>> rural Dry season is camping time THE dry season is not far away and with two long weekends coming up Katherine campers are gearing up to em- bark on their first camping trips for the year. Camping with the family or a group of special friends can be a great bond- ing experience to create lifetime memo- ries. To make sure those memories are un- forgettable for the right reasons (and not because the tent pegs were left at home) BIG4 Katherine Holiday Park has col- lected easy camping rules. Make a list, check it twice There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination, only to find that you’ve left something behind. Chances are it will be a crucial com- ponent of your trip like tent pegs or torches too. Prepare a list of camping essentials to make sure everything is packed. Sticking to the list will also mean you don’t over pack and end up digging through a bag at midnight searching for your toothbrush. Do you really need to pack that hair straightener? Strike it off the list. Research activities before you go If you are heading to a destination for the first time, research the area and local attractions before you leave. If you are travelling with the family, get your children involved with the plan- ning and pick out some attractions you can enjoy together. If you single out destinations you want to visit, you can save time trawling through brochures when you arrive at your destination. When booking tours, make sure you book through a tour company with pos- itive reviews and book well in advance to avoid disappointment. The last thing you want to do is turn up and be denied entry because you don’t have a booking. Set up your campsite in daylight Setting up your tent and camp site can be a breeze or turn into a nightmare, so it’s best to tackle it in daylight to avoid anyone getting frazzled and cranky. Tents can be tricky enough on their own so make it easy on yourself by put- ting yours up in full light. If you’re not a traditional camper at heart, book a cabin where you’ll enjoy a comfy bed, your own bathroom and the luxury of air-conditioning. Plan for a change in weather Swimming, canoeing, fishing ... the list of holiday activities goes on, but it can get infinitely smaller if rain clouds roll in or if temperatures suddenly plum- met during the dry season. In case the rain comes back in the next few weeks - pack some board games and toys to keep the little ones entertained. Older kids might enjoy brain teaser game books, crossword puzzles, sketch books or card games. Many BIG4 Holiday Parks host kids clubs throughout the school holidays with craft activities, cooking classes, movie nights and more. Keep food simple When you’re enjoying time with family and friends in a beautiful holiday destination, the last thing you want to do is spend time aimlessly wandering su- permarket aisles wondering what to cook. Make sure you can create fulfilling, healthy meals for the duration of your trip by creating a meal plan before you leave home. It is nice to eat out occasionally while holidaying, but it can get expensive when travelling as a family, so cooking your own meals will save budget for fun holiday activities. BIG4 have created a book full of quick and healthy camping recipes to tackle this challenge. Visit www.big4.com.au to download a copy of the camping cook book in time for the Easter break. www.katherinetimes.com.au KATHERINE TIMES, WEDNESDAY APRIL 16 2014 11 Chinese iron ore port to unload cattle ONE of China’s biggest iron ore ports could soon be unloading cattle from Western Australia, marking a symbolic shift in the trading relationship away from a reliance on mining toward more in- vestment in agriculture. WA exporters signed an agreement with Chi- nese companies from the eastern province of Zhejiang last Wednes- day to begin trial ship- ments of cattle to China. The timing of the shipments will depend on China’s introduction of an official animal health protocol but WA Premier Colin Barnett, who travelled to Hangzhou last week to meet with provincial government officials, believes they could start within 12 months. If successful, it is ex- pected demand from China could quickly reach 100,000 head a year, worth roughly $200 million, making it the second biggest mar- ket after Indonesia. The new demand would boost the value of graz- ing land and lead to more investment in big- ger cattle herds. Mr Barnett believes that if the transportation, infrastructure and quar- antine issues are worked through during the trial, China could become "an even bigger market" than Indonesia. “I think it’s going to be a huge, long-term se- cure market for Aus- tralian beef,” Mr Barnett said. The WA Premier joined Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s delega- tion to China, together with his state and terri- tory counterparts, on Friday. In a further sign of the shift from mining to agriculture, Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest has re- portedly teamed up with Elders to explore oppor- tunities in cattle exports. WA has been at the forefront of forging closer agricultural ties with China, including the $700 million expan- sion of the Ord River ir- rigation scheme, which is being developed by a private Shanghai-based company. Mr Barnett, who is on his third visit to China in 10 months, met with Zhongfu Group this week and said the project was “charging ahead”. The Katherine region offers a broad range of fantastic get-aways for the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends. From Kakadu National Park to Timber Creek, and from Pine Creek to Mataranka and Bor- roloola - the Katherine region is the place to be for campers. When out bush, remember to only swim in des- ignated swimming areas and water holes and be crocwise. Prior to your trip check road conditions online at www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport.