12/1/2012 Photos The way I feel when I walk into Scout…read moreOutdoor Centre is probably the way famous New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary felt just before he became one of the first climbers known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest: "A few more whacks of the ice axe in the firm snow, and we stood on top." In other words, the longer I spent in this shop, the more I understood what tools were necessary. Yet, unlike Sir Hillary, I've only done rockclimbing once, and that was way back in high school. And that was only indoors, and I was terrified when I nearly reached the top. I need to conquer more of my life fears. So if I'm crazy enough to ever decide to try rockclimbing again, I have to make sure I come back to this store - I must purchase the necessary harness and specialised rockclimbing. I don't think I'm that great at rockclimbing, though that was only one attempt. I'm a bit older and stronger now, so maybe with the right coach, training, and a little bit more money, I might just succeed on my second try. My rockclimbing days are unfortunately on hold for the meantime... If my next girlfriend is an adventure addict, I might be in trouble LOL. If and only if that happens - I'm sprinting back here. Anyway, after walking around, I was really attracted to the $299 travel backpacks on the back wall. Seems a bit pricey for me and looks a bit heavy to carry, but the friendly saleslady highly recommended it for anyone that was going to travel overseas e.g, Europe. What I really loved most about this sales staff here is that they approach you and talk to you, and they told me before I left, "Travelling overseas to Europe is really easy. Just get your visa and go there. This is, hands down, the best store in Adelaide for rockclimbing gear. We have everything you need.". Looks like my next travels just wouldn't be complete without this cool new backpacks!

Having a scout in the family, I think I have to be a fan of this place - I mean, lets face it,…read moreotherwise I'd have to learn how to use a sewing machine and make her uniform from scratch, right?? Both kids tried cubs, so we came in and got all the gear they needed - then a trip back for blankets so they could go camp, and there was somewhere to put all the badges they started getting - only one make the jump into Scouts (we still have them both, we didn't lose one on a hike or anything, she just decided scouting wasn't her thing) but there was yet another trip in for a shiny new uniform, and a sleeping bag, too. In all our visits, we've found the staff to be very friendly, and extremely helpful. They even gave the girls a few badges to help their new blankets along, which won them friends for life :) Parking is my big bugbear here - and it's not their fault the city's a pain to park in. My recommendation is the Target u-park - sure, you have to pay, but it's worth it in the whole not having to circle the block whilst swearing never again thing.

Ray's Outdoors sells everything you could possibly imagine when it comes to outdoor equipment…read more They have camping gear, fishing gear, boating gear, lighting and power, furniture, BBQs, clothing, footwear and so much more. It's almost overwhelming walking into the store because there's just too much variety. Of course that's not a bad thing, but for someone who doesn't know there way around outdoor equipment it can definitely feel that way. Everything is discounted in store, and trust me there's plenty to choose from. So much stock! If you're after anything involving the outdoors, I would highly recommend visiting the outlet store of Ray's Outdoors. You won't regret it.

A great place for those who wanna stock up their camping and outdoor gear/equipment. Right smack in…read moreAdelaide CBD, so it's easily accessible by bus, taxi's or car ( plenty of indoor carpark options nearby to fill up the boot). If you've never been camping in an Australian outdoor, you best be stopping here and build up your camping gear. From tents, sleeping bags, foldable chairs to a rechargable handheld bug zapper! For someone who digs preloved shops, I found it very interesting to find ex Military products here- in good quality too. It'd be worth bringing your dad or male friend here and check out their collection. Perfect shop for the blokes to snap up some Rambo action.

Rarely do I have "hunting knife", "hand powered torch" or "billy can" on my shopping list…read more Ok...I'll admit it, I've never had those things on my shopping list. But my partner who I send out to bring down bores and catch fish for me every few months before a long winter does. Enter Aussie Disposals. From the outlook of the shop window, I have often walked into this place expecting to find an old war vet with one eye, a fishing hat and a slur ask me what I am looking for, but alas only receive the kind and civilized service of young camping enthusiasts and helpful staff. "Is this a good knife?" my partner would ask. "Well it is, but this other one can also cut your toe nails," the helpful shop assistant would answer. This place has amazing prices on everything you could ever need to go camping, prepare for a zombie apocalypse or travel overseas. I've bought a sleeping bag that lasted my adventures through the Sahara dessert at night and a backpack that I lived out of for 6 months travelling from here for a ridiculously good price. There are plenty of knick knacks, things with caribiners on them and bottles, containers etc for travelling also at bargain prices. The staff are also willing to negotiate on price if you buy up big. Overall, this is normally my partner and I's first "go to" place if he needs to hunt something down or I need to go travelling.

