The ultimate guide to camping

Swag, Rooftop Tent, or Tent?

First up, we have the most essential item for any camping trip—the tent! Whether you're driving a 4WD or not, a good-quality tent is a must-have. But if you're planning on exploring more remote locations, a rooftop tent might be your best bet. With easy setup, great views, and the added bonus of being off the ground, it's definitely worth considering.

Swag

An Australian camping essential would be rolling out a canvas swag as your tent of choice! Your mattress and bedding can all be rolled up together in a simple waterproof setup. Most of us here at 4WD 24/7 sleep in swags on almost every trip as they are comfortable, warm, and simple camp setups and can be easily strapped to your roof or thrown in your 4WD. For added ease and comfort, you can get a swag stretcher to get you off the ground.

Shelter

For those rainy days or even to escape the harsh Aussie sun, any form of shelter can step up your camping kit to the next level. A simple gazebo can rescue you, your mates, and your gear from the rain, and it can save you from nasty sunburn on those hot days. The next step up from a gazebo would be a side awning mounted to the roof of your 4WD, a super convenient alternative and a cracking addition to any 4WD.

Bedding

Next on the list is a sleeping bag to keep you warm and snug at night. And if you're using a rooftop tent, make sure you pick a sleeping bag that will fit inside when the rooftop tent is closed. Don't forget to add a sleeping pad to provide insulation between you and the ground, ensuring a comfortable night's sleep and helping eliminate condensation buildup on those cold nights.

Electric Blankets

For those down in Victoria and Tasmania, during those cold winter nights, we recommend grabbing a 12V electric blanket to take off the chill during the night—just remember to power this with your secondary battery so you don’t drain your starter battery overnight!

Camp Furniture

It goes without saying, good camping chairs and tables are also a great addition to your gear. Not only do they provide a comfy place to sit and relax, but they're also perfect for enjoying meals and drinks outdoors. And, if you're driving a 4WD vehicle, don't forget to consider the portability factor when choosing your camping furniture.

Camp Chair

Figure out the style of chair you like—a classic fold-out chair with a cup holder? Maybe a director’s-style chair with a built-in side table? Or even a compact chair that doesn’t take up much room in your 4WD? Whatever works for you is the best!

Camping Table

When it comes to a table, a simple folding plastic table is great as they are strong and reliable, but maybe a small-sized coffee table suits you better. If you are really into camp cooking, we recommend a steel table for even putting your hot camp ovens onto without worrying about damaging the table.

Cooking, Food, and Drinks

Whether it’s for cooking up some grub or keep your beers cold, you’ll make your next camping trip that much better by having the right outdoor gear for the job.

Camp Stove

Cooking up a storm while camping is essential, so don't forget to pack a camp stove to cook your meals and a billy to boil water. Propane or butane stoves are great options, and portable camp stoves make transporting them easy.

Campfire Cooking

If you prefer cooking on fire, you’ll need a hotplate, cast iron pan, and a camp oven as your must-haves. Some extras to step up your game would be a jaffle iron for toasties and a roll of aluminium foil to roast anything directly on the fire! We recommend bringing some long BBQ tongs to keep away from the heat of the campfire and a welder's glove to handle your camp oven or pan when things get super hot.

Eskies

A good-quality esky is also necessary to keep your food fresh and cold, and your beers ice cold. Stepping up from this, a 12V car fridge is the dream addition to any camper's kit, especially if you're camping in a remote location. Make sure you grab the right size for your use (generally 30-50L for up to 3 days away, 50L and above for longer trips) and ensure you have enough dual battery power/solar to keep your fridge running without any dramas.

Camp Lighting

Lighting is crucial for any camping trip, so be sure to bring lanterns or torches to illuminate your campsite. We love the use of a headlamp as they’re perfect for around the camp at night and are essential for 4WDers who love a night run as they are handy when doing trackside 4WD repairs.

4WD Camp Lights

Step up your camp lighting with fixed camp lights mounted to your 4WD’s roof rack, or even have a quality floodlight to brighten up the night.

Other Essentials

Ensure your camping trip runs smoothly with essentials that can keep you safer, more comfortable, and more prepared for your next 4x4 adventure.

Tools

An adventure tool kit is a versatile piece of equipment that can come in handy for a variety of purposes, from fixing problems to bush mechanics. It's essential if you're camping in a remote location.

Insect Repellent

Let's not forget insect repellent! It's essential to keep those pesky bugs at bay, especially if you're camping in a remote location. Bushman’s Repellent does an incredible job dealing with the pesky Australian mozzies, and a Thermacell is a perfect addition to your camp kit as it creates a scent-free no-bug zone!

Safety Gear

A well-stocked first aid kit is also a must-have for any camping trip, and it's even more important if you're venturing out to more remote areas. As Australian campers, it is key to ensure you have a snake bite kit. If you really like traveling off-grid, a personal locator beacon is without a doubt one of the best things you can carry. It's never a bad thing to be overprepared in terms of safety.

Music

A campsite is not complete without a portable Bluetooth speaker to add some music to the serenity or get the energy up after a few cold ones.

Unforgettables

Here are a few unforgettable items you have to bring camping we thought to list here just in case you forgot:

• Water (jerry can or bottled water)
• Rubbish bags to clean up your mess (and ideally to leave your camp cleaner than when you arrived)
• Phone charger/portable charger for ensuring communication if needed
• Sunscreen
• Firelighter of any sort
• Fire extinguisher
• Towels for swimming

You also cannot forget to bring a few rolls of toilet paper and a dunny shovel for remote trips or any Code Brown emergencies.

4WD Recovery Gear

If you’re heading off-road, you need to make sure to pack recovery essentials that can help you stay safe and handle any unexpected challenges on the tracks.

Essential Gear

Of course, if you are planning to tackle some 4WD tracks while camping, you have to at least carry a tyre deflator to give yourself more traction, and a recovery kit to help you get out of strife! You can get away with driving slowly to the servo to pump your tyres back up, but we all have an air compressor on board to inflate our tyres whenever we need.

Solo 4WDing

If you are traveling alone off-road, we recommend knowing what your 4WD can handle and not getting yourself stuck trying to drive avoidable obstacles. At least have a pair of recovery boards as a budget self-recovery system, or make sure you have a quality winch if you are planning on driving the harder tracks.

GPS Navigation

Last but not least, navigation equipment like maps, compasses, and GPS devices are essential for any camping trip, but they're especially important if you're camping in a remote location that requires a 4WD vehicle. A portable VMS navigation system is great for finding your way around tracks and making it back to camp if you get lost, but even having the right HEMA map book for your location can be worth its weight in gold.

The Verdict

So, there you have it, folks! Our ultimate guide to camping equipment in Australia, including 4WD-specific tips and tricks we use out on our trips. Whether you have a budget setup or a no-expense-spared 4WD and caravan, we hope this has helped you prepare for your next camping adventure and that you're as excited as we are to get out there and explore the beauty of Australia. We hope to see you out there!