Camping near Perisher (Tips) / Hot Shower (Free or Paid)

[Fred Maranhao]

Hi Guys!

I know there are a couple of threads about this, but they are quite old and probably outdated...

I am planning on going to Perisher this year, but instead of paying for accomodation in Jinda, I was thinking on camping (to keep the costs low).

I usually don’t feel cold and I believe I can go a few days without a shower, but my mates (which I am trying to convince) are afraid of the cold nights and not having a shower (hot).

I am planning on spending the night on Thredbo Diggings Campground (seems to be the closest to Bullocks Flat).

So, my questions are:
1) Is there any place up in Perisher or nearby Bullocks Flat where someone can shower?
2) Or do we need to head to Jinda for a shower? If so, what are the options? We might end up going to Jinda for a beer anyway...
3) How would it be for camping somewhere near Bullocks Flat? We would be using a regular tent... What type of sleeping bag / mat should we look for, for a comfortable night?

Cheers!!!

 

[Jasper Schwarz]

I’m by no means anywhere close to an expert, but pre pandemic I believe you could go to the Jindabyne pool and go for a swim and a shower. someone closer to home would have to answer that.

I only know that cause I was looking at it once for my mate. He was less than pleased when I suggested that if didn’t want to pay for that, Normo’s creek, the snowy river or Lake Jindy were going begging

Can’t provide much more help than that I’m afraid

 

[skifree]

Jindy Pool.

But be real prepared for maybe limited to no access thru 2021.

Otherwise it’s the caravan parks, do not forget the Saw Pit Creek Caravan Park in your research.

 

[Snow Blowey]

Its cold. You will probably die.

 

[Snow Blowey]

Lets just say, i know someone that did it once and i don't know them no more.

 

[northsail]

If you are seasoned campers you will be fine. If you are non campers you will NOT enjoy the experience. However, after a few trips you will work it out.
Have a good sleeping bag and be prepared to retreat to the car in bad weather.

 

[Donza]

Jindy Pool.

But be real prepared for maybe limited to no access thru 2021.

Otherwise it’s the caravan parks, do not forget the Saw Pit Creek Caravan Park in your research.

No showers at Caravan parks anymore.
They were abused.

 

[skifree]

No showers at Caravan parks anymore.
They were abused.

I was assuming the OP would realise they actually need to stay at the caravan park to use bathroom.

 

[Donza]

Its also Jindy.
Not Jinda.

That just sounds odd.
Like Robba instead of Robbo.
Thoma....how are you mate.
Good jacka....

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Its also Jindy.
Not Jinda.

That just sounds odd.
Like Robba instead of Robbo.
Thoma....how are you mate.
Good jacka....

Yeah Donza

 

[Donza]

Yeah Donza

I'm known as Donzy among friends

 

[skull]

Its cold. You will probably die.

This.
Also diggings is closed. You can’t stay there during winter.

 

[Jasper Schwarz]

I feel like you might be smart to pay the money and stay at a cheap air B and B /the station.
At least you have a warm shower and a bed, and honestly it’s not that baaaad

 

[Donza]

I feel like you might be smart to pay the money and stay at a cheap air B and B /the station.
At least you have a warm shower and a bed, and honestly it’s not that baaaad

Lol you said cheap airbnb / station in same sentence as jindy.
Cheap is 1k for a weekend?

 

[skull]

Pay to camp at the kozzie campground just inside the ranger station. Showers, toilets, camp kitchen

 

[Fred Maranhao]

Jindy Pool.

But be real prepared for maybe limited to no access thru 2021.

Otherwise it’s the caravan parks, do not forget the Saw Pit Creek Caravan Park in your research.

Yeah, I was in Thredbo last year and the pool / showers were closed...

I saw Saw Pit Creek option, but was favouring something closer to Bullocks Flat...

 

[Fred Maranhao]

I was assuming the OP would realise they actually need to stay at the caravan park to use bathroom.

