16/01/2023
🚨 Safety Message 🚨
(Warning: long post)
This is why it's so important to follow our directions when camping at Woodleigh - it’s for your own safety!
- Camp wherever we direct you to - even if that means staying in the common area.
- Don't camp right on the waters' edge; it might be dry at your campsite, but rain from upstream can quickly become a flash flood.
- Notify us as soon as you leave your campsite - even in the middle of the night - so we know you're safe and don’t put ourselves in danger trying to reach you.
Story:
A few nights ago some campers arrived. As it was dark and raining, we told them to stay the night in the common area, and we’d direct them to their site in the morning.
At midnight we got a phone call. The campers had driven off to find their own undesignated site, got bogged, and set up camp in the riverbed. And had woken up surrounded by water 😳
Thankfully the campers were safe on higher ground when Kate, Pete and Sam arrived. But with the car bonnet just sticking out of the water and the river still rising, they couldn't tow it out. It was gone.
Pete and Sam then spent the rest of the night driving to all sites to check on campers’ safety. As you know many sites have limited or no phone reception so calling wasn't an option. A number of campers had already left without notifying us, which took up precious time Pete and Sam could've spent checking on others, while also putting them at greater risk travelling in dangerous conditions. They didn't get home until after 6am.
We are so thankful that everyone is safe and no injuries occurred. But we ask everyone again to please follow our instructions - there is a method to our madness. Stay safe 🧡
* photos were taken after the river had gone down and risen again a day later*
