Many declared us either silly or brave for doing this with a four-week-old baby, but we had done the same with Abbey (she was six weeks on her first camping trip) so we took it in our stride. Actually newborns are, in many ways, very easy to take away - they're so portable.
For this camping trip we decided to try somewhere new: the Thomson State Park in South Gippsland (Victoria). It looked something like this...
We met our friends here, Melbourne's largest water catchment, the Thomson Reservoir:
And then wound our way down various tracks to our campsite. Baby Iris had a nap by the river:
While Steve and Abbey set up camp. Why two tents? you may ask. Our independent little four-year-old often insists on having her own tent so she uses our hiking tent while Steve, Iris and I were in the latest addition to our tent collection - the one that takes literally 30-seconds to assemble:
The next day we did some four-wheel-driving - kids often LOVE bumpy roads!
And discovered some beautiful countryside in this part of the world. A great time to visit too, with the spring wildflowers blooming:
Babies are so portable! And I think this is one of the best bits: although you can't break the routine of a baby needing many feeds, nappy changes and sleeps during the day, it's a bit of a sanity saver to at least have a change of scenery as you do it. We stopped to fill Iris's tummy before a short walk:
And then headed off.
We ended up at this old water wheel:
And had a bit of a cool down:
The following day we headed out on a day trip to the town of Walhalla, first spotting some wildlife along the way:
And enjoyed a train ride from Walhalla to the Thomson River:
A fun trip, and the Thomson State Park is a spot we'll be heading back to - mostly for its four-wheel-drive offerings.
As for camping with a newborn? We loved it once again. But be warned: you need to be pretty comfortable with camping to be happy taking your tiny one out into the elements like this.
Ever taken a newborn on a holiday? Did you find it hard or did you love it?
We took our firstborn away for a couple of nights when she was 10 days old. I loved it. Not camping, mind you, although I do love camping. It looks like you had a lovely time, what pretty spot!
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of you Megan! I think you nailed it with 'you have to be pretty comfortable with camping' to begin with. Taking a newborn camping (or a 2 year old or 4 year old) would do my head in at the moment! Well done! Having said this, I agree, babies are so portable, and I remember taking my 3 week old son on an interstate flight/trip and it wasn't as bad as I thought. The routine thing never bothers me, it's the lack of home comforts. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely trip and while havent done camping did do a crazy family holiday with all the sibs and partners in a dodgy old holiday house with a 3 week old baby. Didnt get much sleep but wouldnthave anyway and there were plenty of people to hold the baby so I got the luxury of a hot shower and think I skived out of doing the dishes and nicked off to breast feed LOL. What a lovely place to camp. PS I love that your little one has her very own tent PPS (I think my inlaws just bought the very same put up in seconds tent that you guys have, They love it
ReplyDeleteAppropriately impressed!
ReplyDeleteI'm not game to go camping with babies and toddlers, although I'm keen to do so when the girls are older. This summer we are going to try "camping" in the backyard (sleeping in tents overnight) with our 3yo to introduce her gently to the concept :)
Looks awesome. I love Walhalla - special place. We took a newborn on a holiday but it was pretty well equipped - not sure I'd be brave enough to go camping with one! Kx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pics Megan! I know iris is only brand new, but it looks almost like she has slotted into your family and was always there! Such a gorgeous little slide show of images! xxxx
ReplyDeleteI know babies are portable and when they are so little, they sleep all the time...but no way could I have gone camping with my children when they were that young!
ReplyDeleteBit of a control freak so needed them in their cots on schedule etc. so we waiting until they were older and more self sufficient.
So I admire you and anyone who can do this - just I wasn't that flexible back in my baby days!