Name: Wayne Markham
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Occupation: business owner and son of former politician Col Markham.
Age: 49
Holiday location: Brewarrina, north west NSW
When I was a kid our big family holiday each year was to go camping in bush on a 35,0000 property.
It would take us 12 hours in the old Holden station wagon, towing the box trailer full as it could get with tents, bikes, cricket bats, cooking gear, chairs, sleeping bags, gas lanterns and all the other stuff needed for 10 days away.
We usually camped on the banks of the Barwon river, however if the river was flooded we’d move up and camp near one of the lagoons.
Our holidays would always include one or two of our neighbouring families, so there were lots of kids around. We’d spend our days swimming in the river, playing cricket, football or riding our bikes.
With no electricity at camp all we had for entertainment was a wireless usually set to the ABC to listen to weather reports, news or cricket tests.
During the day we’d be off exploring looking for wildlife. There were kangaroos, emus, wild pigs, rabbits, foxes and at times some very big snakes and goannas. We’d also try to catch the elusive Murray Cod but more often than not we’d catch yellow belly, cat fish or carp.
Us kids would have the most fun catching yabbies in the lagoons or dams using mince inside one of mum’s old stockings. Finding abandoned Emu eggs was always a highlight. We’d take them back to camp and drill holes in each end to blow out the rotten yolk. Being kids it was always good if you could get one of your brothers with the rotten stuff.
The property had a couple of old Toyota land cruisers. Standing on the back with the other kids was great fun as dad drove through the scrub.
The worst part of going bush was if it rained.
The road into camp was black soil which when it gets wet is like glue. We’d get bogged and someone would have to come and pull us out. These holidays were fantastic and we still re-count our experiences around the dinner table whenever our family gets together. Memories shared are memories loved.
For 22 years now I’ve been going to Tathra for the summer. We stay in the caravan park on the beach side of the main road. The beach is beautiful with the surf club at one end and the Bega river at the other end.
You can fish, water ski on the river, play tennis, lawn bowls and ride bikes all without getting in your car. You don’t have to drive anywhere.