Travellers • Campers • Campground Contributors
Exploring Australia’s Hidden Places, One Camp at a Time
Retirement in 2023 marked the beginning of a new adventure for Gary and Christine Barten. Based in Bunbury in Western Australia’s south west, the couple set out on a twelve-month lap of Australia with a simple goal—to slow down, take the road less travelled and discover the places that many travellers drive straight past.
Travelling in a Ford Ranger set up for touring and a compact hybrid caravan built for extended off-grid camping, Gary and Christine have embraced a style of travel centred around remote campsites, quiet country towns and the authentic character of regional Australia. Rather than chasing crowded tourist destinations, they seek hidden bush camps, isolated rivers, and the smaller communities where history, hospitality and country life still thrive.
Their passion for camping goes far beyond finding somewhere to spend the night. Every campground is another opportunity to experience a different corner of Australia and to help other travellers discover places they may never have found otherwise.
As some of the earliest contributors to the Country Campfire Campground Project, Gary and Christine have generously shared detailed campground reviews that preserve practical knowledge while encouraging others to explore Australia’s hidden gems. Their contributions reflect the spirit of Country Campfire—slowing down, supporting country communities and appreciating the simple pleasures found around the campfire.
When they’re not travelling, Gary and Christine enjoy boating, fishing, spearfishing and spending time outdoors, sharing a lifelong love of nature and the Australian bush.
Whether it’s a remote riverside campsite, an overlooked country pub or a quiet town with its own unique history, Gary and Christine continue to remind us that some of Australia’s greatest experiences are still found by taking the road less travelled.
Connect with Gary & Christine
Follow Gary & Christine’s travels and adventures online.
- 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gary.barten.7
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartengary
Campground Reviews
The following campgrounds have been reviewed by Gary & Christine Barten as part of the Country Campfire Campground Project.
Desert Queen Baths
Deep in remote Karlamilyi National Park, Gary shares one of WA’s great 4WD adventures — rugged tracks, spectacular gorge country and permanent desert waterholes.
Einasleigh River
A secluded river camps in Far North Queensland
Paddy’s Flat
A beautiful riverside campground on the Clarence River in northern NSW.
Hughes Crossing
A peaceful riverside bush camp offering a genuine off-grid camping experience surrounded by nature.
Help Keep Australia’s Great Campsites Alive
The best campsites are often shared around the campfire, not found in guidebooks.
The Campground Project exists to preserve those special places before they’re forgotten. Every review comes from real travellers who want to help others experience Australia’s incredible camping culture.
If you’ve found a campground worth remembering, we’d love you to add it to the collection.