Whether you’re heading to the beach, the bush or a hassle-free holiday park, camping trips are practically an Aussie rite of passage.
Many of us remember school holidays spent playing beach cricket, toasting marshmallows over a campfire, waking to the sound of kookaburras laughing in the gum trees outside the tent… the benefits of camping with kids include memories to last a lifetime!
But if you weren’t born into an ‘outdoorsy’ pack—or it’s been decades since you even thought about pitching a tent—where do you start when it comes to making memories with your kids? Never fear, we’ve pulled together the ultimate beginner’s guide.
The first rule of family camping: don’t panic! Start small and remember practice makes perfect. Planning a group trip with friends or extended family also makes things easier. The kids can play together, there are more adult eyes to supervise, and if you’ve forgotten anything – like the bottle-opener – you can always ask a mate.
When is the best time to go camping in Australia?
School holidays and long weekends are the most obvious time to head off on a camping break. But remember campsites are likely to be packed out, and you’ll need to book well in advance. A better option is to choose an autumn or spring weekend (outside school holidays) for your first camping experience.
Don’t forget to account for the season, as the climate can make or break your camping trip! If it’s too hot you might struggle to sleep. Too cold and you’ll be uncomfortable too. Visit areas with rivers, lakes or beaches during hot months; in winter, stick to warmer destinations or holiday parks for more shelter.
How to choose a beginner-friendly campground
There are family-friendly campsites around Australia, in just about every little town, so your choices are bountiful. What’s more, they’re often situated in the most picturesque locations. You’d have to pay a premium for those views at a hotel!
Choose facilities to suit your experience level
For your first few trips, ditch the wilderness and choose a campsite with ample facilities. At minimum, opt for running water and an amenities block. Beginners will also appreciate barbecues, camp kitchens, laundry facilities and convenience stores – great for milk and ice-creams! Beachfront campsites, water parks, pools and playgrounds also help to keep kids satisfied.
Holiday parks are great for beginners
The best camping hack for beginners? Head to one of the hundreds of holiday parks around Australia. With all the amenities you could wish for (plus pools, playgrounds and other activities for the kids) it makes family camping so much easier.
Once you’ve decided where you want to go, be sure to book well in advance, especially for school holiday periods – campsites sell out shockingly fast! Many families have a long-standing booking which has them reserving the same spot during the same week each year.
Work up to bush camping in Australia's National Parks
If you want a more authentic camping experience with only basic services, check your state’s National Parks website for their campgrounds. The spots are usually more remote, quiet, and are consistently beautiful, surrounded by nature. Bush campgrounds can be less crowded, especially since most are not suitable for caravans and campervans.
What to pack for family camping in Australia
There’s a lot to remember when packing for a camping trip! Many regulars have their gear ready to go in a camping box. Others have well-used packing lists – one of which we’ve supplied at the end of this article.
If you’re hiring a campervan or cabin, it’s easy enough to select your preferred lodgings online at the holiday park website. Otherwise, here’s what to bring:
A spacious family tent
There are basically two types of tent: hiking tents, which are small and light enough for folks to carry strapped to their backpacks; and touring or family tents, which are bigger for longer, more comfortable stays.
First timers will want the more spacious family tents which kids and adults can easily walk around in. It’s not much fun squeezing into a tiny tent and having to lie down all day if it rains. It’s a good idea to size up: for a family of four, we recommend at least a five-man tent for a comfortable sleep.
Look for a tent with built-in floors in all rooms to keep out the wet and fly-mesh doors and windows to keep the bugs at bay. A tent with an annex or which separates into two or more rooms is also handy, giving you a space to store gear, food and to take off muddy boots or swimmers, while keeping the second room clean, dry, and cosy for sleeping.
Tents don’t come cheap, so consider hiring before buying to make sure camping is right for your family. Better still, borrow one – you’ll be surprised how many are sitting around unused in people’s garages!
Clothes suitable for camping
Clothing should be casual and okay to get messy in. Be prepared for both cold and hot weather – bed socks, beanies and thermals are comforting additions on chilly nights. In summer, don’t forget the hats and beachwear. Two pairs of shoes are a good idea in case one pair gets wet, as is wet-weather gear, so the family can still move around outdoors if it rains.
Sleeping gear
Choose sleeping bags that are rated to the climate you’ll be camping in or you’ll end up with frostbite or be sweating up a storm. For a good night’s sleep, it’s also worth investing in a sleeping pad or an air mattress.