Some of the free camping seem to have bathrooms... My question is regarding shower cause I know one of the parties will “require” it... At least for the first time. Then he might be ok for skipping it a day or two.

 

[Fred Maranhao]

Lol you said cheap airbnb / station in same sentence as jindy.
Cheap is 1k for a weekend?

The plan is to drive almost every weekend, so paying for accommodation will be prohibitive.
We will go for a full week in August, with the wives... Then we will have proper accomodation, etc...

 

[Fred Maranhao]

Pay to camp at the kozzie campground just inside the ranger station. Showers, toilets, camp kitchen

That’s $122 for 2 nights, 3 people. Might do that for the first trip, and explore the area for free options...

 

[skull]

That’s $122 for 2 nights, 3 people. Might do that for the first trip, and explore the area for free options...

Jesus. They know how to charge. At least you can divide it up.

 

[Legs Akimbo]

That’s $122 for 2 nights, 3 people. Might do that for the first trip, and explore the area for free options...

There are no free showers.

 

[Fred Maranhao]

Jesus. They know how to charge. At least you can divide it up.

$180 @ NRMA
$70 @ Adventist

Same dates, 2 nights, 3 people, unpowered...

But Adventist shows as sold out for the entire July!

 

[Donza]

$180 @ NRMA
$70 @ Adventist

Same dates, 2 nights, 3 people, unpowered...

But Adventist shows as sold out for the entire July!

No Alcohol at Adventist.....

 

[skifree]

I'm known as Donzy among friends

Dozy

 

[Camoman]

That’s $122 for 2 nights, 3 people. Might do that for the first trip, and explore the area for free options...

This was my option for many many weekends years ago. $122 for an unpowered site might seem a bit steep on face value but at only $20/person/per night it isn't all that bad $$.

For that you get your shower and nicer toilets than then NP long drops. You also get a kitchen facility. You also get a common area with fireplace (obvs subject to covid). The kitchen in itself makes it worth it if you are doing high numbers of trips as it saves you cooking under head torch in the park. Or if you planned takeaway you will be miles ahead $$$ by taking simple supplies and cooking spag bol.

Keep in mind all NP campsites now require booking. Toilets are not as nice. No showers. No kitchen.

IMO by far the best option thru experience. Nobody 'needs' showers daily but for that extra $20 personally on your day totals your body will thank you for it.

 

[Donza]

This was my option for many many weekends years ago. $122 for an unpowered site might seem a bit steep on face value but at only $20/person/per night it isn't all that bad $$.

For that you get your shower and nicer toilets than then NP long drops. You also get a kitchen facility. You also get a common area with fireplace (obvs subject to covid). The kitchen in itself makes it worth it if you are doing high numbers of trips as it saves you cooking under head torch in the park. Or if you planned takeaway you will be miles ahead $$$ by taking simple supplies and cooking spag bol.

Keep in mind all NP campsites now require booking. Toilets are not as nice. No showers. No kitchen.

IMO by far the best option thru experience. Nobody 'needs' showers daily but for that extra $20 personally on your day totals your body will thank you for it.

You also get a Woodfired oven, a drying room and a large fire pit.
For the cost of two beers at perisher

 

[Jacko4650]

There are no free showers.

Nor is camping free in the National Park - $29 per day per vehicle and $6 per booking (must book on-line), no showers let alone hot. The Station is a good start.

 

[Kletterer]

Baby wipes are your friend .

 

[Donza]

Baby wipes are your friend .

Especially if you're a baby

 

[Fred Maranhao]

No Alcohol at Adventist.....

Good to know!

 

[Ozgirl]

Lol you said cheap airbnb / station in same sentence as jindy.
Cheap is 1k for a weekend?

He has no idea! Mummy and daddy pay his lodge fees!

OP, Jindy pool or the thredbo pool (but may as well ski thredbo for that.

The Station is you cheapest no camping accom option.

 

[Jasper Schwarz]

He has no idea! Mummy and daddy pay his lodge fees!

