CAMPING does not mean 'roughing it' by any means for the dedicated group of campers at the Mount Panorama Sky Bar site.
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There's 19 of them, all from Victoria, and they've been pitching tents on the same site at the McPhillamy Campground for the past 18 years.
Luke Walters has been selected as the group's CEO and it's a role he takes very seriously.
At the Sky Bar we're all about safety and when you pass your safety induction you get a pass and full access.
- Mount Panorama Sky Bar CEO Luke Walters
READ MORE: Meet the unsung heroes of this Race Week
"We decided to do it bigger and better every year so this year we introduced the Sky Bar," he said.
Constructed in Victoria before their pilgrimage to Bathurst, the Sky Bar stands atop a box trailer and is fitted with seats, an umbrella, a safety barrier and a slippery dip.
"At the Sky Bar we're all about safety and when you pass your safety induction you get a pass and full access," Mr Walters said with all the seriousness of a corporate CEO.
VIDEO: Take a tour of the Mount Panorama Sky Bar camp site
"There's a slide for emergency exits or to get out to go to the toilet."
Not only does the team have the newly installed Sky Bar, they also have a pool table, cappuccino machine, spit roast cooker, two barbecues, a bar with neon lights and a huge fireplace.
The team also has an oven crafted out of an old beer keg, complete with a temperature gauge, that sits on top of the fireplace.
The Mount Panorama Sky Bar camp site also has a resident pastry chef - Sam Dorning.
Already this Race Week he's served up a fresh batch of vanilla slices that he made in the keg oven.
"Last year I said if we can get it [the keg oven] to 300 degrees I'd make vanilla slices, so I made them," he said.
"They only took around 10 minutes to bake and everyone loved them.
"I've also made pizzas and party pies in there."
Being a part of this exclusive camp site doesn't come without a challenge, Mr Walters said.
"If you're a prospect [for joining] you've got to sleep on our viewing spot [alongside the track] so we can claim the spot for the next day. They've got to do this rain, hail or shine," he said.
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
