I survived 'camping' and I didn't need to give up my dignity or the WiFi

I embarked on a mission to prove I could find an alternative to pitching a tent, bush wees, and smelling like campfire smoke. 

There are two types of people in this world: those who love camping and those who loathe it. I fall firmly into the latter.

Unfortunately for me, when the devil couldn’t reach me, he sent me a camper. And then I married him. 

Love is blind, right?

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I took my tent trauma and became cabin queen. Image: Supplied.

Bushland doesn't have to mean ditching the broadband 

I’ve been with my husband for almost ten years, married for three. In that time, we’ve ticked off travel, bought a house, and welcomed a baby.

But over the course of our decade together, the only camp I’ve cared for is Lady Gaga at the Met Gala.

This weekend, I embarked on a mission to prove I could find an alternative to pitching a tent, bush wees, and smelling like campfire smoke.  Who would have thought that would even be a challenge to begin with?

We stuck the toddler in the car for four hours (not the best start to my convincing). There were snacks, spills and at least three Wiggles playlists. 

We travelled from Sydney to Discovery Parks - Forster and from the moment we arrived I started making comparisons.

My personal favourite? I didn’t have to set up anything. No tent poles to wrestle, no air mattress to pump. Just a key to a door attached to a room with everything an exhausted mum could need.

The cabin door opened like a scene from a real estate reality show. It had walls, running water, and a working toilet. Be still my city-girl heart, this is my kind of camping.

The rooms were clean, spacious, and came with a fully stocked kitchen. Every utensil I worried I’d need, they had. It was honestly a dream to cook dinner each night in our cabin (words I never thought I’d say on a camping trip).

Our son was spoiled with crafts and activities the staff provided. Although, opening empty cupboards proved just as fun. 

The site is just a short 15-minute drive to the local shops. I’ve never had a Kmart to raid while “roughing it” in the bush.

There’s plenty to do in the local community. Mini golf, a cinema, bowling are just some of the choices. For our trip the weather wasn’t exactly on our side, but we made our own fun in the cabin, enjoying the views provided by the Wallamba River and the on-site amenities.

We were treated to two air conditioners in our room, which is two more than I’ve ever had while camping. I even caught up on my latest Netflix obsession thanks to the free WiFi once the little one was down for the night. 

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Discovery Parks - Forster spoils you for choice with a splash park, pool, playground and jumping pillow. Image: Supplied

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Roughing It? I Don’t Know Her

Amongst the cabins, there’s a splash park, pool, and playground. A skatepark too. But my trampoline-obsessed son’s favourite? The giant jumping airbag. 

There’s also a dog wash on site. Apparently, even the family pet deserves a spa day while camping. 

You can hire paddle boards and other water sport gear, plus the site offers BBQ areas and fishing spots. It’s the perfect summer adventure or the ideal winter warmer.

It’s the sort of place you visit with the ambition of giving your kids core memories without sacrificing your own comfort.

And at the end of the trip? There was no tent to pack up in the rain.  No dirt clinging to my skin after days without a shower. We just got in the car and drove home.

When I asked my husband if it was better than camping, I got an “ehh.”  Which, for those playing at home, is husband language for “I’m going to appear neutral so I don’t piss off my wife.”

But that “ehh” was followed by: “When we come back in summer...”

He was unintentionally forward planning trip number two in the car on the drive home! 

I might not have succeeded in replacing camping entirely. But I think I found a place where we can build memories for our son without sacrificing showers, air con, or WiFi. 

The writer was a guest of Discovery Parks - Forster and stands firm on her views of camping. 

Originally published as I survived 'camping' and I didn't need to give up my dignity or the WiFi