Driving & Caravanning

Going camping? Don’t forget to pack these essentials!

Feb 19, 2020

These essentials could be the difference between a successful camping trip and one you'd rather forget. Source: Getty

It’s been said that 2020 is the year of the road trip, with Aussies encouraged to ‘holiday at home’ in a bid to bring business to regional communities impacted by unforgiving drought and relentless bushfires. As initiatives pop up across the country, what better time for city-siders and suburban-dwellers to explore their backyards than the Easter long weekend, visiting small businesses affected and help restore people’s livelihood?

Make the most of the Easter holidays and embark on a road trip to remember. Set up camp under the stars, pack your togs and an empty esky, and enjoy the break with friends and family knowing that you’re giving back to local regional communities who need visitors at the same time.

Part of the appeal of camping is existing in nature without your creature comforts from home. There’s nothing like leaving all your possessions behind to make you feel liberated. But depending on how near or far you’re willing to travel, there’s a couple of camping essentials that are worth packing. Aside from the obvious necessities — a tent, cooking equipment and plenty of food, here are some must-have items that will help transform you from outdoor novice to champion camper.

A decent chair

It goes without saying that comfort is key when it comes to separating a successful camping trip from one you’d rather forget. So long as everyone has somewhere to sit, there should be no complaints. Invest in a quality camping chair to sit around the fire in or simply watch the day go by. Bonus points if it has a footrest and drink holder.

A comfy mattress

A good nights sleep is paramount to ensuring you’re in a good mood — no one likes a grumpy camper. Make sure you get plenty of shut-eye by packing a mattress that you find comfortable. Forget about sleeping on a barely-there mattress or dodgy airbed that is likely to deflate overnight and instead opt for something a little more comfortable. Take your pillow from home and some quality linen to make it feel like you’re in your own bedroom.

Plenty of water

While you might be travelling to a fully-serviced site, it’s still a good idea to make sure you take enough clean water. Remember, we’re prone to harsh weather conditions here in Australia, so it’s important to stay hydrated – that means drinking at least two litres (or eight glasses) of water a day. Store some bottles of fresh water in drink bottles in a cool place or an esky, or invest in a couple of tanks that you can fill up as necessary.

Insect repellant

Camping and pests go hand-in-hand. If it’s not mozzies biting you at night, it’s fly’s hanging around during the day! Make sure you don’t leave home without plenty of insect repellant and fly spray — there’s nothing worse than returning from your trip with some irritating mozzie bites. Likewise, it’s a good idea to go prepared with creams or lotions to help heal mozzie bites faster while you’re away.