Death Valley Fun Camp 2017

Overview

Prepare to live out your Wet Hot American Summer dreams, Brisbanites — again. This dry warm Brissie autumn just got a whole lot better thanks to the eagerly awaited return of one of the best new events of 2016. Yes, Death Valley Fun Camp is rolling out another year of back-to-nature mayhem.

You don't just head to the picturesque Lake Moogerah, splash around, sing around the campfire, toast marshmallows and sleep under the stars at DVFC, although they're definitely on the agenda. From May 27 to 28, you also take a break from devices, status updates and technology in general during a weekend of crafts, food, drink, tunes, good ol' fashioned human connection and fun put together by Southside Tea Room, Death Valley and The Grates' duo John Paterson and Patience Hodgson.

Keen for ziplining, kayaking, swimming, archery, pom-pom making, fermentation workshops, badge making, rediscovering the lost of art letter writing and cooking up a storm on the open fire? You will be here. Or, tell ghost stories as the flames flicker, enjoy a set by the Top Shelf Wedding Band and belt out a song at live indie karaoke. Meals-wise, you'll feast on three squares cooked up by Lucky Egg's Jacob Knauth and grab a midnight snack at the on-site tuckshop. And when it comes to refreshing beverages, expect to down beer and cider from Young Henrys — plus a camp cocktail that features The Bucha of Byron's kombucha.

Tickets, which include accommodation, food, activities, a camp shirt and s'mores, go on sale at 9am on March 16. Get in quick: the first 25 are available for the early-bird price of $119 before the regular cost of $179 kicks in, and the first 100 folks to book get a bunk bed in a cabin, with everyone else pitching a tent. For an extra $79, all of your tipples will also be taken care of, and you'll even get a take-home enamel mug as a souvenir. Plus, you'll be helping a good cause, as profits from the food and drink will go to Kids Help Line.

Image: Alana Potts.