We have spent thousands of nights off-grid in our campervan on our travels around Australia and, for the most part, we usually find ourselves at free camps in forests, lonely stretches of highway, or the middle of the outback.

However, there comes a time when you need a bit of luxury. Well… not luxury- maybe just some running water and a hot shower?

Australia is dotted with caravan parks, and to be honest, they’re not that great! They’re often very commercial, very soulless, and very crowded.

Isn’t that right, Willow?

On a trip down to the South of Western Australia we found this quirky place. It’s called Northcliffe Bush Camp and it was the perfect place for Willow to stretch her legs.

I can’t recall how much it was per night but it was certainly a lot cheaper and a great deal more fun than staying at a caravan park. The great thing is that there are places like this all around Australia if you search for them; places with real character.

Like many paid campsites pets have to stay on leash but that didn’t stop Willow from exploring and conducting her all important site inspection and perimeter check. With her harness on she directed me towards the camp kitchen which had a small swap library and a couch made out of an old bathtub!

It would be a great place to relax in winter with the wood fire blazing, some hot chocolate, and maybe some treats for Willow.

But Willow wasn’t in the mood for relaxing. She hopped down off the wooden stool and continued her walk as I followed closely behind, sniffing at the plants and ground with intent interest.

Outside she found the old bar with its ramshackle assortment of bottles, number plates and dusty relics. Another wood fire sat in the middle with seats surrounding it. Another nice little spot to relax.

But Willow only stopped for a moment to take in the place before she was off again.

Willow was done with her exploring and knew exactly what she wanted and where she could get it. She directed me back to our campsite where we had left Steph and the campervan.

Of course! It was dinner time for little black adventure cats! Steph poured out her biscuits into her bowl as she ravenously ate them up.

It wasn’t long before her bowl was empty and she turned to washing her face with her paw. Being December, it wouldn’t be dark for a while so what a perfect night to sit on an old log and take in the sites and sounds of the camp ground: the birds and their evening calls and the other campers strolling by.

Tomorrow I would take a walk around the many trails on the property and try and find the orchids that appear every year. Then it would be time for a quick shower, give the van a tidy, and get back on the road. Willow would jump under the blankets where she’d snooze until we reached our next destination.

Where would that be? Hmm, I can only imagine!

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