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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Moto Mech on November 02, 2011, 07:04:00 PM

Title: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Moto Mech on November 02, 2011, 07:04:00 PM
After being given a OZtrail mitchell swag two years ago and then having my eldest son claim it before I even tried it out, I have finally bitten the bullet and purchased a replacement. Just purchased a Burke and Wills Redrock Coolabah swag, just gotta wait for it to arrive.
And thats the last thing needed for my next planned trip to the Simpson desert ;D
So, anyone got one? and do you like it.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Carlisle Rogers on November 02, 2011, 07:20:18 PM
After being given a OZtrail mitchell swag two years ago and then having my eldest son claim it before I even tried it out, I have finally bitten the bullet and purchased a replacement. Just purchased a Burke and Wills Redrock Coolabah swag, just gotta wait for it to arrive.
And thats the last thing needed for my next planned trip to the Simpson desert ;D
So, anyone got one? and do you like it.

I have a couple of Southern Cross swags and love them.
Carlisle
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: theflyingbadger on November 02, 2011, 07:39:35 PM
i've just come home from 6 nights in the Gascoyne (Gas Dash & Quobba fishing) in my coolabah. bloody fantastic swag, really comfy - can open up the roof and sleep looking at the stars....

Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: tambodaryl on November 02, 2011, 08:04:45 PM
recently went to the Birdsville races  in my coolabah (only complaint rats running over it in the middle of night keeping me awake), excellent swag, comfy.  You will be happy.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Barrabart on November 02, 2011, 08:21:37 PM
Yep we've had a Burke n Wills swag in our tribe for a few years now........ know bugger all about where they are made, bought it new off eBay........seems like pretty good canvas,tough looking zip, hasn't given any problems...... do yourself a favor though, go and spend a bit of extra dough and buy some "real" high density foam from a local foam rubber shop, i bought a full sheet of 2" foam think it cost around $250, but that was enough to make matresses for 3 swags........ i lay on my side and am 130kg, and i can sleep on that 2" foam withot gettin a dead shoulder etc, well worth it.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Snow on November 02, 2011, 09:26:09 PM
I love my B & W Coolabah. I have a 120mm foam mat and it is plush. I get my best nights snooze in it. :cup:
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: TOPNDR on November 03, 2011, 06:15:42 AM
........ And thats the last thing needed for my next planned trip to the Simpson desert ;D
So, anyone got one? and do you like it.

What's wrong with ya campa?
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Moto Mech on November 03, 2011, 06:20:50 AM
What's wrong with ya campa?
Its gunna be a "boys" trip, my misses isnt real keen on the desert so she aint comen >:D, so it will be my two boys and me.
And I have no problem towing my trailer across the Simpson(or taking trailers across) but next trip it gets a break.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Moto Mech on November 12, 2011, 10:40:28 AM
Purchased my swag from EBAY on a Friday, recieved it on the following Tuesday from Queensland, cant complain about that.
Set it up today and wet it down three times to condition the canvas. Fantastic quality, cant wait to use it.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b343/NIDOBY/IMG_1338.jpg)
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: D4D on November 12, 2011, 10:45:16 AM
Looks good, I have the green version.

The guys are always the cheapest.
http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-coolabah-swag-single-p-159.html
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Moto Mech on November 12, 2011, 11:16:01 AM
Looks good, I have the green version.

The guys are always the cheapest.
http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-coolabah-swag-single-p-159.html


Now you tell me :'(
I paid $360 with free delivery so only paid $30 more(GEC wanted $30 postage).
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: D4D on November 12, 2011, 11:27:53 AM
You didn't ask :)

Only $30 more so not too bad, could be worse you could have bought it from Anaconda for $500.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Black Diamond on November 12, 2011, 12:49:10 PM
Gee that's cheap  :cheers:
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: theflyingbadger on November 12, 2011, 08:30:13 PM
You didn't ask :)

Only $30 more so not too bad, could be worse you could have bought it from Anaconda for $500.

i got anaconda to price match :)

jeez, they were unhappy....
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Bird on November 13, 2011, 12:09:45 AM
i got anaconda to price match :)

jeez, they were unhappy....
mate of a mate did that with them down at bayswater... showed them a price on the interwebs.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: theflyingbadger on November 13, 2011, 12:13:36 AM
mate of a mate did that with them down at bayswater... showed them a price on the interwebs.

yeah, they tried to claim that

1. no match as it's not a retail store - well it is, plus there's nothing in their policy about needing to be bricks & mortar
2. then tried to claim the shipping as part of the cost - again, nothing in their policy about that one..

even better, it's not the anaconda nearest to me - so i don't need to go back again...
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: gurules on November 13, 2011, 03:56:14 PM
mate got one had it for 3 years bloody fantastic big but comfy and aussie made you wont go wrong well done :cheers:
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Pebble on November 14, 2011, 07:34:15 PM
We tried a double swag (no poles kind). Husband didn't like it because he couldn't move once in. See I'd love to have a swag but he would demand we sleep together and well he's the one that farts the most! Lol

Seriously though we're debating at the moment weather to get the kids a swag each (they're girl and boy age 7 & nearly 9). Or if we should get them a single pole tent like we have. I thought of the issue of them not wanting to sleep in a tent together as they get older, but hey brother and sister so I'm sure it would be part of the fun of camping. Lol no doubt we'd all be in the one tent on the quick overnighters anyway. That's what we did all of the last trip, kids on one side of the pole us on the other. Still didn't stop one of the kids rolling onto me during the night! Fun!

