With the vast expanses of Australian coastlines boasting thousands of kilometres of world class sandy beaches, the benefits to knowing exactly how to setup camp on soft sand will give you an unbeatable camping experience that you will never forget.

So if you are new to camping on the beach or you are an old salty seadog looking to modernise your setup there might be something here for you!

1. UV protection

Everyone knows how harsh the Australian summer sun can be, and with all the science and research on the topic, ow more than ever, you have no excuses to not keep the scorching UV rays off you and your family.

When looking for quality beach shelter to get away from the sun, it is important to look for the UPF test rating for the fabric. This rating will determine just what kind of percentage of harmful UV rays are kept out, when testing, the results can range from about 6% UV Light transmission, to less than 2% and range from UPF15 which is adequate, all the way up to UPF50+ which blocks more than 97.5% of harmful UV radiation.

Adventure Kings range of Gazebos and awnings are all tested and rated to UPF50+ UV rating, and are also fully waterproof for when the afternoon summer squalls hit.

PRO TIP: When setting up your preferred beach shelter, don’t forget to anchor it down well to protect it from big gusts of wind, we recommend setting up your awning and gazebo on the downwind side of your vehicle.

Also by using an Adventure Kings sand bag to secure the legs firmly even on even the softest sand, some people even make underground sand anchors from the reusable calico shopping bags and a length of cord.

2. Campsite flooring

The simplest beach campsite floor is no flooring, this is okay if you aren’t too fussy, however there is next to nothing more annoying than getting sand all through your bedding, your clothing, and even into your vehicle.

Many people resort to using something like a cheap poly tarp, this is not the best idea, as a purpose made campsite floor like the Adventure Kings mesh floors are made from a cleaver open weave mesh, and are available in 3mx3m, 5.2mx2.5m and a 6mx3m option. This weave is made from durable poly propylene and automatically filters sand down and through leaving a clean and tidy campsite. An added benefit to purpose made campsite flooring is that because of the mesh, even when it is wet and rainy the water won’t pool on top and is allowed to drain into the sand underneath. No doubt this handy and affordable accessory will prove itself every time you hit the beach.

3. Sleeping setup

To get the absolute best camping setup you definitely need somewhere to sleep. Due to the difficulty of pegging out your setup in soft sand a traditional dome tent may be a poor choice, often not standing on their own you will find it extremely tricky to get it to stay put in a cool sea breeze.

This is where a solid free standing swag like the famous Adventure Kings Big Daddy Swag comes into its own.Built from extremely durable an fully waterproof 400gsm rip-stop poly cotton canvas, this giant swag sets up in seconds, and includes a thick comfortable mattress, and being fully waterproof can withstand a massive downpour.

If swagging it like a traveller of old isn’t your cuppa tea, you can always look at a rooftop tent, built to elevate your campsite up of the ground. A well-made roof top tent like the ones found in the Adventure Kings range have a comfortable 75mm thick mattress perfect for older bones. A Kings rooftop tent also uses a clever design technique called tropical roofing, where an inner and outer roof layer allow air to flow through removing  internal heat from the tent, and on winter nights adds a blanket of air that helps to insulate. These features coupled with massive mosquito & midge proof mesh windows you will be up in the cool breeze enjoying the best summer campsite sleep!

4. Bush tucker

Often overlooked, some of the best meals we’ve ever eaten were in the bush, using a simple camp oven like the Bedourie camp oven or the Aussie Camp Oven. With a simple campfire and basic ingredients you can cook up the heartiest stews, and juiciest roasts with little to no effort, and after a few icy cold beverages from your esky or 12v fridge you’ll be scoffing down on a tasty dinner!

A camp oven is basically a Dutch oven and can be made from cast iron or steel, and is one of the most versatile cooking implements you can use on the tracks. Heated by hot coals from your fire, the lid can even be used as a frying pan for added versatility.

The meals you can prepare in a camp oven, sure do beat the heck out of simple sausage sandwiches specially on longer trips away!

5. Campsite power –

When you have searched high and low for the best campsite and spent time getting everything setup the way you like it, the last thing you’ll wanna do is pack up your campsite due to lack of power. The best way to extend your time at camp is with a solar panel system with a 12v regulator. These systems can range anywhere from $100 to $2000.

Some of the best value 12v solar panels are from the Adventure Kings camping solar panels. The simplest system is the 120w solar blanket, which has enough power to top up your battery system, and will happily keep camping fridges powered and running all day long in the bright summer sun.

PRO TIP: Solar panels work the best when they are pointed directly at the sun, so if you have one at your campsite, don’t forget to check its position every few hours as the suns movement will vary the performance.

These tips are just the beginning to getting your campsite set this camping season, don’t miss out on having the smartest camping setup at the beach with all the right gear from 4WD Supacentre.