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If you’re off on a camping adventure around Australia, you’re in for a serious scenic treat, not to mention an experience like no other. The landscapes you will see will blow your mind, the wildlife is unlike anywhere else in the world, and camping facilities throughout the country are first class.

Of course, any epic trip needs serious planning and consideration, and when it comes to packing, you need to seriously look at your requirements; this isn’t a trip you want to be missing something from! Camping essentials list.

So, where can you pick up your camping gear? And ahead of that, what do you need in the first place? What to pack for camping in a trailer. 

What you need specifically depends on how you want to travel, how long you are going for, and how many people you are travelling with, but there are a few common items which should appear on everyone’s list of essentials. The following are the main items you will be needing for your epic Australian camping adventure, whichever direction you head off in.

Camping 101: What to Pack for an Australian Camping Adventure

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Tent

Unless you want to sleep on a towel under the stars, which let’s face it isn’t the most comfortable way to chill out, you’re going to need a tent. Most large supermarkets will stock tents during the peak camping season, i.e. summer, and you can also pick up bargains online, especially on eBay or other similar auction sites. What to pack for camping with kids. Camping essentials. 

If you’re not planning on taking too many camping trips, perhaps just the one, then don’t go too far into your budget, and instead look at something a little towards the cheaper end of the scale. What do you need for camping?

Of course, if you’re a seasoned camper and you’re looking for something hardier and larger, then there are plentiful choices out there for you. If you decide you do want to sleep under the stars, consider setting yourself up with a compact, lightweight travel hammock as an alternative.

Consider a Camper Trailer

To carry your camping gear from A to B, consider the idea of a trailer. This saves space in your car, and gives you a more central place to store your things.

There are many different camper trailer choices on the market, of varying sizes, to fit various vehicles, so this is again going to be a case of shopping around to fit your needs and budget. When buying camper trailers, be sure to check it does actually fit your vehicle however – this is a common mistake!

Bedding/ground sheet/sleeping bag

If you want to rest comfortably and cleanly of an evening then you need to think about bedding. Most tents come with ground sheets, but you might need to look into this if your particular brand doesn’t have one, or if it isn’t up to scratch. What do you sleep in in a tent? Sleep on the ground in a tent.

On top of this, you need bedding, and/or a sleeping bag, but again, these are very easy to find. Most large department stores sell sleeping bags, and as we have mentioned previously, you can find many bargains online. This isn’t really an area you need to splash too much cash on. Basic camping checklist.

Cooking Gear

Of course, you need to fill your belly whilst you’re away, and one of the most iconic scenes of any camping adventure is sitting around the open fire. Now, that’s all very well and good, but you’re probably going to want to actually cook food in a more timely manner at some point; this is where a small camping stove will come in very handy. Basic things you need for camping.

These can be picked up very cheaply from camping stores, or again online from most hardware outlets. On top of this, a travel fridge, cool box, and a few handy cooking utensil essentials are also a good idea.

Also consider a water purifier. It’s not always practical to carry large quantities of the bottled stuff, so a water purifier is a great investment.

First Aid Kit

You’d think that taking a first aid kit along when you’re travelling to remote destinations would be a no-brainer, but in fact it’s something that people often overlook. Whether this means re-stocking an existing first aid kit or buying a new one make sure to take one with you on all of your travels.

You generally don’t have to be a doctor to help yourself, or others, in an emergency, though you do have to have the first aid skills and tools to administer the care required. For Australia specifically, make sure you have suntan lotion with you, and a knowledge of how to treat snakebite…just in case.

Food Supplies

It’s not really a good idea to get your food on the go, because this is a) more expensive, and b) more timely, because you’re going to have to spend a portion of your day exploring the area for something to eat, or trying to find a supermarket. What to pack for camping in Australia. Camp Australia checklist.

Take a few essentials with you, such as packet soups, noodles etc, and buy fresh items, such as bread and water, as you find a shop on your travels.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, TwitterYouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

    24 Comments

  1. I absolutely love camping and can only imagine how beautiful and amazing it would be to do in Australia! I think I’d want to do a campervan that way we could go all over and see even more of the beautiful country!

