CAMPING WITH DONNA & ANNELISE
Our family of four includes my husband, myself, and our two teenage daughters. Our youngest daughter, Annelise, lives with Rhett Syndrome and depends on a wheelchair to get around. Like most travellers, we (mainly me) enjoy the comforts of hotel accommodation, but it's extremely difficult to find accessible accommodation that suits our needs and our budget.
We were first invited by friends to join them camping a few years ago. I was hesitant, but seeing as it was a holiday park with power and amenities, we decided to give it a go.
We started camping in holiday parks, such as Blacksmiths Beach Holiday Park in Lake Macquarie (NSW). Although the community is always welcoming, it can get quite noisy and sometimes overcrowded. Over time, we wanted to get back to nature.
Now, we take annual camping trips and we go off the grid (which means no power, no amenities, and no WiFi or phone coverage). My husband and older daughter love the outdoors, and they welcome the challenges and adventures that come with living in a tent. Annelise loves the freedom that comes with being in the water, so we make sure we pick camping spots near bodies of water for her. We all enjoy being out in the fresh air, experiencing nature and wildlife.
We have made a few adjustments to make camping work for us, as a family travelling with a person with a physical disability. We travel with both a wheelchair and a beach wheelchair, different seating, and mats for the floor (so that Annelise doesn't have to spend all of her time in a chair). We pack extra tarps to cover the wheelchair, so it doesn't get wet overnight. We added a pod on top of our Kia to transport the extra equipment, and roof racks for kayaks. For Annelise's hygiene, we bought a battery to supply power to a camp shower.
Our favourite campground is Bendeela Camping Ground in Kangaroo Valley, a two hour drive south from Sydney. We pay just $10 for a five-day stay. It's surrounded by wide open spaces, so even during peak camping times, you don't feel overcrowded. At night, you can get up close with resident wombats as they roam your campsite and rub up on your tent or car for a scratch. The river is within walking/wheeling distance for water activities, and Annelise loves getting out in the kayak or just sitting in the flowing water.
If you're thinking about trying camping, we suggest it's best to start with a holiday park it's cheap, you'll have access to bathroom facilities, and there's phone service in case of emergencies. Don't forget to pack the insect repellent - lots of insect repellent! - and a mat or air-mattress for floortime and/or changing. Charge all your back-up batteries before you go, and take lots of photos to capture the memories you're making.