A Mugs Guide to Camping

Camping is a fun, low cost way to see Australia. Best of all, camping is a great way for family and friends to spend time together. If you haven’t been camping before, you’re probably wondering where to get started. So here’s a guide for the novice camper that makes it a whole bunch easier!

Where to Go
The first question is where to go. There are lots of places you can camp including caravan parks, State and National parks, designated camping grounds and private property (with permission). You will often be charged a fee for camping to cover maintenance and facilities, but it is generally quite affordable. Here’s a couple of websites where you can find a camping spot where you want to be.

http://www.exploroz.com
http://www.camping.com.au
http://www.aussiecamping.info

What to take
First you’ll want something to sleep in, and on – like a sleeping bag and a mat. Make sure you get one that’s rated for the temperature it will be where you stay. A reasonable sleeping bag will give you years of service and a good nights sleep too! A sleeping mat will make your sleep a lot more comfortable and warmer. They come in rigid foam or inflatable. For a really great night’s sleep try a camp stretcher. Click here for sleeping bags, stretchers and airbeds.

Next you’ll need a tent. There’s a huge range of tent sizes and shapes. There’s two major types: Canvas and Domes. Canvas tents are more traditional styles and domes are igloo shaped or a variation on that theme. With a Dome tent you get a lot for your money. Canvas tents are very durable and great for a longer term camping. Just make sure you pick a tent that is big enough for the number of people and have a practice at putting it up at home before you begin your adventure.

At Aussie Disposals we have a tent that’s ideal for you. Ask our staff, click here to view a full range of tents, or visit these tent superstores:

Dandenong
Toowoomba
Cheltenham
Frankston
Bendigo
Ballarat
Melbourne

You might also want to take some folding chairs to sit on while you soak up the serenity. It’s a lot more comfortable than sitting on the ground. A table to eat off is also handy, and Aussies has a range to suit any camper. Click here to see a wide range of chairs & tables.

Save sitting in the dark with a light to keep your campsite lit and easy to maneuver around. Nothing is worse then coat-hanging yourself on a guy rope, or cooking in the dark. Click here to see a wide range of lights.

Eat like a king in the bush with a BBQ to cook up your daily catches and hidden away snags and steaks. Who said camping included eating raw fish and cold tinned food? With a portable BBQ to suit your camping needs you could have the most popular site in minutes. Click here to see a wide range of BBQs and cookwear.

What to wear
Aussie sells a wide range of clothing to tackle any camping adventure and climate. From ski jackets to shield out the winter cold, to tough military gear to protect against the roughest of trips, Aussies can have you geared up to embark upon any journey with comfort. A good weatherproof jacket, some appropriate shoes or boots, a fleece jumper or similar and a hat are a good starting point.

Layering is a really great way to deal with changes in temperature, so a t-shirt or thermals, an overshirt , a pullover or fleece, then a jacket will give you enough layers to deal with everything from heat to a blizzard. A hat will protect you from the sun and keep your head warm in the cold. Don’t forget, most of your body heat escapes via your head, and sunstroke can be a real downer on a camping trip, so keeping your head warm and protected is very important.
Click here for a wide range of clothing.

What to eat
First, make yourself up a “tuckerbox” with basic staples and condiments like salt, pepper, cooking oil, vegemite, tea, coffee, sugar, sauce and whatever you like to have on hand. If you put this in a sealed plastic container it can be re-used for later camping trips. Don’t forget essentials such as cutlery, dishwashing detergent and paper towels as well as these make a camping trip a whole lot easier!

Now you just add the meals. Bread, milk, butter, meat and other bits can be bought along the way usually, but you might want to bring things like cereal, pasta, flour, biscuits and snacks to get you started. An esky is a great, costs-effective way to store all your fridge type items. You can user freezer blocks or ice to keep it all cool. Blocks will last longer; try freezing water in milk cartons and line the bottom of the eski with them to keep all your goods cold.

Don’t forget that you’ll need a container for your water. It needs to be big enough to hold all your water but small enough to pour from. Many campsites have drinking water available, so check before you go.

How to cook it
Cooking over an open fire is terrific but for most camping a portable gas stove is quick, convenient and less messy. There’s a huge variety of gas stoves, bottles, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery all available for camping. Ask an Aussie Disposals staff member for help in choosing what you need. Just don’t forget the matches! Try cooking in a camp oven; its easy and you can create some amazing dishes! Click here to view a wide range of cooking gear.

When to go
In the southern states you’ll want to avoid winter camping. Save it for warmer nights and sunny days. Up North it’s the reverse – you’ll probably have the best weather in the middle of the year. There’s always somewhere nice to camp in Australia! If you’re travelling during peak periods, especially school holidays, you might need to book a campsite in advance so make sure your ring ahead or check the web.

Things to do
There are so many things to do when camping – just setting up camp and cooking and enjoying the open air can be enough. But if you’re adventurous, here’s a few options:

Go for a walk. Don’t try mountain hiking on your first try, just take a relaxed walk. A forest trail, along the beach – even through a town. There’s plenty to see and enjoy as you relax and kids love it. Take some binoculars and turn it on to a fauna event – see what wildlife you can spot. Don’t forget a backpack to carry all your daily necessities. Aussie Disposals has an array of backpack styles and models to satisfy every camper; from mountain hiking packs to small day carry bags.

Fishing. Whether you’re inland or by the sea, there’s almost certain to be some fishing available. It’s a great way to enjoy your sled, kids love it and there’s nothing nicer than fresh camp cooked fish! Check with the locals to see what’s best and whether you need a license.

Cooking. Practice your camp cooking either on the gas or an open fire and perfect your camp side meals. There’s lots of easy camping recipes and for a spectacular meal try cooking in a camp oven.

Things to think about
No-one likes to plan for an accident but they do happen. A small first-aid kit is great to have on hand for everything from small scratches to bigger problems. Likewise, some fly-repellent and sun screen should be on the “must-have” list.

We’ve made it easy
To help you get started, we’ve made a checklist of the things you might need for camping. You can download it and even print it out. Don’t forget Aussie Disposals have experienced staff in every store ready to help you, so don’t be frightened to ask for their help.