I used to camp regularly when my daughter was a toddler. I taught myself how to set up a tent with the assistance of a few other single parents and enjoyed sleeping in a tent, star gazing at the star lit skies. I’m not exactly sure when I stopped camping but I am sure that life and excuses got in the way for almost a decade. I also did shorter trips which were more about glamping rather than camping.
My good friend asked me recently if we wanted to go camping with her and her daughter at a place called Lake Gkula for 5 days. I was hesitant but decided to say yes and get back in nature once again. Nature is therapeutic. It’s always been therapeutic for me. I realised that I had given away most of my previous camping equipment much to my dismay but I was determined not to find excuses to skip this opportunity so I bought a new tent, some basics and off we went.
Lake Gkula is in Woodford, Queensland. A location I’ve heard about from many people but never really got to explore it until recently. Having a cup of chai on a cold morning, sitting outside my tent is one of the best things I like about camping! Lake Gkula is very family friendly. There were enough toilets and showers and access to a cafe that also serves alcohol. There was live music for an hour in the evenings and yoga by the lake on most mornings. There were opportunities for the kids to do (paid) activities related to craft and creativity or swim in the man made Lake, Lake Gkula.
I’m not a strong swimmer and decided to venture out in the water nevertheless with my friend. Shortly after, panic kicked in when I couldn’t feel the ground under my feet and my leg cramped. But, I survived to write about my adventure. At night, sitting around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, gazing at the star lit skies was again another beautiful part of camping I can go again and again to. The camp site provided wood for the fire and there were people from many different parts of the world, not just Australia whose accents made the stories they had to share even more memorable.
If you are looking to get away to a place that feels therapeutic and healing for the soul with family or friends, I would highly recommend this wonderful place. Thank you, #LakeGkula for our camping adventure.
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