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Lucy’s chocolate puddings

Our friend Lucy makes double quantities of these, freezes them and then has a great sweet treat on hand for any occasion. They are, without doubt, the softest, most chocolatey puddings you’ll ever have. – Suzanna & Kate Gibbs ... read more

RACQ HEADLINES RACQ sponsors litter prevention award
RACQ HEADLINES Milestone marques make MotorFest a must
RACQ HEADLINES RACQ rounds up old batteries
RACQ HEADLINES Cheap Wednesday not cheap enough
RACQ HEADLINES Fuel prices and road safety top concerns
RACQ HEADLINES RACQ backs child restraint reforms
RACQ HEADLINES Stressed drivers at greater risk on roads
RACQ HEADLINES Attend to salt-water damage quickly, warns RACQ
RACQ HEADLINES Hamilton teenager wins new set of wheels
RACQ HEADLINES RACQ campaign highlights danger of children locked in cars

Latest Articles
Popular Articles

How to conserve energy on long hikes
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When you are long-distance hiking it can be easy to fall into the trap of over-exerting yourself by pushing to reach set target locations, and beat the clock.

To allow your body to keep up with often vigorous nature of hiking (rough terrain on your ankles, hot climates, and heavy packs), it is essential to take steps to conserve your energy and allow your body to rest.

These strategies can help you increase your hiking efficiency, and you will hopefully enjoy your hiking trips more, by taking a more relaxed approach.

• Take regular short breaks, rather than longer pit stops.
• Constantly drink water to hydrate your body. If you only sip your water bottle when you’re thirsty, then your body is most likely already dehydrated.
• Eat high-energy snacks to boost your energy and keep your blood-sugar level steady, rather than briefly boosted by high sugar content snacks.
• On any hike, whether you’re planning on covering a short or long distance, it is very important to conserve the energy of all people involved, and travel at the pace of the slowest hiker.

How to avoid seasickness
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Seasickness is categorised by a feeling of nausea, dizziness and generally feeling queasy whilst onboard a moving vessel.

It is caused by the body’s inner-ear balance system reacting adversely to the motion of the boat. If you suffer from seasickness, it can deter you from water-based activities such as sailing, recreational boating and even water-based transport such as ferries or barges. You can try to take charge of your seasickness with these few handy preventative tips.

• Stay above deck, and stand in fresh air rather than a stuffy cabin.
• Concentrate on taking deep, full breaths.
• Don’t feel embarrassed to inform your fellow boating travellers that you feel unwell. Once they are aware of this they will hopefully understand if you don’t feel like chatting.
• Ginger products may help ease and prevent an upset stomach.
• Whilst over-the-counter medication is available for seasickness prevention, it is advisable to talk through the possible side effects, such as drowsiness, with your pharmacist.

Picking the right tent
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While choosing a tent is a personal choice, one thing many of us have in common is that we generally sleep more soundly if our tent suits our camping environment.

When choosing your new tent, it can help to make a list of the five most important factors that influence your camping trip’s success. Here are some ideas to look out for when choosing the ideal tent for your lifestyle.

• If the majority of your camping trips occur in Queensland’s summer months, then allowing airflow and breathability is the most essential element to look for in a new tent.
• If your tent is easy and stress-free to put up, then you and your fellow campers may be more inclined to go camping more often.
• Will your new tent be your primary cooking area? If so, look for tent with a large annex adjoining the sleeping quarters, to allow for storage of your eskies and supplies.
• A tent is an investment, so look for quality-made, durable products that could last a lifetime.

Photo courtesy of The Coleman Company, Inc.

Picking the right thermal underwear
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Before you embark on a cold-climate getaway, it is wise to stock up on your winter woollies.

One of the first, and most important, places to start is with your thermal underwear – an essential part of keeping your temperature regular and your body warm. It is vital to keep your core healthy and warm by investing in good-quality, breathable thermals. When choosing your thermal underwear, try to find long tops that can be easily tucked in, ensuring that your kidneys are warm. Make sure you try your thermal pants on, prior to purchasing, to ensure the waistband is comfortable to wear during the day and night. You can talk to your local adventure or camping store to determine whether you should wear long-sleeve thermals, or a singlet version. The Icebreaker range is machine-washable and comes in an assortment of sustainable, natural Merino wool from New Zealand.

What to do if you are lost in the bush
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The Australian bush is a stunning part of the world’s natural playground.

Whilst we are lucky to have beautiful bushland virtually in our backyard, it is essential to take measures to protect our safety while bushwalking. In addition to always informing friends and family exactly where and when you are planning to bushwalk, always inform your local ranger or parks and wildlife service. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being lost in the bush, here are some basic survival tips.

• Conserve your water. Always carry excess water supply when bushwalking and, if you are lost, ration your drinking.

• As soon as you realise you are lost, stop walking. Conserve your energy and remain in one place. Start to create a safe place to rest.
• Try to aid search parties by lighting a fire (always include a lighter or matches in your hiking pack). Increase smoke to attract attention by adding green leaves once your fire has started. Try to keep the fire as contained as possible to avoid causing damage to the surrounding bushland.
• To prevent dehydration, avoid excessive movement, and try to find a shady place to rest during the day, and keep yourself warm with leafy foliage overnight.

Different fishing baits explained
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Before you set off on a fishing trip or outing, it is advisable to stock up your fishing tackle box, to ensure the best possible catch of the day.

Different species of fish are attracted to different types of fishing bait. A fish’s preference depends on its size, physiology, and preferred water temperature. It is essential to tailor your choice of bait depending on whether you’re fishing in salt or freshwater conditions.

• Tempt seawater fish with marine prawns. If you’re hoping to lure in bream, whiting, marine perch or flathead, you could purchase prawn bait from your local bait shop.
• Reef fish, such as cod, snapper and wrasse, tend to go for crabs as bait.
• If you’re looking for bigger fish to fry, then try whole pilchards or whitebait.
• Try live worms when fishing in freshwater, particularly for trout. Worms are inexpensive and readily available.

Skill

Try your hand at mini golf Many Queenslanders are passionate about golf, but find it hard ... Read More

Help

What to do with an injured fruit bat Queensland is home to a vast number of fruit bat species and one day you might come across an injured fruit bat on your street, across a power line or caught in a fence or tree ... Read More