Food ideas for GTG

[pomp]

The wife and I wondered if anyone would share their food ideas for the GTG. We have never camped for more than a week before and the wifes stressing over what we are going to eat. Obviously space is a major consideration, we have a 50l Waeco and are also considering hiring a second fridge.
Theres only so much eggs and bacon you eat

[zookcubr]

Hi Pomp,
in past long trips we use to just make up food frozen already to warm up and eat on a portable stove. Freeze in a sealable bags so there nice and flat and you can store heaps of different meals for 2 ready to go at any time. All red meat lasts longer then white and forget sea food all together. My seasonal traveling parents do this all the time. Mum spends a week cooking away and then have enough food for months. Dads got a spilt fridge so when they wake up its just a matter of choosing what they want and its goes from the freezer to the fridge and by dinnertime its defrosted. Forget chopping up the old vegies and roasting the meat, save that when your got a few days to relax. When your on the road on the way somewhere, you have to make it simple but healthy and tasty. Breakfast and lunch is easy, dinner can also be easy if you prepare weeks before. I hope this helps,

Zook.

[leachy_9]

Pomp,

As Zook suggest having pre-made frozen meals is a great way to go. After a long day on the road the last thing you feel like is preparing a meal from scratch.
We are hiring a second fridge (40L Engel) that will be used as a freezer for pre-made meals.

Leachy

[jeff s]

When we went across the country and back a 2 1/2 years back we only had 1 fridge, We cryovaced meat and cooked up each night. We also had an esky for fruit, drinks and stuff which we stocked up with ice every now and then.( only stuff that didnt need to be kept cold.)

This time, for the first time, we will have 2 fridges (1 fridge in the car & 1 freezer in the camper.) But also 5 people all eating adult sized meals.
I think we will still cryovac meat, freeze a few snags, and pack the pasta rice and vegies. Also might freeze a few spag bols.
Might pack a few big soups to warm up. Oh, almost forgot, Will also take the hotdog maker....

mmmmmmmmm hot dogs...

But with alice the day before and then the 3rd day, probably wont need to pack the whole kitchen. Yulara would have a supermarket wouldn't it? so with those stock up opportunities, it only leaves a max of 4 days as the longest to stock up for... I think?

Long life milk is the way to go as well, the milk in the tetra packs works well, you only need to refrigerate after opening it. The rest of the time it can sit in with your caned stuff.

[Chippy]

We're thinkin' sorta the same as you Jeff. Pre-prepared and packaged stuff for the trip over (and back).

Cheers
Chippy

[mav]

But with alice the day before and then the 3rd day, probably wont need to pack the whole kitchen. Yulara would have a supermarket wouldn't it?

Yes Alice is a major centre and has Woolies and Coles as well as many mini marts (IGA Stores), Ayers Rock has a small shopping area that has a supermarket and an ANZ bank. Plenty of ATMs available along the route as well.

[FlyNdrive]

Food has been a concern for me as I won't have my vehicle and normal setup, so I still have that undecided. I will have no means to cook it and will have no refrigeration.

-Ben

[mav]

Food has been a concern for me as I won't have my vehicle and normal setup, so I still have that undecided. I will have no means to cook it and will have no refrigeration.

-Ben

Oh Well, looks like raw turnips and carrots for you Ben. LOL You can always hunt for a nice roo for dinner, nothing like a good BBQ roo tail, yummy. Have you ever seen Bear Grylls shows that guy can make two week old entrails from a wilderbeast into a fascinating gourmet delight.

[FlyNdrive]

Food has been a concern for me as I won't have my vehicle and normal setup, so I still have that undecided. I will have no means to cook it and will have no refrigeration.

-Ben

Oh Well, looks like raw turnips and carrots for you Ben. LOL You can always hunt for a nice roo for dinner, nothing like a good BBQ roo tail, yummy. Have you ever seen Bear Grylls shows that guy can make two week old entrails from a wilderbeast into a fascinating gourmet delight.

I actually saw that one. There is another 'nature' show about bizarre foods. He traveled from Darwin down through The Red Center, and up to Cape York and ate everything from green ants, kangaroo, crocodile, camel, and even pulling a chunk off a termite mound for a snack.

I will stick with Vegemite sandwiches as a worst case scenario. I can bring stickers and off-road swag and trade them for food. Anyone firing up the barbie? I think Paul Hogan promised to slip another shrimp an the barbie for me or something like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2kzjxq0uuQ

-Ben

[jeff s]

But with alice the day before and then the 3rd day, probably wont need to pack the whole kitchen. Yulara would have a supermarket wouldn't it?

Yes Alice is a major centre and has Woolies and Coles as well as many mini marts (IGA Stores), Ayers Rock has a small shopping area that has a supermarket and an ANZ bank. Plenty of ATMs available along the route as well.

thanks for that info Mav.

Most people were probably quietly thinking about this, Now we know.

Cheers mate.

Jeff.

