If you haven't ever owned a "swag", you are never going to miss it but it may be time to consider this sturdy and clever companion. A swag is a sturdy, lightweight roll-up mattress with a zip-up camouflage canvas that can be thrown on the back of a ute, in the back of a car, and in the luggage section of a bus. Some have flaps for wind shelter; some are waterproof, and some have rope holes for securing to your tent, your car or a tree. The mattress needs an easy to wash cotton cover and many travellers will fit a summer-weight sleeping bag inside as well, but this is not essential. When the weather is a bit wild and wet, small roll-up ground-covers can be bought for about $10 at most large low-priced department stores, to place underneath. They are more expensive than a simple sleeping bag but are a life saving investment when camping on someone's floor, sharing a room or "roughing it" outside. Seasoned Australian travellers have been known to have custom - built double swags for the back of their utilities and use them year-round. Most Australian camping shops will stock them but if you are in Perth, the Army Surplus store has a good range and will usually have a few in both khaki and black canvas.
Swags are not just for campers…I have used mine when I have stayed over at friend's places when I've known that they are going to have large gatherings. They can be used on top of a linenless single bed and when you'll want a few hours sleep before driving home at dawn. One New Year's Eve, it fitted easily into a small borrowed tent and I was able to sleep outdoors next to a stream instead of in the cab of my small truck. It means one less bed or stretcher that the host has to worry about and it's yours. In summer, sleeping outside on the back of my ute in a sheltered spot on someone's block can only be described as blissful.
If you can afford it, go for a heavy duty, high quality swag. Prices can be as high as A$600. When you are not using it, your swag can be left rolled up and used to sit on. It will be a place to rest your head when you are sick of the heat and you are sick of the flies.
Swags are not just for campers…I have used mine when I have stayed over at friend's places when I've known that they are going to have large gatherings. They can be used on top of a linenless single bed and when you'll want a few hours sleep before driving home at dawn. One New Year's Eve, it fitted easily into a small borrowed tent and I was able to sleep outdoors next to a stream instead of in the cab of my small truck. It means one less bed or stretcher that the host has to worry about and it's yours. In summer, sleeping outside on the back of my ute in a sheltered spot on someone's block can only be described as blissful.
If you can afford it, go for a heavy duty, high quality swag. Prices can be as high as A$600. When you are not using it, your swag can be left rolled up and used to sit on. It will be a place to rest your head when you are sick of the heat and you are sick of the flies.
