Burrum Heads – Queensland’s Best Kept Camping Secret!

Burrum Heads – Queensland’s Best Kept Camping Secret!

Burrum Shores, Burrum Heads

By Karen Mace

Just 30-40 minutes from Hervey Bay, on the iconic Queensland Fraser Coast is a small village called Burrum Heads. It’s a seaside village with only a few shops, a caravan park, and a delightful waterfront area.

It won’t be a small village for long though. We passed a site being prepared as a subdivision. With all the houses planned for that small space, Burrum Heads will soon be a small town, and no doubt, when another subdivision is developed, it will become a large town. The few small shops will become a small shopping centre, perhaps a medical centre will pop up, and depending on the demographics of those who purchase the homes being built – and it seems all those planned for the subdivision we encountered, are already spoken for – there may be a school. And perhaps even a Bunnings!

 Just past the work on the subdivision and down the road from Burrum Heads is a tranquilly beautiful campsite. It’s a tiny piece of unspoiled nature that seems far removed from the bustling growth taking place not so far away. Our daughter Miriam and her fiance Chris have been enjoying this property for years, so when they offered to take us along with them, we couldn’t wait!

 

Once you’ve booked on HipCamp, you will be given a code for the locked gate that keeps Burrum Shores as a special place for just a few campers at a time. You will probably notice a few kangaroos as you drive towards the water crossing that is part of the fascinating wetlands, home to a variety of birdlife. We even saw a few graceful brolgas strolling elegantly through the high grass.

 

You will be met by your host when you cross through the water and will be guided to your site. It may be one with ocean views, or one that looks out over the wetlands, or even one that runs alongside a large field where cows come and go, often curious about the human activity just over the shared fence. Wherever you are, the beach is only steps away.

The water at low tide is a long way out – a long way – but it’s great for walking and exploring the long, very wide beach! Soldier crabs are everywhere, scuttling out of the way as you splash and stomp through small and not so small pools of water, water snails leave their mark too, and so do sand worms.

When the tide is in, make the most of it. The water is shallow and just right for kayaks and stand up paddle boards. I’ve even seen some ambitious yoga lovers doing yoga on a paddle board! There is also the wetlands if you fancy a paddle when the tide is out.

 

When night falls you can join other campers around the fire pit for drinks, conversation and if you’re lucky, a delicious camp oven cook up! The pine-scented wood crackles and sparks in the fire pit while above twinkling fairy lights strung between and around three large trees are like stars in the inky night sky.  It’s special to hear the sound of laughter melding with the constant rise and fall of the ocean rushing in or drawing back, with the croak of frogs floating from the wetlands, blending in and rounding out the fireside get-together. But, if you just want some alone time, Burrum Shores is perfect for that too. Make it what you want it to be.

 

Follow them on Facebook HERE

and book your stay at HERE

 

Live Big. Truck It! GMSV TV Commercials Behind the Scenes

Live Big. Truck It! GMSV TV Commercials Behind the Scenes

GMSV’s motto is ‘Live Big.’ It has also been our motto for a few years now, so when we were asked to become ambassadors for GMSV, it seemed a good fit for us and them. Together, Chris and I are Aussie Destinations Unknown. Over two years ago we started towing our large and heavy caravan(s) around Australia with a Chevy Silverado. The Chevy became a talking point soon after that, and not too much later people began linking ADU with the title, ‘The Face of American Trucks in Australia’. We’ve been more than happy to wear the title!

Watch GMSV TV Commercial Here!

We love to stand out, in a good way, and the Chevy Silverado HD helps us do that. Recently, as part of our role as GMSV ambassadors, we were asked to be involved in the latest GMSV TV commercials that were filmed in an incredibly beautiful part of Queensland called the Scenic Rim.

Wardrobe is decided a few weeks earlier and neutral, summery colours are the go. After our fitting the night before filming, we are ready for the big screen!  At about 4:00am we hook up our 4.5 tonne Titanium caravan behind the 2022 Chevy HD and the combination absolutely steals the show.

Filming kicks off early at Mt Barney with a drone capturing us coming up and over the hill while the sunrise and surrounding mountains create the perfect backdrop. If only it was that easy! We do the same take about ten times, with each shot requiring us to make a very tight u-turn at the base of the hill to then head back up and do it all again. Thankfully Chris is an expert at manoeuvring our monstrous set up and avoids all the trees and fences! The production company, Betty Wants In, have incredibly organised staff who are amazing to work with; everything is organised, right down to the girls who run over to wipe the dust off the truck in between shots. Bacon and egg rolls are handed out about 8:30am, and the crew of about twenty, plus us, and the GMSV team, all grab a bite to eat before setting up for the next scene.

