The terrifying story of two campers who had a bullet fired into their camper trailer in WA’s Mid West will send a shiver down the spine of many a grey nomad.
While, thankfully, Australia is a remarkably safe country to travel in and camping in remote areas rarely presents any serious problems … you really do just never know.
For many grey nomads, camping out in the bush at a remote campsite – whether they’re on their own or have a few strangers for company – is one of the great joys of life on the open road … but it is not for the faint of heart.
For those of a nervous disposition or with an over-active imagination, those rustling sounds, or that distant howl, or those raucous-sounding fellow camper voices can conjure up all sorts of worrying images.
Even veteran travellers admit to having the occasional bout of the campsite heebie jeebies. PIC: Mazza
While 99.9% of the time, the problem isn’t really a problem and the only thing to fear is fear itself, that’s not to say that ‘weird’ … and unsettling things can’t happen.
In the recent incident in WA, police were called to a campsite at Mullewa, about 100 kilometres east of Geraldton, following reports of a shooting incident.
A WA Police statement said officers found a camper trailer had sustained damage ‘consistent with’ a bullet hole.
“Two people were occupying the camper trailer at the time of the incident; however, no injuries were sustained,” the statement said. “Further information indicates a vehicle was heard leaving the area shortly after the incident.”
Police believe it was an isolated incident and are conducting inquiries into the circumstances.
Member of WA’s legislative Assembly, Kirrilee Warr, said the incident was deeply concerning.
“No one should have to feel unsafe in their own community, or while travelling through our region,” she said. “I’m relieved that no one was physically injured and thank WA Police for their ongoing efforts.”
And, while unusual, these sorts of frightening incidents are not unique.
Last month, for example, campers at a popular spot about 50 kilometres north of Weipa in far north Queensland, were reportedly forced to hide in their tents as alleged people smugglers brought a large group of non-English speakers ashore from a boat.
And several years ago now, a camping grey nomad couple in the South Australian Outback found themselves relocated to safety as police searched for an on-the-run armed fugitive.
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We stayed at Bethungra Dam Nsw in swags with two kids on a road trip north. Just after we settled in for the night a couple of ute loads of shooters decided if was a good idea to take pot shots at the local kangaroo population around our camp. We where to scared to get out and pack up and leave. Just rode it out in our swags with out fingers crossed. We vowed never to return.
Safer camping in the bush than living in Melbourne
We free camped at the back of a roadside stay one night. There was no one else close by. I woke up to the sounds of footsteps very close to the van. I woke my husband and we both looked out the window, too frightened to go outside. It was a herd of cattle quietly walking in a row past our van, making as little noise as possible – very civilised! We were so relieved!
We are dedicated free campers; have been for many years. There have been a few ‘notable’ incidents.
However…these have almost always been not too far out of a town. To resolve these problems, we now always camp at least 30-50kms from any rural town, or simply stay in a campground in town, where security is usually better. So far, so good.
We do as well, 25KM rule no closer than that from the nearest Town, Community or Pub
We were free camping at a quiet spot halfway between Broken Hill and Wentworth next to a dry extension of Lake Menindee. At dusk a number of goats came through the camp and disappeared across the road into the scrub. At about 1.00am a Ute pulled up with 3 – 4 shooters spotlighting for goats. We were afraid when they shone the spotlight on our van but stayed put. They finally gave up looking for a target and left an hour later. Pity they did not look for the goats earlier. The goats finally returned at dawn walking through our camp and disappearing back the wat they had come earlier.
Years ago we camped at Womdeyan caves in an out of the main camp site. We had a tent next to our car. There was another between our car and their car. During the night there was a rumble that got louder and closer. Then went past our camp. There was also lots of screening and yelling. Apparently a bunch of brumbies galloped through the camp and went over the tent next to us. A bloke and a woman were run over in their tent which was destroyed. Their injuries were minimal and they were lucky they were at one side of the tent. The camp manager said it would have been a great idea not to camp over an obvious track through the grassed area.
My opinion this is a stray bullet from an irresponsible shooter. I’m in no way condoning it but what I’m saying, it was not an attack. My guess is the clowns who did this had or have no idea they hit a camper. Looking at the impact area I’d say it was a low powered firearm. Therefore, I see no reason for people to feel scared of some thing malicious but rather aware of another person’s stupidity.
A couple of years ago we were camped at Lawrie Park in Nelshaby South Australia. Apart from the resident drunk knocking on our door thinking we were his neighboring drinking buddy, we heard bullets whizzing past our van. Guessing it was some roo shootin’ folk in a nearby paddock, we ended up ringing the police as it was seriously scary. Never staying there again!