Through the looking glass.

This is part two of our dual Nullarbor crossing and camping trip. Part one began with a diesel spill and a gimpy tent.

After a few days of sleeping in gas fumes in a tent threatening imminent collapse, we conceded a new tent was in order. We'd need to drive to Adelaide to rescue our vacation. Coincidentally it was our anniversary, so we decided we'd make camp in a room with four walls.

Craig and I both started tapping away at our phones, looking at caravan park cabin prices. Most caravan parks in Australia offer discount cabin accommodation. For somewhere between eighty to a hundred dollars in low season, you can book our a six person bunkhouse for two people provided you bring your own linen. We never need that many beds, but often this is a much cheaper alternative than hotels.

It was during that search, that Craig and I discovered the miniature fifty-five dollar wonder of OzShacks.  We disposed of our gas-soaked tent, harvesting the useful bits and bobs, and quickly gathered the rest of our gear. We were bound for Big4 Port Willunga, south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

As this was a completely unplanned detour, I had no information or tourist books about the area. The journey took us on a small ferry, through wine country and to a great little organic restaurant in the town of Willunga before we made our way towards the coast.

I only giggled slightly as we passed the sign that read Maslin Beach : South Australia's First Unclad Beach.  Craig, where have you taken me?!

Given that we skinny-dipped within twenty minutes of first meeting, I suppose a nudist beach might have been anniversary appropriate. The air was fresh though, so we stayed rugged up and fully clad in the section of the beach for those who had yet to embrace nature's freedom. It's a shame the wind wasn't up though, because I couldn't help but snicker at the idea of Craig hitting the waves sporting nothing but a kiteboard harness.

Still dressed, we hopped back in the car and made our way a few kilometers down the road to the Big4 and our Alice in Wonderland bungalow. Big4 is Australia's largest caravan park chain. Over the years, they've bought up many of the local parks, tidied them up and added jumping pillows. The parks vary in their offerings, but we reckon these OzShacks are the best add yet.

For just a wee bit more than we would have paid for a powered campsite, we forted down in this a wooden quonset hut. Inside we had a double bed, some space to stretch, power and an esky. Outside there was a small deck with chairs and a table for two.

The locally-made OzShacks are relatively new to the cabin scene in Australia with placement in just three parks to date - Port Willunga and Kingston-on-Murray in South Australia, and Nanga Bay in Western Australia which is not far from Denham with the best jetty in the world. After a great night's sleep, we quietly made a pact to stay in all of the OzShacks when we could.  [OzShack, if you're reading - we'd love to be your travel ambassadors!]

For those who aren't keen to travel, you can buy your own OzShack backyard retreat too. Makes me wish we had a yard to set one down in. They are the perfect adult-size cubby.

The door was a bit tiny, but the space was just right...

Well-rested and well-fed with dinner at a vineyard in McLaren Vale, we ventured into Adelaide and begrudgingly bought our new tent. We did a quick test assembly, confirmed it worked and then boarded the train to Perth. Our holiday was now well and truly underway.

This is part 2 of our dual Nullabor Crossing and Camping Trip. Part 3 will look at rural Australia and the train ride.