[ntpryce]

Plus there's always the local establishment to get a feed and a drink or two at (ie Ross River, Glen Helen, Yulara)

[jeff s]

Anyone firing up the barbie? I think Paul Hogan promised to slip another shrimp an the barbie for me or something like that.



-Ben

I think that could be arranged..

[FlyNdrive]

It looks like Godzilla vs. the (not so) Shrimp.

the commercial I posted above (from 1984) is probably my first recollection of Australia with the exception of the news of Dennis Connor losing the America's Cup in 1983. Paul hogan was practically a fad in the US. Women loved him and guys wanted to have a beer with him. That commercial sparked the interest of Americans and travel boomed 'down under'. The movie Crocodile Dundee was written based on the popularity of the series of commercials with him and even started fashion fads (crocodile skin & teeth banded hat) and added G'day & Mate to the American slang. It lasted for several years, but it was finally over when the sequel was made. It was officially over Yahoo Serious became your spokesperson, but picked up again when Steve Irwin showed up on the Discovery Channel. We all loved him and he changed the views of the environment on almost everyone; even those who didn't watch the show. He helped pass many US laws protecting endangered species and put such terms into the common vernacular for us. His Memorial service was the most watched show ever on the Discovery Channel.

Americans have always shown an interest in Australia, We are both red headed step children of England and have a lot of similarities and problems. We are both countries of many different people, races, and have similar indigenous people (and problems with).

I lived in San Diego durring 'The Cup' races in 1987, 1988, and 1992. There was a lot of friendly banter between us and especially with Perth. When we brought it back 'up above' it was probably the largest celebration the city ever saw. in 1992 my mom was dating a local business man who's daughter was dating a member of the crew on The Spirit of Australia. We spent some time with the crew and my interest in visiting Australia was sparked. I remember sitting in a bar and they wouldn't let me go untill I leaned Waltzing Matilda and sang the verses in order.

Going on this trip is fulfilling a lifelong dream of seeing one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Its probably on my top 3 along with Antarctica and the Galapagos Is.'s.

-Ben

[jeff s]

Ben,

your choking me up.

Thats the best reason to see australia I have ever heard..
We are "the lucky country" and its not untill its pointed out to us sometimes that we remember.

Steve Irwin was an annoying embarrasment.. untill you watched a few shows and realised he was genuine, Lovable, and all people could relate. From a farmer to the queen. He was/ is sorely missed, simply the greatest ambassodor the wildlife had, and his life has truly changed the world for the better. And being a fantastic aussie is just icing on the cake. 100% NOT an embarassment.....
I, as well as everyone else reading this, would have seen the service, and bindy reading her letter to dad.. simply beautiful.

I am glad you are coming to OZ and the GTG. I think you will be suitably awed by the experience. and can pass your experience among your family and friends.
For I know I will be awed by our great land.

So as a recent tourism add says.. "Where the bloody hell are ya"..

Love it.

Jeff.

[Chippy]

Top stuff Ben

You do realise though ..... that you will be required to sit around the campfire each night and sing WALTZING MATILDA, with all the verses in the right order

Its just UN-AUSTRALIAN for the troopers to arrive before the jumbuck gets nabbed
Think of it as a right of passage

..... and just to help out a little .....

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

....................

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

.....................

Up rode the squatter mounted on his thorough-bred
Down came the troopers One Two Three
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

......................

Up jumped the swagman sprang in to the billabong
You'll never catch me alive said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Cheers
Chippy

[MDS69]

Top stuff Ben

You do realise though ..... that you will be required to sit around the campfire each night and sing WALTZING MATILDA, with all the verses in the right order

Its just UN-AUSTRALIAN for the troopers to arrive before the jumbuck gets nabbed
Think of it as a right of passage

Cheers
Chippy

All whilst eating a vegemite sandwich

[mav]

Top stuff Ben

You do realise though ..... that you will be required to sit around the campfire each night and sing WALTZING MATILDA, with all the verses in the right order

Also it is an absolute must know answer that you know the name of the swagman in the song. Just for reference it is Andy.

[jeff s]

Top stuff Ben

You do realise though ..... that you will be required to sit around the campfire each night and sing WALTZING MATILDA, with all the verses in the right order

Also it is an absolute must know answer that you know the name of the swagman in the song. Just for reference it is Andy.

Andy is correct..

It says so in these lines from the song.

And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil
and
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong

But the silly buggers misspelt his name, Its not "And he"or "And his", its "Andy"......

he he.


Jeff.

[chester]

dont worry Ben there is one common across all australian campers we always take twice as much food and grog as we need

You will be right

[FlyNdrive]

dont worry Ben there is one common across all australian campers we always take twice as much food and grog as we need

You will be right

I will be passing out FJ Bruisers stickers for those helping me out.

I will also be passing through Duty Free.

The Best buying tip for duty free....Without taxes you can get the 18 yo. Scotch for the same price as the 12 yo. stuff.

I heard your in a drought, so I will drink it neat.

-Ben