DID you know there are thousands of camp oven enthusiasts in Australia?

In fact, there are 350,000 members on one Facebook group alone – just sharing recipes.

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Fancy kangaroo meatballs with bush tucker spices and lemon myrtle fettucini?

Many said enthusiasts attend an extremely popular biennial camp oven festival in Millmerran, Queensland.

On their off year, since 2015, people have come down to Nymboida to swell the numbers for a smaller boutique event.

It’s the Clarence Valley’s annual Camp Oven Festival, run not-for-profit by the community.

Last weekend, this camp oven craze was fuelled by three days of music, craft and art workshops, lots of children’s activities and much hearty food.

There was a mix of musical acts from the Clarence Valley and other regions, including ‘We Mavericks’, who were invited to perform after a great showing at the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival.

At night after the main stage wrapped up, musos gathered round a huge firepit and played acoustically.

Gordon Dedman, from Nambucca, workshopped bushcraft and survival skills, teaching people to make a fire, build shelter, source food and water, and navigate by the stars.

A renowned bushcraft expert and survivalist, popular SBS television program ‘Alone Australia’ employed Gordon as the main consultant for their recent series.

Lynney Grieves from Grafton was one of the judges of the scone and bread making competition.

“We judge on the fire being at the right temperature, the scone or bread must not taste burnt, must be an even colour, has risen enough and is not too heavy or doughy,” Lynney told News Of The Area.

Myrtle bush tucker scones, crusty sourdough bread and a rum and raisin brioche ‘took the cake!’.

By Mary KEILY