You name it - they've got it - outdoors wise anyway. Even had a giggle when I found an "outdoors…read moresex" book!!! And no, I didn't purchase it but had a good giggle.

so far I can not get to search 3x3 gazeboes and accessories…read more If it takes any longer i'll go else ware.

Being the only surf store on The Parade there isn't much more choice for similar shopping options,…read morethankfully you couldn't ask for much more! They have a very good range of surf style clothing, all the brands you'd expect. Th staff are very helpful also. I've bought a few things from here, my favourite winter coat included. Chris who owns the store, is particularly friendly. You can get your snowboard waxed if your heading off on a snow trip. If you are, I am filled with jealousy.

I really like the range of ladies fashion at the Snow and Surf company. Remember when it was cool…read moreto dress in Roxy, have a Roxy pencil case, own anything Billabong, etc? Well that phase was grown out of, but nevertheless, I can't disagree with the comfort and convenience of these styles. I still like buying summer dresses, tops and of course Havaianas from Snow n Surf. The quality is guaranteed as well. Other than fashion, Snow n Surf also sell bags, backpacks, bodyboards, dvds, accessories, footwear, swimwear, snow clothing, and much more.

So I'm going to Russia soon. Siberia, in fact. And as a Polish gentleman was nice enough to tell…read moreme, 'It iz going to be fucking cold, man!' I've been searching for some gear to keep my limbs from dropping off, but the pickings are slim in Australia. We don't have the climate for it. I've been turning to camping stores, but they haven't been of much help to me. S.A. Camping World has your usual motley of equipment, from thermoses, to gas cookers, to tents. I found some gloves to the rear (quaintly titled 'ugg gloves'), which I thought I'd find useful, but aside from that, there wasn't much in the ways of protection. And to be fair, perhaps I shouldn't have expected anything. This is a store suited to Australia's climate. And to that effect, it's very useful, and the prices very reasonable. The staff are nice and friendly, and layout of the store means everything's rather easy to locate.

A few years back I got the sweetest pair of Aviators here! I sat on them about 2 weeks later, i was…read moresad! Other than the odd pair of Top Gun shades (that apparently aren't arse proof), SA Camping is a pretty generic camping store. I have been in a few times (strangely enough for non-camping reasons) and have not really seen anything that you couldn't find at any number of camping stores around Adelaide that also have a larger selection. I tend to get all of my random looking shades online now (my current ones are small and blue and make me look like a German drug dealer), so I guess I may not be heading into the store for a while!

This is a tiny store and it's packed with stuff which makes it seem even smaller…read more With that being said they still have some good stuff here sometimes and if I can't be bothered going somewhere bigger like BCF I will just drop in here. They have some great clearance specials, especially on shoes if they happen to be in your size. Even when not on special though their hiking boots are pretty good. I have only purchased smaller items here, mainly camping items for when my partner and kids go away. Service has always been fine but then I have never needed much other than to pay for what I wanted to buy. At least the salesman just sits behind the counter and helps if you ask, not follows you around the store like a hawk as they do in some other stores.

Had to get a camping stretcher and luckily they were on special here. The staff are friendly and…read morehelpful. They had sold out of the one I wanted, so I was offered an alternative, which was fine. While this is a small store they stock quality items and often at a cheaper price than the bigger stores. It is well located in Colonnades and is well stocked.

