12:00a.m. 18th July 2008

Beerwah Camping Centre's Peter Moller loads up some supplies to show off at the Farm Fantastic. Photo: Warren Lynam/177072

Funnily enough for a camping store, Beerwah Camping sets up for business in an impressively sized 12 by 12 metre tent during Farm Fantastic.

As he has in previous years, shop owner Peter Moller will head to Caboolture today to join hundreds of exhibitors for opening day of the three-day trade show.

With the temporary tent city becoming home to more than 2000 companies from Australian and New Zealand looking to sell their products and services, it’s difficult to make a lasting impression on potential customers.

Photo Gallery: Farm Fantastic 2007

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But Peter’s business has been involved in every Farm Fantastic bar one and he has seen his commitment rewarded in that time.

“The biggest thing we get is exposure,” he said.

“We’ve had customers who have come from way out and driven past other camping shops just to come and see us.

“The sales we make (at Farm Fantastic) generally only cover costs for the weekend, but there are major benefits that come from being there.”

His staff are all keen campers, he said, and as a gemologist, Peter also enjoys the great outdoors, although he likes to follow his compass well past the popular camping spots around Kilcoy and Kenilworth.

Before Peter built the camping shop up after taking it over in 2000, he had set out on camping trips searching for gemstones around Quilpie, Longreach and Lightning Ridge.

Farm Fantastic

Where: Pumicestone Road, Caboolture

When: July 18 to 20

Hours: Friday and Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday 8am-4pm

Tickets: Adults $12, seniors $8, children under 10 free

Seniors $8 only on Friday, July 18

Parking: Free on-site. A free Thrifty Shuttle Bus will run from Caboolture Railway Station every half-hour to Farm Fantastic site. Caboolture Bus Lines service from Landsborough and Beerwah. Contact Debbie on 54954744