What’s In a Name?

Sometimes known as bush bread, damper is an unleavened (that means yeast-free!) bread that was noshed by Australian bushmen and explorers of yesteryear as they rambled through the Outback. Some say it got its name because it would “dampen” the appetite. Others claim the origins come from the way the way a Sydney baker “damped” his fire with ashes to preserve the coals for morning baking. Wherever the name came from, the recipe has lasted the test of time—it’s considered an Australian staple.

No Pan, No Problem

Think of this simple bread as the convenience food of the 1800s (way before 7-11 opened up). All it required was “good” flour, salt, and water or milk. It could be prepared anywhere easily, since the first two ingredients were easy to carry, and cooked quickly due to its thin disk shape.

After the dough was shaped, sometimes in a pan or on a sheepskin, it was buried and baked in the red hot coals of a fire. (Some say the explorers learned this baking technique from Australia’s Aboriginal population!) Then it was dug up, cut up, and served with dried or cooked meat, or sometimes golden syrup for a treat.

Bake It ‘Til You Make It

Sure, this all sounds appealing for someone who lived in the PAST, but didn’t they eat this stuff before the invention of flavour? And easiness? Fear not, modern camper/baker. You can impress your friends and campsite guests with a tasty modern version of this classic. Follow our instructions and you’ll be noshing delicious, fresh baked bread around the campfire in no time.

Easy Campfire Damper Bread
Makes 1 Loaf
Adapted from Adventure Dining Guide

2 1/2 cups flour
5 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1-2 tbsp. butter
1 cup water (or milk)
2 big sheets aluminium foil

1. Get your fire going and make sure it’s got plenty of hot coals at the base.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking to combine. Stack the sheets of aluminium foil and lightly dust with flour.
3. Melt butter over the fire in a pot. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients in the bowl and add water(or milk) and butter.
4. Mix and knead the ingredients together until the dough is smooth and springy to the touch, approximately 7-9 minutes. (If too sticky, dust with a little more flour.)
5. Shape the dough into a disk about 1-2 inches thick. Seal inside foil, and place in the hot coals, burying it well.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Carefully remove the damper from the fire and check on it. It’s ready if it’s golden brown, and sounds hollow when tapped.
7. If it sounds unbaked, carefully wrap it up again, re-bury in coals, and bake for 5-10 more minutes. (Make sure the middle is cooked by breaking off a or using a knife to check the middle!)
8. Remove from fire and let cool for a few minutes. (Outback knowledge suggests storing damper on its side to keep it fresh and crispy!) Cut up and serve with butter, vegemite, or whatever toppings you heart desires!

The post Damper: How to Bake Bread From Scratch in the Bush appeared first on Leading Out.

We’re giving you the insider track on vacation destinations and little-known locales in Oz—all based on our personal experiences and those of our friends across the country! Forget the Sydney Opera House or Great Barrier Reef (both amazing, of course), and get up close and personal with the REAL unseen beauty of Australia. Travel guides can only dream of this kind of insider info!

In part one we snorkelled with whale sharks, tanned beachside with some kangaroos, and took a sunrise hike through the Olgas. This week, we’re dropping even MORE knowledge, so make yourself a flat white, sit back, and read on to discover your future favourite travel destination and/or totally life-changing experience. You won’t regret it!

7. Witness Alternative Culture in Nimbin

Sometimes it’s better to just sit back and take it all in, rather than rush from place to place. This laid back philosophy will probably be the feeling you get from the villages of Nimbin, just 70km west of Byron Bay. While the counterculture of these hippie towns is illegal, they thrive and remain undisturbed by the outside world. Nimbin is widely-known as Australia’s “alternative lifestyle capital.”

Although it might seem more like a social experiment, it’s worth a day’s visit! We recommend camping at Granny’s Farm and taking a tour through the local-made museum. There are also a few beautiful hikes in the area, if that tickles your fancy. Whether you want to BE a hippie for the day or just stare at them, Nimbin is a stop you can’t miss.

When To Go
Anytime

Location
Nimbin, Northern Rivers, New South Wales

8. Wet Your Whistle at an Authentic Historic Outback Pub

The desert is dry—why suffer when there are local watering holes just off the main highway? The Larrimah and Daly Waters are two must-stop pubs in the Northern Territory! Larrimah Pub not only cracks a VB or XXXX Gold for you, they also have an array of local wildlife wandering around the property. Hand-feed kangaroos or check out venomous snakes (in tanks) while sipping your favourite brew.

On the other hand, Daly Waters Pub—established in 1930—provides amazing service, excellent food, and really funky décor (we found Canadian Tire money decorating the walls). Despite that small piece of Canada, we guarantee you’ll feel out of place in the best way possible!

When To Go
Anytime

Location
Stuart Highway, Larrimah, Northern Territory
Stuart Highway, Daly Waters, Northern Territory

9. Catch Crabs—for Lunch—at Port Parham

If you’re looking for a quick bite, this is the place to do it—just make sure your lunch doesn’t bite you first! Wade out here at low tide, and wear your shoes or rubber boots, as the Blue Swimmer crabs love nibbling at your toes. Walk out about 200 meters with a rake to search for these tricky little guys. With a little bit of patience, and some friendly local advice, you’ll be able to feed everyone in your entourage in no time!

P.S. Camp for free here!

When To Go
Anytime; go at low tide and check for size and limit regulations

Location
Port Parham, South Australia

10. Take a Ride on Australia’s Biggest Pest in Broome

Take in one of the country’s best sunsets while riding high on Australia’s biggest pest: a camel! Surprised? In the early 1800s camels were imported from India, Afghanistan, and Arabia as a means of cheap and hardy transport—aptly nicknamed “ships of the desert.” Now, Australia has the largest population of wild camels on the planet!

With a small amount of predators on the continent, camel populations have continued to explode. One of their friendly uses is to take you along the stunning Cable Beach as you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Romance! Adventure! Humps for DAYS! Can you ask for more than that?

When To Go
April – June
September – November; avoid the wet season and cooler winter temperatures

Location
Broome, Kimberly Region, Western Australia

11. Witness the Most Spectacular National Park in Oz

Just north of the Tropic of Capricorn is Australia’s best-kept secret—Karijini National Park. About 1,055 kilometres from Perth, Karijini is often overlooked.

Its rugged and spectacular scenery offers a variety of recreational experiences, including hiking endless gorges, cooling off in pristine waterholes with cascading waterfalls, exploring 10-foot termite mounds, colourful cliffs, and chasms, and meeting wild horses (aka brumbies). While it’s hard to narrow down, our top spots in Karijini are: Hancock Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Weano Gorge, Hamersley Gorge, Circular Pool, and Fern Pool. It’s one best-kept secret you won’t want to keep to yourself!

When To Go
April – November; avoid the summer heat and cyclone season

Location
Karijini National Park, Pilbara Region, north Western Australia

With that, we’ve reached the end of this week’s instalment. We hope you’ve got some new adventure fuel in the tank, and tons of fresh ideas for your next vacation. Click back here next week for part three in the series, and more great things to do and see down under!

The post 23 Amazing Places to Visit in Australia – Part Two appeared first on Leading Out.