For the first time ever, Gateway Mackenzie and Gateway Online are heading away for a full weekend of community, worship and connection. You’ll enjoy great food, campfire chats, free time, and powerful sessions with guest speaker Mark Conner.
Both weekends are exactly the same, so choose the one that works best for you and your life group or family. If you're part of Gateway Online, you're especially invited to join us for week 1.
Expect a mix of powerful worship and teaching, plenty of free time to unwind, and lots of opportunities to connect. There’ll be moments around the campfire, a Saturday night games night, and great food shared together. You’ll find space to rest, have fun, and grow in faith and community.
We’re heading to a beautiful private property at Christmas Creek in the Scenic Rim. With fresh air, rolling hills and a creek to swim in (if you’re brave), it’s the perfect place to unwind. You’ll have space to relax, disconnect from the busyness of life, and reconnect with Jesus and each other.
Mark is the former Senior Pastor of CityLife Church in Melbourne. He brings a wealth of wisdom and deep passion for helping people grow in faith, leadership and life. Mark’s sessions will encourage and equip you on your faith journey.
Where is the property and how do I get there?
We’re heading to a beautiful private property in Lamington, just off Christmas Creek Road. It’s not a public campsite, which means we’ll have the whole place to ourselves—no strangers, just Gateway family. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Mackenzie (outside of peak hour), and we’ll send you the exact address closer to the date. If you’ve been to Young Adults Retreat or Man Camp before, you’ll already know the way!
When does camp start and finish?
You’re welcome to arrive any time from 2pm on Friday. Come early, set up, and settle in. We’ll kick things off properly with dinner at 6pm (no need to bring your own!). Camp wraps up after lunch on Sunday, giving you plenty of time to head home, unpack, and maybe even sneak in a nap.
Do I need to bring any food?
You don’t need to bring a thing because our amazing volunteers are taking care of all the main meals for the weekend. There’ll be a chip-in roster so everyone can help out with a bit of prep and clean-up along the way.
If your kids have particular food preferences, you’re welcome to pack a few of their favourite snacks. And if baking is your love language, feel free to bring something to share for morning or afternoon tea.
We’ll cater for most common dietary requirements. Camp is a dry event, so please don’t bring any alcohol.
Can I bring my pets?
As much as we love your furry friends, we’re not set up to care for pets at camp so it’s best to leave them at home this time. (We promise they’ll forgive you.)
What's the phone reception like?
Let’s just say… it’s the perfect excuse to switch off for the weekend. Reception is patchy at best, which makes it a great chance to unplug, unwind and be fully present. If you need to check in, you might find a few bars in certain spots or by taking a short drive offsite.
Can I come for just part of camp, or visit for the day?
Right now, we’re keeping registrations open for the full weekend only. We believe there’s something special about being there from start to finish—sharing meals, late-night chats and everything in between. If things change and we open up day visitor options closer to October, we’ll be sure to let you know.
I don’t have camping gear (or don’t love camping). What are my options?
No worries at all—you’ve got a few! If you don’t have camping gear, chat to your friends or life group to see if you can borrow a tent or bedding for the weekend. You could also look into hiring gear if that’s easier. We’ve got toilets, showers and all your meals covered.
Not keen on camping? You’re still welcome! Just book a camp ticket to cover your meals and then organise nearby offsite accommodation. If you’d like help finding something local, flick us an email at mackenzie@gatewaybaptist.com.au.
What’s on offer for my kids or teenagers?
Plenty! While Mark Conner is speaking, we’ll have fun, age-appropriate programs running for pre- and primary-school kids. Teens will stay in the main sessions, but there’ll be heaps of moments across the weekend for kids and youth to hang out, play games, and enjoy time together. Camp’s a great space for them to connect and make memories too.
Are there powered sites or water for my caravan?
This isn’t your average campground—it’s private property, so there aren’t powered sites or water hook-ups for vans or trailers. That said, there are toilets and showers on site, and if you need power for something essential like a CPAP machine, just let us know and we’ll help you out.
What are the amenities like?
The setup is simple and rustic but you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The showers and toilets are clean and comfortable, so no need to worry about roughing it too much.
What should I pack?
We’ll send you a full packing list closer to camp, but the basics are pretty simple: you’ll need shelter and bedding, clothes and toiletries, plus a few essentials like a hat, sunscreen, camp chair, torch, water bottle, keep cup and your Bible. There’s a freshwater creek too, so if you’re game for a dip, pack your swimmers and a towel!