    • Australia is a great country for a campervan tour … so much to see, and the road is the best way to see it all! Let us know if you have any questions or are looking for tips in the lead up to your trip :)

  2. I’m not much of a camper but really enjoy hiking and exploring the outdoors. These are great tips and can definitely be used, at least partially, in other trips.

    Preparing the correct food supplies is a must. It will save a ton of time.

    Would love to explore Australia though!

    • Hope you have the chance to visit Australia soon Hugo :) Even if you’re not a fan of camping, there are some beautiful hikes here I know you would just love!

  3. Lots of great ideas on here – haven’t got to OZ yet but camping is on the agenda when I do get there and I saved this blog for ideas when it is time to go. Great Post.

    • Glad you enjoyed the post Danik – hope you have the chance to get to Aus soon … let us know if you’re looking for tips on where to start your trip :)

  4. I think I’m more of a glamper than a camper but this does sound like a fun adventure!

  5. I’ve always wanted to do a camper van type camping trip. I’m used to roughing it in the bush in Canada, but Australia would be a whole other adventure. I agree about making sure you have a well supplied first aid kit!

    • Australia is a great country to explore via campervan – so much to see, and you miss out on a lot of the country when you fly. Best way to experience the highlights is by hitting the road :)

  6. Camping is our favorite way to travel, and we’d love to camp our way around the world. Maybe you already have a post about the best places to camp in Australia? I’d love some ideas on where to pitch our tent!

    • Hi Tara – I don’t yet have a post on the best places to camp, but that’s a great article idea – will start working on putting together a list!

      Feel free to shoot me an email and I can send over some tips – meganjerrard@gmail.com – because Australia is so big, where to go will depend on which States and Territories you’re taking in.

      One spot in particular I would recommend though would be along the G reat Ocean Road in Victoria – one of most scenic coastal drives in the world, and a lot of people choose to camp here.

  7. I must admit I’m not much for camping but being prepared makes it much more comfortable.

    • Absolutely – I’ve found I usually only end up truly “roughing it” when I head out unprepared. Can be quite comfortable and enjoyable when you’ve set yourself up with the right gear :)

  8. I’m in love with camping! We once did a road trip and camped around Europe — that was absolutely amazing and I would love to do it again :D

    For sure, the items you’ve listed here are paramount! Hopefully as well, I get to try camping out in Australia.

    • Hope you have the chance to come camping in Australia soon Aileen! Happy travels :)

  9. I’ve never camped independently in Australia, just with a tour group around Uluru. Nonetheless, it’s definitely something I’d love to do. Australia is the perfect country for camping.

    • Australia really is the perfect country for camping – so glad to hear you had a fab time while visiting Uluru Stef! Camping is a great idea there because it means you get to catch that stunning sunrise and sunset which most people miss :)

  10. After the many warnings regarding Australia’s animals and insects, I’m glad you included a First Aid Kit! I think exploring in a camper trailer would be so much fun with the right company. It would be nice to explore and stay outside of the usual cities.

    • Haha, it’s a lot more hype than reality re our deadly and poisonous creatures, though it’s always a good idea to be carrying a first aid kit anyway :)

      And absolutely re exploring in a camper trailer – Australia is a country which was made to be explored on the road :)

  11. I would love to do camping in Australia, specially at Wave Hill Station. Camping is my favourite thing in travel. This year I had not done any camping. Now definitely I would plan. Thanks for inspiring.

    • Glad you enjoyed the post Lucetta, and that we could inspire you to add some camping to your itinerary for this year :)

      Happy travels!

  12. Great checklist for a camping trip in Aus! I’m not a big fan of camping (i’m blaming my UK roots where camping was often a cold, wet and miserable exercise) but I think it is one of the best ways to see this huge country of Australia where there is so much to see and explore.

    • Thanks Vicki! Who knows, maybe a camping experience in Aus will change your mind … we have beautiful weather here, especially during the summer, so it’ll likely be a very different experience for you :D

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