Nothing will ruin your camping trip more than having a bad night’s sleep. Whether it’s an uncomfortable mattress, a leaky tent, or even a snorer nearby, if something is keeping you up at night, it detracts from the camping experience and means you won’t enjoy the trip as much as you could. So what sleeping arrangements will suit your style of camping? How can you still have a good night sleep in a variety of different conditions? And what tips have the seasoned campers learnt along the way? With the right knowledge and preparation you’ll be enjoying the perfect nights sleep, under a blanket of stars in the greatest country in the world.

SLEEPING BAGS

When it’s time to purchase a sleeping bag for camping, be realistic! There’s no point buying a top of the range -15 rated model when you’re camping in Far North QLD or paying double the price for a camping sleeping bag that’s 0.5kg lighter if you’re not going lightweight backpacking. Once you’ve decided what you actually need your king size sleeping bag for, you can drastically narrow down the selection. Pay careful attention when it comes to the temperature ratings as they often differ between manufacturers. And make sure the length and width of the bag is a comfortable match before you lay down the cash. Nobody wants an itchy night’s sleep, so make sure you check the material’s texture is right for you. Once you’ve chosen the right sleeping bag, you can enjoy comfortable uninterrupted sleep.  

SELF-INFLATING MATTRESSES

When it comes to a good night’s sleep, you’d have to agree it’s hard to beat a nice self-inflating mattress to lay your sleeping bag down on. These mattresses basically consist of a tough out layer usually made from polyester or vinyl, a nice thick foam inner layer and a few air inlet valves. Just open the valves when you arrive at camp and as the foam expands, the mattress inflates by itself – it’s that easy! The extra thickness means there’s great insulation but the downside is it also means they take up a lot of room. However a quality self inflating queen size mattress can be so comfortable that you can simply lay your sleeping bag for camping right down on top of it for a comfy night’s sleep!

CAMP STRETCHERS

If you’re after luxury, try throwing a self-inflating mattress and your single sized camping sleeping bag over a stretcher bed! This set-up rivals the best around for overall comfort and simplicity. You can either use it inside larger tents or even just roll out your single swag out on top. Not only are they comfortable, you’re also kept up and off the ground giving you unbeatable insulation from the cold and protection from water during rainy periods. And because you’re snugged inside your sleeping bag you’ll be warm the entire night. The only downside to this setup is it can also take up extra space, so you’ll struggle to pack one each for the whole family. If you’ve got the space, a camp stretcher is definitely to be hard to beat as a perfect foundation to lay your sleeping bag down on.

CAMPING COMFORTABLE IS EASY!

At the end of the day, a good night’s sleep can mean the difference between an average trip away and having an absolute blast. The best sleeping bag in the world won’t be much good if you’re sleeping on a hard rocky ground, but on the other hand a sleeping bag can also make or break your camping experience on its own. So it makes sense to adequately prepare to ensure you’re going to be comfortable. By choosing the right equipment for you and putting a little bit of thought into your preparation, you’ll be just as comfortable as you would be at home. But add a million stars to gaze upon, crisp clean air and a fire gently crackling in the background, and you’ll have the best snooze of your life!