Oxford Street to camp it up
Long known for being a home for camp, Oxford Street could be set to become a camp destination in all other senses of the word with a pop-up indoor camping site and forest to be open for the next three weeks.
If you’ve ever strolled down the gay mile harbouring thoughts of toasting a marshmallow while singing campfire classics, the month of August may be your chance to turn such “outback in the city” fantasies into reality.
Tagged as a ‘Random forest adventure in a Shop’, the Oxford Street National Park at 118 Oxford Street will be available to hire for two people at a time for one night stays for $80.
The camping site includes one large dome tent, a double bed with clean sheets and a sleeping bag, as well as a gas stove, gas BBQ and esky. A radio with iPod/iPhone connectivity and WiFi connection will also be available.
There’s also a two metre trail walk to a picnic ground overlooking Oxford Street.
Guests for the night will also be supplied with a one litre water bottle, a bottle of red wine, and a chocolate bar.
The idea is an initiative of the Under New Management collective, which is leasing the shop at 118 Oxford Street for six months under the City of Sydney’s Cultural and Creative Spaces program.
The team’s previous project at the site was the well received Le Tour Lounge cafe which was opened to time with this year’s Tour de France bicycle race in July.
Josh Capelin, from Under New Management, said there were only a few house rules which guests needed to respect to have a good time at the camping site.
“We need you to be care-takers of the space, and I will only be approving awesome people with the right approach to this fun opportunity to camp on Oxford St.
“You will be highly visible and will need to exercise caution in the use of the space,” he said.
“No smoking inside, no letting crazies in, no damage to the trees or the items made available for your use.”
The unique idea also has the backing of local businesses.
Lawrence Gibbons, president of the 2010 Business Partnership, told SX he thought it was a “fantastic” idea.
“Oxford Street is the perfect place to camp it up. The 2010 Darlinghurst and Surry Hills Business Partnership supports the use of vacant city owned buildings for innovative pop up businesses. Empty shop fronts help no one: they depress the real estate market and create an unattractive Main Street,” he said.
“The Oxford Street National Park initiative transforms a once empty retail space into accommodation for visitors, who in turn will spend time and money in the Oxford Street precinct. We can hardly wait to see what pops up next along Oxford Street!”
For more information or to rent the Oxford Street National Park camping site, visit https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/631925
- Tags: 2010 Business Partnership, Camping, City of Sydney, Event, Josh Capelin, Lawrence Gibbons, Oxford Street Cultural Quarter, Oxford Street National Park, Pop-Up, SX, Under New Management
Comments (4)
There's a saying in the great Australian outdoors (Western Queensland).
Don't pick up a stick to stir your billy tea because someone may have used it instead of paper.
As for Oxford Street, much of it was sleezy, intimidating and threatening. An underground something that we have been forced to endure for too long as 2nd class citizens.
Most of the tough looking guy's encountered there wanted to talk about recipies all night.
As a member of the online community Gay Camping NSW, I love this initiative which turns an empty and unattractive space into a colourful and creative promotion for camping and exploring the beautiful Australian outdoors. In addition to all that Oxford Street offers, there is so many amazing experiences waiting for us beyond the city's walls. Congratulations for reminding us about that! :)
I've spent a few nights "camping" at the local sauna!
Desperate times needs desperate ideas.
I certainly would nit waste my time camping in Oxford street.
My money could go to well deserved organisations or charities than waste it on a night camping in Oxford street