OP, Jindy pool or the thredbo pool (but may as well ski thredbo for that.

The Station is you cheapest no camping accom option.

I’ll have you know that my lodge fees come from my trust fund thank you very much ( just kidding, no annual fees until I turn 21, start paying them off next year.
But you pay for what you get.
Granted I got the air bnb wrong. You live and learn. I have only ever stayed off the snow once and that was at the station. Cost me 1000 bucks for the week.

My dads best mate sleeps in his 4WD in a side street during weekendsHas a very warm sleeping bag, and is yet to complain about it. Some people are just built differently

 

[Fozzie Bear]

No Alcohol at Adventist.....

Don't get noisy, don't leave empties laying around

 

[Ozgirl]

I’ll have you know that my lodge fees come from my trust fund thank you very much

 

[Kelpieboy]

Good to know!

No alcohol or tobacco at AAV.

 

[iagreewithhim]

Island Bend. 15 minutes from Perisher, free (except NP access, which you'll pay one way or another anyway). Tell your mates to man up. If you have to have a hot shower, get a metal bucket and a bush shower.

 

[skull]

free

Also excluding the $6 booking fee

 

[iagreewithhim]

Also excluding the $6 booking fee

I didn't mention that because it would have cost me more than $6 in lost earnings just to type it. A cup of coffee for a week.

 

[dawooduck]

Its cold. You will probably die.

If not all of you, perhaps just your toes

 

[Ultra2.0]

Island Bend. .

shhhh. the first rule of Island bend...

 

[Byron]

shhhh. the first rule of Island bend...

What happens at Island Bend stays at Island Bend?

 

[skifree]

What happens at Island Bend stays at Island Bend?

No one talks about the Island that can’t be mentioned.

 

[Ding]

Sounds like a good business idea to build a shower/toilet only facility. Maybe built next to a laundromat. Charge $20 for 30 minutes use of an enclosed shower/toilet. Charge progressively higher $25/45 minutes, $30/1 hour etc. They can chuck in their dirty clothes in the laundromat while showering. After they're done, they would want to use the dryer to dry their clothes. They'll be bored waiting for their clothes to dry so maybe have a few selection of craft beers on tap. Open 24 hours and could be maintained by a one man shift who can do the cleaning and serving of beers. Might even be a way to automate the beer serving. Add a few vending machines with snacks and drinks and selection of laundry liquids for goretex, wool, etc

 

[Donza]

Sounds like a good business idea to build a shower/toilet only facility. Maybe built next to a laundromat. Charge $20 for 30 minutes use of an enclosed shower/toilet. Charge progressively higher $25/45 minutes, $30/1 hour etc. They can chuck in their dirty clothes in the laundromat while showering. After they're done, they would want to use the dryer to dry their clothes. They'll be bored waiting for their clothes to dry so maybe have a few selection of craft beers on tap. Open 24 hours and could be maintained by a one man shift who can do the cleaning and serving of beers. Might even be a way to automate the beer serving. Add a few vending machines with snacks and drinks and selection of laundry liquids for goretex, wool, etc

Except....that's a caravan park....and its cheaper.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Left out a drying room.

 

[Donza]

Left out a drying room.

And a kitchen

 

[Ding]

What the cheap set could use is a new class of accommodation like Japanese style coffin hotels. Cheaper than a proper hotel but a step above a caravan park or accommodations like The Station in that it can provide personal private sleeping space, albeit cramped. Could probably charge a price in between those accommodation types.

 

[skifree]

They can chuck in their dirty clothes in the laundromat while showering

Except the laundromat does not operate as a laundromat in Winter.

 

[Ding]

And a kitchen

A drying room is a good addition to my "shower hotel" idea. Kitchen not so much. We assume they would eat out in Jindy then scoot off somewhere to sleep in their car or tents. Just need a facility to shower/relieve themselves and clean and dry their clothes.

Basically a caravan park yes, but without the additional costs of building and managing a sprawl of a parking facility.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Aren't those places called lodges ?