 

Once we’ve captured all the necessary angles at Mt Barney, we move onto the next location – a national park where we have our own traffic control set up. Moogerah Peaks is a gorgeous national park where you will find ancient, volcanic peaks covered with eucalypt forest, montane heath covered rocks and even rainforest in some sheltered areas. All we need is one winding road and a place to turn around at the top and bottom. These shots are the most challenging for Chris as we must follow the camera vehicle that has a $100,000 camera hanging off the back.  Chris needs to get close without hitting it and he does it perfectly.

From there it’s lunch in Boonah and onto our final location, Wyaralong Dam, Queensland’s newest dam, having just been completed in 2011. This is where things get interesting! All the previous shots were externals of the HD and caravan, but here we take everything out of the back seat and replace it with the camera and someone to operate it. It’s time for hair and makeup for BOTH of us – Chris included. We drive up and down past the dam for about twenty minutes with the camera focused on me pointing, smiling at Chris, and just having a great old time on my road trip. We return, the camera comes out of the backseat and takes my spot in the front seat for Chris’s closeup. Then it’s back to base again for a reset before returning out past the dam to the main road and back. This time we follow very closely behind the camera car again, taking great care to avoid hitting it during the close encounters. But … here we aren’t the only stars of the show! The line up in the field is impressive; a red Trail Boss, our black HD, plus a very nice Malibu Wakesetter that’s hooked up behind the white LTZ Premium, our caravan is also there, plus a few other vehicles and lots of people.

The shots here are varied and include an hilarious scene with the HD half up on a rock, four people jumping up and down in the back, and someone waving a leafy branch around to give the illusion of the HD moving. ‘That’s a wrap’ echoes loud and clear after the sunset has been used as another incredible backdrop, this time over the dam. We all gather around for a group photo, extremely proud of what we have achieved. The final TV commercials are incredible, and we are so excited to show you. You will see us popping up all over the place, and when you do, feel free to let us know what you think.

For more info about which Silverado best suits your needs, check out https://www.gmspecialtyvehicles.com/

Watch GMSV TV Commercial Here!

15 Christmas Gift Ideas for the Outdoor Enthusiast!

15 Christmas Gift Ideas for the Outdoor Enthusiast!

Christmas for the camping and outdoor lover made easy with these gift ideas!

It’s well and truly time to start thinking about Christmas gifts! And if you’re stuck – let me share 15 awesome gift and some stocking stuffer ideas that will have your entire family covered (and your mates too!)

If you’re like me and have family or friends with birthday’s coming up during the silly season, why not take advantage of the list below and do some birthday shopping while you’re at it?

We work closely with all of these brands, using their incredible products all the time. We are super excited to be able to offer special discounts to our followers and supporters on all of the items listed below, so be sure to enter our code or click on the links to get the discount. Every purchase made using our discount codes will help to keep us on the road creating awesome content for you! We believe the products are as awesome as the Aussie owned people who have created them and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do 🤙🏼

adu merch

 

Want to make sure your gift is THE BEST this Christmas? Then click this link and grab some of our EPIC ADU Merch! Perfect for a weekend getaway, training at the gym, walking the dog, adventuring,  going to the movies … or whenever you want to look reaallly good. 

Our gear is comfy, stylish, durable and only available here in our online store. Designed by us and printed in Australia.

SHOP HERE

campgrill

So good that I even got my dad one! We love our Campgrill and use it whenever we can. It’s Chris’s favourite way to cook, looks great, keeps us warm, is light weight and packs down really small.

Head over to the Camp Grill website and use our code ADUCREW for a discount off your purchase.

SHOP HERE

Skinnies Sungel

I had been on the hunt for a good sunscreen for almost 8 years until I stumbled across Skinnies Sungel, I contacted them immediately. I love what the product is, I love what it stands for and from now on we will use nothing else for our sun protection. Head over to https://skinnies.com.au/ and use our discount code ADUCREW for a 15% discount off your purchase! Your skin and the planet will thank you 🙂 Read more here.

