100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

How's the serenity — or not! Why Sami Muirhead really hates camping

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Long-running beachside business to close

A popular beachside venue is preparing to farewell its customers after more than two decades of trade. Sunny’s at Moffat, at 1/10 Seaview Terrace, Moffat More

Threats to council staff spark respect plea

Reports of abusive and aggressive behaviour towards council staff had increased since 2024, with some workers subjected to threats of violence while doing their More

Inclusive sports event eyes wider reach

A new inclusive sports event launched on the Sunshine Coast is set to expand across regional Queensland. The inaugural All-Abilities Games at the Sunshine Coast More

Cash rate hits 18-year high in fresh blow for borrowers

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates to the highest level since 2008, heaping pressure on the government to cut spending. In a More

‘Severe thunderstorm outbreak’ expected in south-east

Severe thunderstorms are likely to hit many parts of South-East Queensland and beyond on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist David Crock said, More

Woman winched from cruise ship

A woman in her 70s has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after a medical emergency at sea. The Sunshine Coast-based LifeFlight aeromedical More

Hi! My name is Sami, and I am not a camper. I have always felt a little ashamed of this. I love a hotel room. I love room service and fancy sheets. I love a resort pool. I even love just being home in my bedroom.

This admission makes me a little unAustralian, and I have hidden the knowledge that I am terrified of tents my entire life for fear of being labelled a snob or a wimp. Why do I dislike camping? Let me count the ways.

  1. You spend days packing everything, from plastic wine glasses to portable toilets.
  2. Dirt, grime, sweat and general ickiness (this includes wearing thongs while having a shower).
  3. Sleeping in a swag (feels like a coffin) or a tent means you spend the entire night listening to rustling sleeping bags and stressing if any wild animals will break into the tent and put you out of your misery.
  4. A cup of coffee is a cooking procedure not a pleasure.
  5. Packing up and then heading home to unpack all over again and wash off the mud and dust and sand off every single tiny item you packed.

I know everyone will say sleeping under the stars trumps all these small issues, but I am yet to be convinced, people!

Like reading opinion? Get more Sunshine Coast News direct to your inbox by subscribing to our free daily news bulletin. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article

I have just arrived home from the Dunga Derby – Rally for a Cause. We put together a bash car thanks to very generous local companies and dressed up as Batman and Batgirl.

Off we went through remote routes around southeast Queensland. It raised half a million dollars for charity and the people who received the money are very well deserving.

The charity pays for things such as funerals for those who cannot afford it, a new kitchen for a family where the mum has been diagnosed with a brain cancer. It is powerful stuff.

Great people. Great scenery. Great fun. Except for the camping.

It didn’t help that naughty Todd who I work with cable-tied shut my swag with me inside it, placed a fake snake everywhere I went to terrify me and poured ice-cold water over me when it was two degrees. I ended up getting a chopper home because I was a bit pathetic.

If I do Dunga Derby next year (they may not want this princess back) the deal will have to be motel rooms every night.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share