Etiquette: Yes, there's a feedback App for our Composting Toilet!
* We have a compostable toilet, but please use it sparingly. If you are out of toilet paper, let us know, or feel free to leave your spares!
* Don't forget to brush and check for the next person, and treat our property like it's your home; I'm sure you would always check and always put the toilet seat down at home. (Us ladies don't like falling in the toilet at night)
If you become a champion user, don't worry; there's an app for that (because there's an app for everything these days, right? ). We always love to see what people write, but my personal favourite comment of all time is "One Fancy Toilet" - too funny!
Taking Out the Trash ️
* Pack out all your rubbish. Respect the campsite and don't overload the bins.🚮
* Be mindful of collection days. You might have to take a long walk if you leave your trash behind! 🗑️
* We also have a container for changing location to recycle any of your 10c bottles or cans.
Generator Etiquette
* Ask permission before using a generator. The noise and fumes can be bothersome for others. At Jacaran a Hill Farm, we do not allow them.
* Follow fire safety regulations. Generators might be restricted during bushfire season.
Keep an Eye on Your Little Adventurers!
* Respect Quiet Times. Quiet hours typically apply before 7 am and after 11 pm. Be mindful fellow campers, especially those who might be enjoying some post-dinner drinks and marshmallows by the fire and have stayed up late, they may require a little more quiet in the mornings. 👧
Curious Hands? Not So Fast!
* Don't touch what isn't yours! This includes pumps, solar panels, fences and hoses (this has caused us to have no water in our veggie patch before now).
Furry Friends Deserve Respect Too!
* Always ask permission before petting someone else's dog. Not all pups joy cuddles from strangers, especially other people's pets! (Please do not pick up our Puppies, they will not like it) We have also had to ask for photos of our pets to be removed from social media, as some people do not respect that this is also our family home. 🐕🦺
Know Your Limits: Vehicle Edition
* A 4WD is meant for off-roading, but that doesn't mean everywhere. Don't attempt challenging terrain if your vehicle isn't equipped for it. Stick to the s signposted tracks and never explore off-track. There are often designated areas of double gees you do not want in your tyres. You also might need to call for help (and end up with a bruised ego). 🚙
Be a Good Neighbor!
* Respect the privacy of the campsite owners. Avoid walking st their house early in the morning.
* Also respect the privacy of our fellow farmers and their animals, do not allow your dog to chase their animals, your dog should be on a lead at all times.
We've Got Your Back (and Your Privacy)
* We use cameras for security purposes. This helps us keep everyone safe in case of emergencies like bushfires, missing people or in the event that a vehicle is being looked for.
* We won't share your information or footage with anyone without permission, please return the favour. Please also, if you do share images on social media, tag us.
* Remember, we love drones on the farm (gotta monitor those landscapes and bushfires!), but be cool and respectful of other campers' privacy and our privacy, don't drive past our house or the kids or fellow farmers. No surprise dron paparazzi missions, okay? And for the love of all things safe, keep those drones away from powerlines and trees! They do get stuck (Yes, we have had a phone call for a stuck drone) and become permanent residents. Drone pro tip: o ly fly when it's absolutely necessary. 📸
Safety first! If you see something suspicious, say something. We will interrupt or let people know they need to move on if they are upsetting us or other campers. We want to keep our campground a safe and happy place for everyone. That includes keeping things family-friendly, so ditch the skimpy photo shoots. Think of wholesome camping memories, not questionable content!
Finally, when we say closed, we mean closed! We do need a holiday too. No Valentine's Day gatecrashers, please. We don't want any dusty tantrums or upset puppies or phone calls to the police to check some number plates (Yes I have done this). We run a family usiness here, and sometimes a girl needs some peace! ✌️ Luckily, we have good cameras to keep an eye on things.
So, that's the camping etiquette rundown!
We hope you're now a pro camper ready to experience the wonders of the great outdoors. ️
But hey, that's just one or two stories out of thousands of happy campers! Most of our guests over many years are awesome folks who want to relax and enjoy nature. And that's exactly what we love about this whole camping thing. The good far outweighs the bad, and that's why we'll keep doing what we do. So come on down, grab your tent or caravan, and let's get outdoors and camping! ️☀️
All of you are awesome campers already (like, 99.9% awesome!), so thanks for being stellar guests. ✨ We know a diamond in the rough when we see one, and you campers are the real gems! Thank you so much for coming to visit and supporting us. Those few who can see trouble? Well, let's say they're the ones who leave us pondering the universe and everything, looking up to the stars and wondering why they can't just be cool like our favourite @Hipcamp Campers. The good far outweighs the bad, so we keep this beautiful spot open for adventurers.
So come on down, relax, and enjoy the peace and quiet! ️ We'll be here with a friendly smile and views that make memories. 🤠