After reading "post your scariest swag moment" on 4wd Action forum (it was a general scary stuff while camping thread really) I started leaning more towards the tent (for the kids). Just seem safer in some ways. That and I'm thinking swags would be a bit of a pain in the rain? I know dear Husband would not be setting up tarps just to keep rain of the swags, kind of defeats the purpose of having a swag in the first place!
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Moto Mech on November 14, 2011, 07:40:57 PM
Re- the rain thing, thats what the roll out awning on the 4by is for ;D
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Pebble on December 22, 2011, 10:07:28 AM
Well I'm back here again...still looking at swags, a bit more seriously now. Looking at some of the prices on that website posted certainly worth getting one of the Burke & Wills models rather than going the cheap option of a OzTrail Mitchell for the kids.

But also looking at a double for us, mainly to contain all the bedding and because Hubby isn't a fan of those self inflating mattresses....big one is too bulky the hiking ones not comfy enough...yeah he's fussy.
I think the idea is to be able to roll the swag out in the tent with it's comfy mattress and all. The kids could hopefully also still fit in there in really nasty weather if necessary (their swags in the tent ...not in the swag with us lol). Best of all it gets all the sleeping gear out of the car and onto the roof rack. I must say though I'm hoping if DH is happy enough with the room in whatever swag we buy we might just swag it and not even worry about setting up the tent!

Ahhh now the hard choice is which style is best!
Thinking this one might be suitable for us.......I'm guessing it's a good design to be able to just roll out, unzip all the way and sleep on in the tent with?
http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-burke-wills-redgum-swag-double-p-403.html (http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-burke-wills-redgum-swag-double-p-403.html)
Actually the local price on that one isn't too bad, maybe we'll just have to go for a look see!
http://www.bunburyarmysurplus.com.au/products_4.asp?prodID=557&catID=187 (http://www.bunburyarmysurplus.com.au/products_4.asp?prodID=557&catID=187)

Not sure if it's worth paying more to get the same thing for the kids each
http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-burke-wills-redgum-swag-single-p-160.html (http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-burke-wills-redgum-swag-single-p-160.html)
Or weather just to get them a Warratah or Coolabah! Warratah is the same price, just doesn't have a middle hoop.
http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-burke-wills-waratah-swag-single-p-158.html (http://www.greatescapecamping.com.au/burke-wills-burke-wills-waratah-swag-single-p-158.html)
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: stepheng on December 22, 2011, 01:43:54 PM
Pebble, my whole family have swags (kids - 7,5,3). My eldest went from a cot to a swag and only recently agreed to a bed. The great thing I found with the kids having swags, was that they would go anywere and they would sleep. If they were at their grandparents, friends, or camping they would go to sleep as they were used to the swag and they would keep all their crap in them and roll them up. We went to Cent Aust last year and they had no problems just sleeping in their swag under the stars.

I see people are paying a lot of money for them. I get mine shipped from Alice Springs and for a single including shipping they are about $200. They are just a standard swag, ie no poles or covers etc. The do them in singles, motorbikes, doubles and queens and in different colors. My daughter got a purple delux single swag (has a heavier matress) and I reckon that was only about $220 shipped to melbourne.

I think the company is Alice Springs Canvas Co. I bought my first one from them over 20 years ago and still got it.

Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: stepheng on December 22, 2011, 01:46:53 PM
Sorry I think it was actually Centre Canvas...Can get the phone number if interested, just PM me
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: SUPA105 on December 23, 2011, 05:59:08 PM
Just paid $369 delivered for a B & W Coolabah with freight & canvas swag bag included from outdoors online......

Seams a great swag


Cheers
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Pebble on January 05, 2012, 04:13:22 PM
We were buying 3 swags so ended up getting a bit of a discount, paid $340 each for the Burke & Wills Coolabah for the kids, and brought a Burke & Wills Redgum double for ourselves.

Picture is the kids swags before the first watering, didn't look like they leaked but I'll repeat the process a few times anyway.

The kids are certainly lucky little buggers,  and I hope the swags become one of their most prized possessions when they eventually leave home....although there is plenty of time for plenty of use in the meantime!  The girl is 7 and the boy about to turn 9 shortly. Certainly look forward to the next camping trip, but we just might be tempted to test them out at home I reckon!

(http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp253/mtbpebble/IMG_3270.jpg)
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: cewilson on January 05, 2012, 10:06:42 PM
They are a great swag.  I brought one for my eldest when he turned 9.  The second one is about to turn 9 next month so he'll be getting one then.  Best thing about them is they look after their own bed - unroll it, roll it up etc.  All I have to do for them is strap it down on the roof rack and get it down when I arrive.

