Australia is a country for the true lovers of the outdoors. There are just so many places to go and adventures to experience. Whether it's the beautiful landscapes and the weather, spending days and nights under the skies in the land down under has its advantages:
You recharge both physically and mentally Spending time away from bustling city life does wonders for your health. Communing with nature helps reduce stress and anxiety. Hiking, carrying your outdoor gear to camp, setting up a shelter and other physical activities provide great cardio exercises and help fight off heart diseases and obesity. Plus, for many adventurers, sleeping under billions of stars beats every 5-star hotel accommodation any day.
Photo by Ryan Young on Unsplash
Spending time outdoors is also a great way to awaken your sense of adventure. And Australia is a country that has never disappointed any adventure-seeker. For those who love exploring, the country's rich wildlife and plant life are worth the time spent on every trip.
You get to bond with family or friends You get to spend quality time with your family or friends. And the time spent outdoors the drive to the campsite, setting up tents, cooking over a campfire these are opportunities to bond with people closest to you.
There is no denying the advantages of spending time outdoors. And these days, there are two ways that people commune with nature. They either go camping or glamping. Not sure about the difference? Read on and we'll discuss.
Camping vs. Glamping: Understanding the Difference
For those hearing it for the first time, camping and glamping may seem to be one and the same. This isn't true and here's a breakdown of the differences:
- While both terms pertain to spending time in the outdoors, glamping is well next level camping. It's bringing the comforts and convenience of modern day technology while camping. Glamping is more comfortable and is an easier experience for people who have never gone camping before.
- While traditional camping usually means staying in a traditional tent, glamping involves staying in semi-permanent and more comfortable accommodations like yurts. There are glampers who prefer to stay in their vehicles that have caravan solar panels installed, so they can use the vehicle's air conditioning or power camping appliances.
There are also campers that bring solar mats to trickle charge their vehicle batteries. Some use folding solar panels that they can use to power campsite lights at night. If you're shopping around and trying to decide what are the best portable solar panels for camping, check out consumer reviews and compare at least two or three stores to find the best deals.
- When it comes to sleeping gear, camping enthusiasts use sleeping bags. These are the go-to outdoor gear for spending the night outdoors as they're waterproof, provide great insulation and lightweight. Sleeping bags are also affordable and widely available online or in outdoor gear shops. Some campers who prefer to travel light use swags as this can double up as shelter, and there are those who just put up a hammock and tie a tarp over it for shelter.
Glamping on the other hand, involves the use of more comfortable air mattresses for sleeping. Most glampers would rather not see the skies if it meant sacrificing a good night's sleep. They just don't like sleeping TOO close to the cold ground. For many glamping enthusiasts, nothing short of a spacious air mattress will do.
Queen size air mattress with built in pump from outbax.com.au
- Bathing means two different things when camping and glamping. For campers, bathing means taking a dip in a lake or river or the beach. For glampers, bathing means using a solar heated portable shower inside a camping shower tent.
Next level glampers go as far as setting up an inflatable spa because there's nothing better than watching a beautiful sunset while soaking in your own portable hot tub. Right?
Inflatable spa from outbax.com.au
- Starting a campfire is one of the first things that campers do when outdoors. This is where campers cook food and keep warm as temperatures go down at night. However, not everyone has the skill to start a campfire. And in Australia, there are national parks and campsites that prohibit campfires, especially during the summer season.
Photo by Myles Tan on Unsplash
This is why for glampers, bringing along a portable electric stove that's powered by a camping generator is necessary. Just make sure that you brush up on how to use an inverter generator before you bring and use one for glamping.
There are others that prefer to use portable BBQ fire pits they can use to cook food with, as it's a much safer option than starting a campfire. When it comes to storing food, glamping allows you to store more food items since you can use a generator to power up a fridge or an electric cooler. Campers on the other hand, must be mindful of how much food items they bring to the trip to avoid spoilage. This also means that campers often have to eat canned and dried food, as opposed to the fresh, cooked meals that glampers enjoy.
Camping vs Glamping: Which One Works for You?
Now that we've broken down the difference, should you go camping or glamping? If you still need help deciding, here are a couple more factors that you need to consider before going on your trip:
Expenses
Even basic camping involves spending money on gear, food, gas, etc. If you're on a budget, a great way to find the best deals on outdoor gear is to check out review sites and camping forums. Members usually talk about retailers that offer discounts and you can even post questions on when to shop so you can score camping equipment at bargain prices. Aside from buying gear, you also need to shell out money to stay on campsites, and you need to buy food, drinks, etc. And you can safely assume that expenses are doubled if you decide to go glamping. The cheapest glamping sites cost almost $300 a night. Campgrounds where you can pitch a tent will set you back around $30-$50 a night. Check your budget carefully before you decide what type of outdoor adventure to take.
Campsite / Glamping Site Availability
Believe it or not, you cannot just set up a tent anywhere. Yep, even in Australia. For safety reasons, campers and glampers alike are encouraged to spend the night in legit campgrounds or holiday parks. While there are holiday parks and campgrounds that don't have problems accommodating glampers with their yurts or those with their own campervans, it's far easier for these establishments to accept campers. After all, a tent won't occupy as much space as a 25-ft campervan.
How to do Glamping on a Budget
Clearly, glamping can make your time outdoors not just easier, but safer and more memorable. So, is there a way that you can go glamping without spending a lot of money? The answer is yes and here's two ways you can cut back on cost and still be very comfy:
- Book all-inclusive glamping packages Yes, there is a thing as an all-inclusive glamping deal. Choose companies that offer not just glamping services but also proved the basic camping deals. These types of companies are quite flexible and keen to provide a holiday experience that's tailored to your need and budget. It also won't hurt if you book a trip when camping season is nearing its end that's when you can find great deals on holiday packages.
- Buy quality outdoor gear DIY glamping means you need to bring portable and inflatable well everything. From air beds to outdoor toilets, you can make your campsite very comfortable as long as you have the best outdoor gear with you.
DIY glamping site must-haves include: A spacious family tent, an air mattress (preferably queen size), LED lights that you can use at night, inflatable pillows, camping stove, a fridge or cooler, and of course a portable power source like camping solar panels or inverter generators.
Remember, choose your gear wisely. Buy products that are recommended by actual consumers and ask questions in camping forums or check out social media groups for camping and glamping. You want gear that would not just work well, but are durable enough to last you for many years.
So, should you go glamping or camping?
The answer is: it's really up to you. Take time to compare the pros and cons of each activity. For first timers, glamping may be more enjoyable and easier, to be honest. After all, it's not much different from spending a holiday in a resort or staying at home, although it may defeat the purpose of communing with nature a little bit. But if you're one who cannot compromise comfort, then glamping is certainly for you. If budget is a concern, and if you're keen to get away from everything that resembles modern day living, then camping is what you ought to do.
Regardless of which one you end up doing, always remember to stay safe and leave the campground exactly the way you found it. Do research on the surrounding area in advance so you'll know what outdoor gear to bring with you.
