Thread: Crime in the bush

I spent the best year of my life hitch-hiking and I have nothing but kindness for those who trusted me not to rob or harm them but to help me along my journey. One guy, after a month away from home working, even took me home to his wife and kids and gave me a feed and let me camp in his garden for the night. His wife went nuts at him - said there was a perfectly good spare bedroom I could use!

So, my rule of thumb (ahem) is to pick up hitch hikers as long as I feel comfortable doing so.

As for leaving stuff in the camp all day - any valuables (that I haven't taken with me) would be locked in the Landy. They'll need to break in to get at it.
By leaving stuff around you're sending a message that you're probably going to be back soon.

I think sometimes if it's a camping area with scores of charming but unattended children running around, you might expect them to sneak around your campsite and look for snacks, but I'd say that was rare...and it's not as if they're going to pinch your best stove or your finest cast iron pot.

It's as good a reason as any to go and say g'day to your neighbours when you're camping.

I would leave a tent or bedding set up if I was staying another night, but if I was coming back later to depart id pack it up. Country towns ain't what they used to be!

I had my camp chair and battery charger (for my phone) stolen at a camp ground up north. It's sad that people feel they need rights to other peoples hard earned possessions...

Hitch hikers, that's a no from me. Picked up a 40-something lad on the way to cloncurry and he smelt like he'd been on the drink for a week, I took him 40km to the next town and dropped him off in front of the cop shop. I swore he was going to rob me and he wouldn't stop talking endless drivel!

Second one was a young backpacker, she was grateful but ended up being quite a scary passenger, especially when she was "inspecting" my interior quite thoroughly. She lasted 80km before she got the boot!

Yep leave the camp set up. Do get a bit twitchy on school holidays or Easter if camping main stream, but as others stated, always take the valuables.
Hitch hikers generally no because of no room, but found these two hot and way off track lads on Moreton Island last time. Squeezed them in the back with an icy cold beer and the kids. Did a little sight seeing then dropped them back at the ferry.
I hope it was as interesting to them as it was for me.

Originally Posted by newhue

Yep leave the camp set up. Do get a bit twitchy on school holidays or Easter if camping main stream, but as others stated, always take the valuables.
Hitch hikers generally no because of no room, but found these two hot and way off track lads on Moreton Island last time. Squeezed them in the back with an icy cold beer and the kids. Did a little sight seeing then dropped them back at the ferry.
I hope it was as interesting to them as it was for me.

You may want to rephase that, not that there's anything wrong with feeling that way

Baz