Camping is part of Australian culture, getting out in the great outdoors is just who we are as Aussies. We have such a beautiful country why not explore it.  One of the best benefits of camping is it can be for all ages. Ideal for a group of mates on uni holidays or alternatively the infamous grey nomads. The term nomad describes those who move from one place to another, instead of living in one location and then the term grey comes from that fact it is used to describe retired elderly people. Therefore, the term grey nomad is used to describe a retired couple traveling around camping from one place to another. Camping is also ideal for families, many Aussies grow up camping, as it’s a great way to raise your children and build a strong family bond between siblings.

There is so many different types and styles of camping and thus there is a vast array of camping gear one can choose from to get the best out of their trip. 

First and foremost, the most essential part of camping is choosing somewhere to sleep. The most traditional form of sleeping arrangements for the great outdoors is a tent. The best quality version of this is a canvas tent as they offer great weather protection from both rain and heat, but they are also extremely durable which is key if you are going on a large trip. Awning Tents are an extremely convenient and quality option of tent. Great for family’s awning Tents create an enclosed room underneath your car awning.

If canvas tents aren’t your thing, then not to worry there are plenty more options. If you’re looking to do more travel style camping, then a rooftop tent may be more your style. These days with technology getting better and better rooftop tents are becoming extremely popular. The major benefit of rooftop tents is the quick setup, once installed to your vehicle a rooftop tent can be ready in seconds simply pop the latches and there you go your tent, and bedding are ready to go. Rooftop tents come in both hard-shell plastic designs and an aluminium construction.  The benefit of the hard-shell plastic is they are light weight, which is perfect if you are concerned about fuel economy. It is also good to have a lightweight hard-shell Rooftop tent if you are chasing the best four-wheel driving performance. Hard-shell Rooftop tents are also more affordable. On the other hand, although aluminium rooftop tents are more expensive they are significantly more durable. If you are doing a large trip, then durability certainly becomes an important factor if you are camping remotely.

 Maybe tents in general aren’t your thing, in that case you could go for the truest and most traditional form of Australian camping and grab yourself a swag. A canvas swag is a very simple and easy way of camping. Unlike a tent swags allow you to roll your bedding up inside them once you pack them away. This bedding could include a sleeping bag and also a self-inflating mattress. However good quality swags come with premium foam cell mattresses up to 70mm thick.

Camping gear is certainly not limited to a place to sleep, it ranges from the essential equipment you need to survive but then also a full range of luxury gear to make being in the outdoors a breeze.

After you’ve chosen what you’d like to sleep in the next option is shelter. A great option for shelter is a portable gazebo. A gazebo will protect you from the hot Aussie sun during the day giving you a shady spot to chill out. Not only that but a portable gazebo will give you protection from the rain if the weather is less than ideal. Gazebos come with many optional extras for various added benefits and protection. A gazebo side wall will shelter you from the wind and sand when at the beach. It will also block the sun from beaming through when its sitting low in the sky. Alternately a gazebo side wall is also great for sideways rain. If you setup camp in a particularly mosquito friendly area like next to a river or swamp lands then a gazebo mosquito net is a great optional extra for you. A gazebo mosquito net attaches the sides of the gazebo creating an enclosed mesh room for you to comfortably sit in mosquito free.

A car awning is also a great option for shelter when camping in the outback. Attaching to the side of your cars roof rack a car awning is super easy and quick to setup. Simply unzip the bag unroll the canvas and extend the poles. The other benefit of an awning is that it is always there with you. A great addition to a car awning is a mesh floor. Perfect for keeping sand or dirt out of your campsite and sleeping area mesh floors are also great at reducing heat coming from the ground thus making them great for families with young children.

Now let’s talk business, number two’s that is. In Australia we have the luxury of many campsites being fitted with facilities however if you wish to do some remote camping then a portable camping toilet is certainly a must have. In many places a portable camping toilet is a legal requirement in order to camp there. If you don’t wish to do your business in the open then an instant ensuite awning shower tent or a camping shower tent will give you the privacy you need.

A portable BBQ  is a great way to cook up some delicious steaks after a good day of adventuring or alternately if you’re after a bit more style grab yourself a camp oven stove and cook yourself a quality lamb roast. To help prepare your nightly meal an alloy camping table is a perfect portable solution. An LED strip light will help you see what you’re doing under your awning at night.

Camping is an excellent pass time and one that everyone should give a go at least ones in there lives so if you’re just starting out use this guide to help you choose the essential gear you need to enjoy a night under the stars.