When Ryf Quail bought a big family tent earlier this year, he had imagined taking his wife and children on a camping trip to Avoca on the Central Coast for Easter.
Instead, the new tent has been erected in the backyard to bring the camping experience to life at their Newport home. Despite a deflated air bed and the rain, the camp site had been a hit."The kids are loving it," Mr Quail said. "The kids play in the tent all day. We've had toys and games and two bunny rabbits."Advertisement
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant Mr Quail has also had to cut back on work related travel as part of his job running an international events business. "It's been really lovely because I'm home a lot with my kids," he said. Mr Quail is part of a growing new community of backyard campers determined to sleep under the stars despite the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions which have isolated them to their homes.Credit:Ballarat outdoor education teacher David Marriott has attracted more than 2200 members to his new Facebook sitewhere families post photos of their backyard camping experiences.
"A good thing to look at is how other people set up their camp sites. You've got people in hammocks, full caravans and some just enjoying a fire on their deck," Mr Marriott said.One member commented that while their backyard was "not a bad spot to camp", some things never change - "like the rain at Easter". "Just had a great FaceTime with friends - so blessed to have the technology to stay in touch so easily.
AnnaPattySMH Saw a father with two kids sitting in car in carport watching a DVD ...the road trip you are having when you are not having a road trip ...are we there yet ?
AnnaPattySMH