The Essential Camping Checklist for a Fun Weekend Outdoors

Despite the pandemic, statistics from studies conducted from 2020 to 2021 revealed that Australians spent more time on coastal or regional camping and caravan trips. And who could blame them? There are so many beautiful sights and adventures to experience in the country, especially when you’re desperate to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. 

Now, every camper has their preferences for travelling. Some like roughing it in the great outdoors, equipped with only the basics, while others prefer loading up their caravan with every item imaginable to ensure their comfort when holidaying.

Of course, even if you’re a casual car camper, you still need to pack some essentials. You must bring a tent, comfortable clothes, a sleeping bag, food, and cookware. To prepare you for a fun outdoor weekend, we’ve created this checklist to help pack everything you need!

For Your Campsite

When setting up your campsite, you will need a shelter, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. For extra comfort, you can also bring pillows and foldable chairs. You should always make sure to check the campsite amenities before packing. Most of the time, drive-up campgrounds have firepits and picnic tables. You may also purchase locally sourced firewood around the area.

Here’s what you need to prepare for your outdoor campsite:

• Tent and tent pegs (make sure your shelter is appropriate for the season)
• A hammer or mallet for installing your tent pegs
• Stabilisation jacks (if you’re bringing your RV)
• A tarp
• Besser blocks
• Headlamps and/or flashlights
• Mosquito netting
• A water dispenser
• A lantern with fuel
• A lighter, fire starter, or matches
• Locally sourced firewood (if it’s not available at the campsite)
• Outdoor lighting like tiki torches or rope lights
• Insect repellent

First Aid Kit and Toiletries

Packing your camping toiletries involves more than just thinking about basic hygiene. Preparing for mozzie bites, blisters, burns, and cuts is best. Even if you can’t quite enjoy a luxury bath, you should still stay clean. After a night in the bush, deodorant and a simple body wipe can do wonders. Here are the basics you need to prepare:

• Face or body wipes 
• Soap
• Deodorant
• Toilet paper
• A small towel that dries quickly
• Hand sanitiser
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• First aid kit, which includes gauze, bandages, tweezers, antiseptic solution, and pain relievers

When packing your toiletries, ensure you opt for biodegradable and organic products. This way, you won’t harm the environment with the chemicals coming from your hygiene kit. Also, bring a clothesline with you. Doing so will allow you to pack less because you’ll have the opportunity to wash and dry your clothes.

Items for Cooking

You’ll create the best memories with your loved ones while enjoying hearty meals around the firepit. When packing the cookware for your trip, you need to consider the meals you will prepare on the campsite. Also, there are different ways to cook your food, and what you bring with you will depend on your chosen method. In any case, here are the basics you should bring:

• A barbecuing plate and grill (for cooking food over a fire)
• A portable cooking stove
• A cast-iron Dutch oven
• A roasting stick or fork for each camper
• An electric or campfire kettle for tea and coffee

Food

It’s always a good idea to plan your meals when packing what you need for your outdoor trip. Freeze-dried soups, oatmeal, hot dogs, and sandwiches are easy options. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can check out our easy-to-cook camping recipes.

You can also create your meal plan around the recreational activities you’ll engage in during your trip. For instance, if you plan on hiking, swimming, kayaking or fishing, you should opt for food that is rich in protein. Think about the weather conditions when you’re preparing your meals. If it’s colder, you might want to eat filling comfort foods. However, something lighter would be better if it’s warmer.

The food you’ll bring will depend on your preferences, but you can start from this list:

• Cooking oil
• Herbs, spices, and seasonings
• Eggs
• Potatoes
• Breakfast meats, such as bacon and chipolatas
• Ingredients for making s’mores (if you’re bringing kids)
• Barbecue meats like sausages, steak, burgers and hot dogs
• Popcorn
• Bread
• Fresh vegetables and fruits
• Muesli bars or snacks for the kids
• Granola or cereal
• Pasta
• Quick cupcake or pancake mixes

Camping Clothes

Even if you’re staying for only the night outdoors, you should always bring an extra set of clothes. You never know what accidents and slips you might experience during your trip. It’s also beneficial to check the weather and pack items that will help you keep dry and warm at night and cool during the day. Here are some items to bring:

• Long- and short-sleeved shirts
• Shorts and pants
• Light jacket for cool mornings and warm jacket for evenings
• Shoes or boots for long bushwalks
• Socks
• Pyjamas
• Sandals or rubber thongs for lounging around the campsite
• Hat
• Sunglasses

Depending on the activities, you should also bring swimwear, a pair of gumboots, or a raincoat.

Get Your Camping Essentials from a Trusted Supplier

Whether you need shelter, furniture, cookware, or camping accessories, you’ll find everything at Supex. As a family-owned business, we offer our customers the best service and premium-quality products at affordable prices. 

Find your nearest Supex stockist today to get your essential camping supplies covered!