14/12/2011 OMG - I want a KATHMAN"DU-RABLE" BOOT…read more My lust was developed quickly as soon as I walked in - I was singing like Jessica Simpson: "Those boots are made for walkin'...." I regained my self-control and came to realization that $289 is well over my price range...simply too expensive for a working class man like me. But here's the thing...the service attendant in Kathmandu takes his time with you. It's like a form of "welcome to the wonderful outdoors". And when the time comes when you are booked in for a holiday hiking, be ready to have the dough, as you will soon know when you look at the red price tag on another pair of boots: 239 DOLLARS. Are you kidding? Can something this good, this strong, this Kathman"du-rable" boot really be this expensive! But hang on, if you ask, you will be led to the "Kath-man-"do-not forget your" water bottle before your long hike, for a minimum of only $40 as well! It is in the back wall in the next room where you will find the real deals. The tall wall was a sight that left me in awe - from small backpacks to larger heavier backpacks to water bottles, I wanted to grab these $40 dollar backpacks off the rack (...which I did on my future second visit, bought one for my Dear Mum for Xmas!)! And if you give the service attendant a chance to warm up, he might start sharing his deeper love of the outdoors. Ummm...no complaints here! But listen walkers and professional hikers - this is not a cheap activity. All I'm saying is that after the exceptional service received after a long day of occasional rudeness, I walked out singing, "Those boots are made for walkin, and that's just what they'll do, one of these days these boots are gonna walk back into Kathmandu!"

I don't like Kathmandu. The staff seem inexperienced. The gear isn't well-made. It's the sort of…read moreplace people shop to by stuff to make them look outdoorsy. (You know the types I am referring to. They walk by, fully kitted out, with barely a mark on their boots.) If you want quality go across the road to Paddy Pallin, Scout Outdoor Centre or Annapurna--they're not as cheap as Kathmandu, but you pay for quality and experience.

So as the name suggests they sell all boating, camping and fishing related items and equipment. And…read moreI mean ALL - their stores are huge and this one even has two levels of stuff. When i went in the first time there was a canoe hanging from the ceiling and a sale display set up inside a tent. It's easy to get around the store and the staff at this branch have always been really helpful. They even have a gas refill area just outside the front of the store. They have a fantastic online shop and I prefer to find what I need, the store it is available at, or in stock at, and the price before I leave home. If I don't have a list when I go here I tend to get carried away so best to get in, grab what I came for and leave before I find a few extra bags in the car and $100 less in the bank account!

Went to the Gepps Cross store today. Will not return. Looking to bug 3 Sups. Young man at counter…read moreasked if he could help. I said was looking for assistance with Sups. He would call someone to assist. I headed to Sup display area and waited, and waited and waited! No one turned up. Two assistants standing at counter when I walked out door. Will not be back.

So we only recently got BCF stores in SA, even though they have been in QLD for some time now. And…read moreI must say it didn't take me long to become a fan. I used to go to the one at Richmond but having one open at Noarlunga now is even better. I tend to use their online store to find what I want. Plus I can check store availability online as well. Then I will go to the store knowing what I want and how much it should cost. Although I did do this one day and ended up browsing their entire camping section for about an hour and comeing home with about an extra $50 worth of stuff I hadn't planned on buying! This is why I need lists and direction people!!!! I've also managed to find some harder to find items here like massive crab and prawn cookers. Never had an issue getting the stuff I find online in a store of theirs either, which I prefer to go to an actual store anyway and have a receipt and somewhere to go back to. And in case you live under a rock BCF stands for Boating, Camping and Fishing. They have all realted merchandise and equipment for such activities, even down to the fishing bait you can buy from their store.

We were so impressed by the service we received when we went to BCF Noarlunga last week. We were…read more looking at camping fridges, in particular the Waeco brand. We were served by the manager Brendon, who could not have been more helpful. He did a terrific deal for us on an ex display fridge and got all the necessary bits together to get it up and running. He carried it out to our car to check it was working satisfactorily too before the purchase. No pressure at all. We were very happy, however when we did a little research at home, it turned out that particular fridge didn't meet all of the specifications we were originally looking for. We rather sheepishly returned to the store today to ask if it was possible to return the fridge (we hadn't used it) and again Brendon put us at ease ( we felt uncomfortable as he had looked after us so well and it was such a good price) and he happily refunded our money and let us know about lay buy options and special offer catalogues so we can eventually get the fridge of our choice. Fantastic customer service, friendly professional staff and an amazing store with everything you could ever imagine for boating camping and fishing needs! I highly recommend a visit to BCF Noarlunga.