SHOP HERE

tidy turf mats

Now available in BLACK! These Aussie hand-made mats are THE BEST for getting rid of excess debris that’s stuck to your feet or your shoes … think sand, wet grass, mud and whatever else you, your mates , your dog or your kids might of stepped in! Use our exclusive code ADU10 to get a discount! Click here to read more.

SHOP HERE

lskd gear

 

You can’t go wrong with LSKD as a gift for anyone! We have been wearing this brand since the very beginning and love it! Use our code CREWADU to get a discount off all non-sale items! Click here to read more.

SHOP HERE

bbq arm

Designed for camping and 4WD enthusiasts, this is the must-have caravan, camping and 4WD accessory. We used this all the time before our slide-out kitchens came along. We had a mount near the tow bar of our 4WD and one on the side of the van – it’s a really handy little gadget! No need to lug the bulky BBQ trolley around anymore.

Head over to the BBQARM website and use our code ADUCREW for a discount off your purchase.

SHOP HERE

dometic GO range

This is our favourite Dometic release yet! We get so many compliments and people asking where they can find this ‘awesome camp gear’. Designed with outdoor adventures in mind, Dometic GO is lightweight, resilient gear designed to fit seamlessly into the back of your car.

It’s also the best looking set on the market! We use the chairs, and table all the time and the bench seat doubles as a weight bench for us!

Head over to the Dometic Website and use our code ADUCREW for a discount off your purchase. This code also works on all these items as well.

SHOP HERE

kids gift ideas

Use our discount code ADUCREW across the ENTIRE Adventure Awaits website! You will find endless gift ideas for the kids in your life – big and small!

Head over to the Adventure Awaits website and use our code ADUCREW for a discount off your purchase.

SHOP HERE

dometic GO range

We LOVE our Dometic drinkware – especially the new colours they have recently released! Convenient to clean and comfortable to use, the drinkware can be used for hot and cold drinks.

Thermally-insulated bottles suitable for water, thermally-insulated tumblers great for hot drinks on the go and stackable cups for water, coffee and mixed drinks.

Head over to the Dometic Website and use our code ADUCREW for a discount off your purchase. This code also works on heaps of other Dometic products too!

SHOP HERE


Wandspro Clipcroc Dinnerware

 

ClipCroc is a unique ‘Clip-together’ crockery (tableware) range including plates, dishes, bowls & cups. They all CLIP TOGETHER to provide a quick, quiet, clean and cool advantage meaning NO FUSS, NO MESS, NO NOISE & No Rubbish!

They are rattle free, easy to pack, safe to stack, heat insulating & easy to clean! Use our exclusive code ADU10 to get a discount! Click here to read more.

SHOP HERE

Survival First Aid Kits

 

Aussie-made, award winning and all-round bloody brilliant first aid kits that we have been using for many years.
We wouldn’t be without one and shouldn’t be either!

Use our exclusive code ADUCREW to get a discount!

SHOP HERE

Bliss Blender

We love the Bliss Blender Pro! Its small and easily fits into the kitchen in the caravan or the pullout pantry in the Chevy and has a strong, high performance motor that turns ice, fruit and/or supplements into a delicious smoothie in just seconds.

It charges via a USB-C cable (with a splash proof port) – and one charge lasts ages! With a 500ml capacity and a blender that turns into a cup, it ticks all the boxes for us.

Head over to the Bliss Blender website and enter our exclusive discount code ADUCREW for a discount of your purchase!

Use our exclusive code ADUCREW to get a discount!

NY Gym Towel Co

NY Gym Towel Co have created the PERFECT antibacterial gym sweat towels and yoga mat towels infused with silver.

Sound too good to be true? Read more here.  Use our exclusive code MIMFIT,  to get a 20% discount off ALL PRODUCTS! Click to read more.

Silver as a natural anti-biotic and antibacterial can be added as nano particles into microfibre to create an Antibacterial Cloth. The nano particles of the silver actually trap the bacteria, not just wipe it around like a normal sweat towel does. Like magic, the silver actually deactivates 99% of the bacteria preventing it from spreading on the equipment and your body. What makes our product so unique and even better, the silver properties in our towels means they are “odour-free” too! That’s a God send to those mums who have to clean out their kids sports bags.

 

Switch Nutrition Supplements

What do you have in life if you don’t have your health? We use these health supplements every day, and have done for years.

Use our exclusive code ADUCREW to get a discount! Gift Cards available!

