Camping has been a favourite outdoor activity among Aussies ever since. This is one of your best options if you wish to unwind and get away from the Internet, stress, and the clamour of daily life and be able to breathe in and embrace nature. The list of camping top spots also continues to increase in the country, accommodating not just tents but also caravans, campervans, and motorhomes.
In this regard, owning a caravan may be a good investment if you are a habitual traveller, as it will enable you to move around the country quickly for long periods. A camping trip is also not limited to nature lovers and adventurers. The whole camping experience can endow you with many things you do not usually get.
Camping is a great way to relax and connect with nature. You can enjoy looking at the stars, listening to the sounds of the forest, and feeling the breeze. It's a peaceful experience that can rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit.
As more camping areas pop up and more people get into the hobby of camping, it's equally essential for first-timers to know the basics of camping first. If you're going on your first-ever campout, read on for some camping top tips to help you out.
10 Best Camping Top Tips For Newbies
Camping Guideline #1: Know and read up on your campsite
If you're a first-time camper, you should know that Australia has many campgrounds: national parks, holiday parks or commercial campgrounds, walk-in campsites, and caravan parks. You can even go for a free campsite if you wish to!
If you plan to explore the great outdoors, you can research a list of campsites and their fees online. There are also helpful mobile apps that make It easy to locate campgrounds.
Camping Guideline #2: Take note of camping restrictions
The policies around camping areas vary. See to it that you know the duration of your stay before planning to avoid hassle. If you plan to stay for a whole month in a free campsite, it's also a good idea to call in first since some allow long-term stays, but others prohibit overnight camping. Some campsites offer cheaper rates and deals once you sign up for membership or book beforehand.
Besides knowing where to go and for how much, there are other questions you might want to ask yourself: Is the campsite safe for kids? Is it pet friendly? What activities are available for your group or your family? Do they have showers and toilets?
Do they have fire pits or allow campfires? What season do you prefer to go camping? Is it crowded? Another thing–although camping should keep you away from the Internet, you might want to know if the site has mobile reception in case of emergencies.
Camping Guideline #3: Draft a list of camping needs
Although a camping trip requires several things, remember to pack light and be well-prepared in case of harsh conditions and mechanical failures. Depending on the season and whether you are hiking or caravan camping, here are some of the camping essentials you might want to consider:
- Sturdy and comfortable walking shoes or boots
- A med kit/first aid kit
- A backpack for camping gear and equipment
- A sleeping bag and sleeping gear
- A water-resistant tent
- A camping pot and camping stove
- A tumbler that can hold at least a litre of water
- Eating utensils and a picnic table
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A lighter
- Insect repellent
A camping top essentials list is crucial whether you're camping in a caravan park, beach campground, or an off-grid site. You don't want to realise you're missing something important when you're already there!
Camping Guideline #4: Double-check your camping gear and equipment
Take time to pack up. One of the mistakes you'd want to avoid is bringing the wrong set of gears or unusable equipment. Test out your camping gear or electronics you want to bring to ensure they work fine, even if the item is new.
Packing reliable power equipment like camping batteries, solar panels or portable generators is also necessary. You want to be able to enjoy some comforts like hot showers or warmth from portable heaters in case there are no fire pits available. Yes, camping is all about "roughing it up," but there's nothing wrong with ensuring you have these little add-ons too!
Camping Guideline #5: Keep your safety in mind
It is so easy to forget to observe safety measures when they're new to you, and you're having a good time. Knowing camping areas well is important, but it's also crucial to be aware of toxic plants, pests, and wild animals. You should know how to handle encounters with them.
Safety also includes internal factors, not just external ones. See that your camping top essentials include necessary medicines and first-aid kits. This way, you can ensure a smooth sailing camping experience that will leave you with good memories.
Camping Guideline #6: Plan a reasonable budget and read up on the pros and cons of the various camping options
A free campsite is great, but if you want, there are low-cost camping sites with fees ranging from $20 to $60 per day, too. In particular, the camping fees for national parks range from $10 to $15 per day. While a tent can cost as low as $30, you may also want to consider renting a vehicle or investing in one. Costs depend on the vehicle type:
| Vehicle type | Average price (new) | Average price (used) | Rent per night |
| Motorhome | $150,000 | $110,000 | $150 |
| Caravan | $48,900 | $40,000 | $50 |
| Campervan | $70,000 | $30,000 | $50 |
| Camper trailer | $15,000 | $7,000 | $35 |
If you plan to go on a long road trip for, say, two months, renting these vehicles would range from $2,100 to $9,000, but since they may have been used and rented out previously, you risk facing multiple mechanical breakdowns along the way. You should also look into fuel, towing, storage, and parking. Once you have decided on where and how you are travelling, the next thing you should consider is your food allowance. You can buy and eat during stop-overs or pack and cook meals.
Camping Guideline #7: Research on the updated legislation concerning caravan camping and caravan ownership
Besides avoiding fines and penalties, remember that each state has legal requirements, registration costs, and road and traffic rules for owning a campervan. The fines imposed can also vary. Here are some important points to note when purchasing campervans and caravans:
- An international driving license may be beneficial.
- Ensure and renew the vehicle's registration (rego).
- The required duration for transferring ownership depends on the state.
- The requirement for a Certificate of Roadworthiness also depends on the state.
Camping Guideline #8: Clean up your station and dispose of garbage
We have our camping top tips and camping top essentials, but we also need to have our camping top responsibilities. Clean up after your camping trip and do your bit for the environment. This is especially important for pet friendly camping areas since some of our furry friends might make a mess around the site.
Camping Guideline #9: Practice patience and conservatism
Camping can test your patience. You can never prepare enough. There could be a sudden change of weather while you're enjoying the great outdoors, broken gear, or occasional sniffles just when you arrive at the campsite. That's what it's all about, anyway--unwinding while surrounded by the beauty of nature and making the most out of it, even with a few inconveniences and unforeseen delays in between.
Camping Guideline #10: Remember the purpose of your trip
Whether you're travelling alone or with a group, there is always some truth in the belief that you'll find yourself when you are closer to nature. Once the trip is over, you'll have memories to look back on and stories to share.
As such, make the most of the camping experience and focus on the positives. Seize the day, yet save enough energy to spend at night for the laughs around the campfire. Whichever way you want to camp, you're sure to have a great time with enough preparation.
Prep For Your Next Camping Trip with Outbax
Ready for your next campout? It's time to create that camping list! Visit Outbax today for your outdoor gear and shop from a wide range of portable power equipment, including premium LiFePO4 batteries, power stations, and inverter generators.
We also have camping accessories here, so check them out. Outbax is home to affordable yet quality camping must-haves, catering to all kinds of adventure in the great outdoors. Shop now, and you might score some of our best deals!
