Camping with a Purpose: Experiences with the Custodians

Camping offers numerous benefits, providing both mental and physical rejuvenation. This article explores the purposeful aspects of camping, focusing on Camping with the Custodians, and the unique experiences these host-run camps provide.

The Benefits of Camping

Camping is a restorative activity for the mind and body. It strengthens relationships, offers opportunities to learn new skills, encourages time away from screens, and fosters a connection with nature. Camping reduces stress, enhances physical well-being, and promotes mental clarity.

Studies show that spending time outdoors can significantly improve mental health, elevating mood, attentiveness, and cognitive function. Activities like walking in the woods and breathing fresh air boost self-esteem and reduce anxiety. Camping also encourages us to develop skills, connect with others, and explore the beauty of the natural world.

The Purpose of Camping

The goal of camping often varies from person to person. For some, it’s about connecting with nature; for others, it’s about family bonding, finding peace, or even exploring new cultures. The essence of camping lies in disconnecting from daily distractions, allowing us to focus on personal goals, whether they be learning new skills, exploring nature, or strengthening relationships.

Many youth organizations use camping to teach valuable skills such as reading a compass, pitching tents, and building fires, promoting personal growth and independence.

Camping with the Custodians

Camping with the Custodians offers a unique, immersive experience in Australia. These campgrounds are owned and operated by Aboriginal communities, providing visitors with high-quality facilities and the chance to learn about local culture, history, and traditions. This network of campgrounds allows travelers to not only enjoy the beauty of the land but also engage with the custodians of the region.

Camping with the Custodians offers more than just a place to stay—it’s an opportunity to connect with the local community. Campers can sit around a yarning circle under the stars, listen to stories from elders, and learn traditional skills such as cooking damper over a campfire. This experience deepens one’s appreciation for the land and its heritage.

Notable Campgrounds in the Custodian Network

1. Djarindjin Campsite (Opened May 2022):
Located in Bardi country on the Dampier Peninsula, the Djarindjin Campsite offers easy access to natural wonders like One Arm Point and Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. It features ten unpowered and 37 powered sites, perfect for both large RVs and caravans. Campers will enjoy modern facilities, including a fully-equipped indoor kitchen, BBQ areas, and a yarning circle. The site also includes hot showers, flushing toilets, and a nearby roadhouse with essential supplies.

2. Mimbi Caves Campsite:
Situated near Fitzroy Crossing, the Mimbi Campground offers stunning views of the Emmanuel and Mueller Ranges. This small campground has 15 unpowered sites with hot showers, flushing toilets, and a covered BBQ area. The real gem is the nearby Mimbi Caves, a 350-million-year-old natural wonder that visitors can explore with a guide, discovering ancient rock art, crystal formations, and fossilized reefs.

3. Doon Doon Campground:
Located in Ngarinyin country, along the Great Northern Highway, Doon Doon Campground is surrounded by lush bushlands and scenic red hills. In 2019, its amenities were updated, offering a modern camp kitchen with grills, electric plates, and a yarning circle. Doon Doon Roadhouse, nearby, serves hot food, and their famous burgers are not to be missed!