Celebrity Camper: Jack Thompson

Article by · May 8, 2017 ·

Jack is Australia’s quintessential ‘good bloke’ actor – admired by men and women-alike, always relied upon to play the iconic laconic bush character in a way no other actor could.

He shot to international fame playing the defence lawyer in the acclaimed 1980film Breaker Morant. That saw him courted by Hollywood, he even landed a role in a Star Wars sequel.

Perhaps he’s not the most ‘world-famous’ Aussie movie star, but the fact he’s almost avoided becoming too ‘tall a poppy’ could be what makes him all the more endearing.

Jack Thompson is also not the sort of actor you can expect to see on the TV news preaching his views on the latest political cause, although he does quietly go about supporting many individual and community causes in his own quiet self-effacing way. He established the Jack Thompson Foundation to help indigenous Australians build housing.

Awarded and Order of Australia in 1986, he has many diverse ‘claims to fame’ from having been the first made nude centrefold in Cleo magazine, to serving as a ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ for the United Nations Health Organisation.

We caught up with the legend as he launched of a new book, ‘Saltwater People of the Fatal Shore’. Written by John Ogden, the book traces the history of Sydney’s southern coastal suburbs, with incredible photos and historic detail.

Jack loves exploring Australia and camping, however some of his favourite memories go back to his youth, growing up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

WHERE DID YOU GO FOR CAMPING HOLIDAYS WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?

Narrabeen Lakes…Northern beaches, Sydney.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO CAMP & WHY?

Deep Creek because there was a waterfall we could play under.

TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CAMPING MEMORIES

We used to row across Narrabeen Lake from Best’s boat shed at Narrabeen to Deep Creek.Occasionally we had to step out of the boat when it ran aground on a sandbank and push the boat into deeper water.

It was always a bit of a thrill to have to do this.

DO YOU HAVE CAMPING TIPS? MUST DO’S & DON’TS?

Simplicity is the key –
Do take the minimum to be very comfortable but not burdened with effort…i.e.
Don’t have to do too much “housework”

Do have tent floor that is water/damp proof…. always dig a trench around tent for run off….Don’t wait until it rains.

Do collect wood ASAP and put it under shelter. Ideally in three sizes -small for kindling, medium to get fire burning plus to cook and larger to sit back and enjoy.
Do have a comfortable bed…I like foam or a blow up mattress.

I always include….. a small safety first kit, torch, reading material and camera.

DO YOU STILL LIKE TO GET OUT & EXPLORE AUSTRALIA? TELL US WHAT’S ON YOUR CAMPING LOCATION LIST?

Yes and I intend to do more. Any National Park with beaches or river to camp by. I prefer the peace of isolated locations.

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About Time To Roam

Australia's premier magazine focused on the people and culture of caravanning and camping.


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