I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 25 years and tried so many supplements it’s insane. Especially when competing. I used to import products from the USA, and goodness knows where else in my efforts to find ‘the perfect supplement’. Now, thankfully, I can say I’ve found it! And … Switch Nutrition is made in Queensland on the Sunshine Coast. I personally know the owner/creator/genius behind these products and can without a doubt say they are life changing.

If you haven’t tried them, do yourself (and your health!) and favour – and get onto it! My parents take these, my teenage daughter uses them – they are for almost everyone! From those looking to improve their help, get a better nights sleep or up their game when working out, these are the go-to supplement.

Slide ‘n’ Dry Pegless Clothesline

We’ve been using this pegless clothesline for years – check out the ancient image!  We are always on the lookout for products that make camping/caravanning easier – and this is one of the best things we’ve come across! No more fiddling with pegs – hanging your washing is fast and easy;  Easy on, easy off! Simply slide your washing into the slots to dry.

Perfect for indoors and outdoors, at home, camping or travelling. You can add a couple together, and you can make single ones shorter so they fit almost anywhere. 1 pk = 2 metres of pegless washing line and 2 bungee cords, 12 slides, 24 points. All slides are inter locking – so you can make your line as long or as short as you need. We use it both in the caravan and when are in just the Chevy and rooftop tent.

Do yourself a favour and click the link below to be taken to our store to grab yours now. And take my advice – buy more than one. We have 4!

No matter who you are shopping for, you are bound to put smiles on their dials with something from this list! And if you have any questions at all in regards to anything at all … please ask us! There’s nothing we love more than sharing our experiences to make things better/easier/more fun for you. Ho ho ho and happy shopping!
Karen’s Sourdough Bread Using Thermomix & Air Fryer

Karen’s Sourdough Bread Using Thermomix & Air Fryer

About this Recipe

By: Karen Mace

I never thought I could make sourdough. It all seemed too hard. Now, I am a fan. I love it and using this method makes it easy and fun. Once you get used to making the basic loaf, you can throw all sorts of things in to make it ‘special’. Just add things at the pressing into a square or rectangle stage.

Ingredients

  • 400g bakers flour (can use all white or a mix of white and wholegrain). I prefer Kialla Organic Stoneground White Flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 230mls water
  • 160-200g starter

Tip:
The starter is really important. When I started making sourdough bread I didn’t prepare the starter before using it. Since I have been doing that I’ve noticed a marked (positive) difference in rising and flavour. A friend gave Miriam some of his starter and Miriam gave some to me. The person our friend got it from had kept it going for 25 years, add another two years to that and we have a starter that has been going for 27 years! Before we throw everything into the Thermi, we ‘gee up’ as our friend says, the starter. What that means is you feed the starter and leave it for a couple of hours to bubble and brew until it’s doubled in size. To do this, add equal parts starter, water and flour. The top will be a mass of bubbles and the mix itself will be a stretchy, stingy consistency – perfect! When it’s like this, it’s ready to use. You can also test the starter by dropping a bit into water. If it floats, it’s ready!

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Throw all the above into your Thermomix. Set dough mode to 5 mins and let it go.

Step 2

Tip dough out into a very lightly oiled dish (I use a Pyrex one, but it can be any kind), place a piece of plastic wrap or a tea towel over the top and let it rise for three-four hours in a draft-free spot. The warmer it is, the quicker it will rise, but you don’t want it to rise too quickly otherwise it might collapse on itself.

Step 3

When it has doubled in size, tip onto a lightly floured board. I like to use rice flour for this part, but it’s a preference only. Pat out into a square or rectangle, then pull the corners into the middle of the piece of dough. You can place it in a Banneton or you can place it straight into the airfryer baking pan.

 

Step 4

Cover again and place in the refrigerator for 12 – 24 hours. I find that the longer it is in the ‘fridge, the more intense the flavour. 

Step 5

To bake the loaf, if it is already in your baking pan, pop it into preheated airfryer, set to pie mode, cook for 10 mins at 200 degrees, then reduce temp to 180 degrees for 20 mins.  You can bake straight from the ‘fridge, or leave it to come to room temperature before baking. It may need a little less time if you choose the second option. The loaf is ready when you hear a hollow sound when it’s tapped with a knuckle.


Happy baking. Please let us know how you go if you choose to try making your own sourdough bread!

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Air Fryer Pancakes