I have the same though - it's one birthday present that they will have for life.



Cheers
Chris
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: jeeps on January 06, 2012, 12:48:58 PM
I've thought about getting a swag but the thought of bugs and snakes and spiders and rodents crawling on me leans me towards something like a tent cot...
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: singo-26 on January 06, 2012, 03:32:12 PM
I've thought about getting a swag but the thought of bugs and snakes and spiders and rodents crawling on me leans me towards something like a tent cot...

Had you thought of the idea of laying a swag on a stretcher. To me it's more comfortable than a swag on the ground, you get a similar thing to the tentcot, But you still have just a swag to use on the ground or in the car.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: landyowner on January 06, 2012, 03:40:24 PM
I too have the Burke and Wills Coolabah swag, mine is in purple (just to be different!)

I bought i 2 years ago and used it for 10 days straight in the Simpson and the Flinders Ranges in July 2010. It was brilliant then, and I still use it regaularly, normally if I am going overnight on my own with the boys. I love it and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is after a decent quality, well mad and comfortable swag.

I bought mine in Melbourne and price matched mine against Anaconda, they were not real happy to do it at my local store (Geelong Anaconda), giving me all sorts of B******t excuses.

 Anaconda at DFO in Docklands did honour the price match though.

Col.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Pebble on January 06, 2012, 03:53:55 PM
My youngest is still not 100% out of the bed-wetting stage, well pretty much is but it still happens on occasion and not really predictable, so what I've done is purchased PVC matress protectors for both. But today, still watering all the swags in I got an idea, I think I might get another PVC matress protector (they were suprisingly cheap at Kmart...about $6! the one for their beds cost me about $25 from Clark Rubber...probalby because it had Terry Towelling type stuff on top as well)...so what I was thinking is one on the bottom of the mattress and one on top, this would mean if the bottom (we have canvas bottom models) got wet then the matress would still stay dry! I reckon if we can find a double I'll put a PVC matress protector on our swag as well, I can just see the benefit of the breathability of canvas yet still have mattress protection from the pvc!
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Pebble on January 06, 2012, 04:01:28 PM
I too have the Burke and Wills Coolabah swag, mine is in purple (just to be different!)

I bought i 2 years ago and used it for 10 days straight in the Simpson and the Flinders Ranges in July 2010. It was brilliant then, and I still use it regaularly, normally if I am going overnight on my own with the boys. I love it and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is after a decent quality, well mad and comfortable swag.

I bought mine in Melbourne and price matched mine against Anaconda, they were not real happy to do it at my local store (Geelong Anaconda), giving me all sorts of B******t excuses.

 Anaconda at DFO in Docklands did honour the price match though.

Col.

I don't know if one is a newer model than the other, the purple Coolabah we brought, with the mesh at the head end it has 2 zips up the sides and velcro on the bottom. The green Coolabah has a full zip on the mesh. I'm just curious about yours, although I still won't know if it's just a purple thing or a newer model thing!
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: theflyingbadger on January 06, 2012, 08:19:09 PM
I don't know if one is a newer model than the other, the purple Coolabah we brought, with the mesh at the head end it has 2 zips up the sides and velcro on the bottom. The green Coolabah has a full zip on the mesh. I'm just curious about yours, although I still won't know if it's just a purple thing or a newer model thing!

presuming you're talking about the "front", rather than the "top"

my green one (about 9m old) also has 2 zips on the verticals and then about an inch of velcro on the "bottom"
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: landyowner on January 06, 2012, 08:40:18 PM
presuming you're talking about the "front", rather than the "top"

my green one (about 9m old) also has 2 zips on the verticals and then about an inch of velcro on the "bottom"

From memory my Swag has a zip all around the mesh on the top section and then the canvas over the top velcros down.

The section at the front of the swag is velcroed on the canvas and I think the mesh is zipped.

Not 100% without getting the swag out and checking it as I don't really use the front section.

Col.
Title: Re: Burke and Wills Swag
Post by: Pebble on January 08, 2012, 11:31:06 PM
presuming you're talking about the "front", rather than the "top"

my green one (about 9m old) also has 2 zips on the verticals and then about an inch of velcro on the "bottom"

Yes that's the bit I was talking about, the front mesh having the two zips and then the velcro down the bottom, only the purple one has the two zips plus velcro, our double and the sons single are full zipped for the head entry mesh anyway.
The head end canvas flap velcros down on all of them.
The purple swag also came with a nylon kind of pouch for the pegs rather than canvas like the other too.
Just minor differences I noticed, I don't think it really makes much difference....well it might if the insect screen at the head end on ours had velcro at the bottom because night time toilet visits are noisy enough with undoing a zip let alone velcro lol! That kind of stuff doesn't matter if you're sleeping by yourself though!

Landyowner  with ours I think the top canvas is zipped except at the head end might be some velcro, again at least the screen is fully zipped for those middle of the night expeditions!