Another top tip is to use a sleeping bag liner, as it will keep the inside of the sleeping bag clean for longer and adds an extra few degrees to your sleeping bag when needed. On balmy nights, a liner can act as a comfy alternative when you don’t need the full down cocoon.
For good quality sleeping bags, speak to your local camping shop for advice. Don’t purchase the cheap kiddies ones from big name stores; they are more suited to sleepovers inside your house.
Top tips for setting up camp
Arrive early to ensure you get a spot, and before it gets dark, so there’s time to erect your tent. Before you leave, try setting up your new camping gear in the backyard. Get the kids involved and excited, and take photos and videos on your phone for a handy reference.
If borrowing a tent, ask for a detailed description of how to assemble it. You may even find video tutorials on YouTube! If you get into trouble, just ask your neighbouring campers for help – they’re usually a friendly bunch.
If you like the idea of sleeping under the stars, but that all sounds like too much effort, some campgrounds include pre-erected family-friendly glamping tents complete with camp beds and blankets – so you can get back to nature in comfort without lifting a finger.
A beginner's guide to camp cooking
Cooking is one of the joys of camping – food just tastes better outside. Here’s what you need to know to nail it:
- Check what cooking facilities are available at your campsite. Open wood fires are rarely permitted these days, so if there’s no kitchen or barbecue, invest in a small two-burner gas stove. It’s big enough for family feasts but small enough to boil water for your morning coffee.
- Pack your esky with ice, ice-packs or frozen goods and replenish at the convenience store. Store other food safely in plastic containers, in the tent or in the car to avoid animals nibbling on it during the night.
- A few nights before you leave, fill plastic bottles with water and place them in the freezer. They are a great substitute for ice blocks inside your cooler, and when they melt, you’ll have access to cool water.
- When planning your menu, don’t over-complicate things. Stick with baked beans, bacon and egg rolls or cereal for breakfast; a piece of fruit for morning tea and sandwiches for lunch. For dinner, pre-prepare your meals and simply heat them up at night.
- Don’t underestimate the tastiness of fresh meat and veg tossed in olive oil, seasoning and thrown on the barbecue. Marinate meat and freeze it prior to departing, as well as cutting and chopping ingredients.
- Popcorn is a great camping snack; it’s small, light and watching it pop will amuse the kids. Dried fruit and nut mixes are a good pick-me-up for the young ones and lovely to nibble on with a drink before dinner.
- Find out if fresh drinking water is available at your campsite. If not, be sure to bring plenty for drinking plus hot chocolate, tea, and coffee to warm yourself up morning and night.
And treat yourself! You don’t have to stay bound to your tent for eating. It’s almost compulsory to visit the local fish and chip joint, so grab yourself some seafood and have a picnic at the local beach or park. For the first night, consider picking up prawns en route for a yummy and easy dinner.
Responsible rubbish disposal
Remember to practice sustainable travel and minimise your environmental impact. Take plenty of garbage bags and dispose of them regularly at a designated rubbish drop point to keep the campsite clean and to deter animal visitors. If there’s nowhere to dispose of trash safely, store it in your car and take it with you when you leave. Make sure you take recyclables like plastic bottles home too.
Avoid polluting the environment
Don’t wash your dishes (or clothes) in a river or stream; this can release harmful chemicals into waterways. Carry water away from streams or lakes, and use small amounts of biodegradable soap.
Australia's best beginner-friendly camping spots
BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park
Two hours’ drive south of Sydney, camping at BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park brings the whole family together. Book early to snag one of the coveted sites with uninterrupted beach views! As well as enjoying the sand and surf, families can play cricket, go fishing or head out to see the region’s famous Blowholes and walking tracks.
Kid-friendly camping is a breeze here with handy amenities: two huge camp kitchens with fridges and undercover seating, beachfront barbecues, a pool complex with waterslides, and multiple playgrounds to boot. The Breakaway Café and Mini Mart has mealtimes covered, from your A.M. coffee to fish and chips on the beach (and those all-essential holiday ice-creams.)
READ MORE: Where to eat, stay and play in Kiama
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
Right near the theme parks, BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park has 156 campsites, ranging from unpowered sites to sites with ensuite bathrooms. Families who like a bit of novelty can opt for a stylish Safari Tent, which sleeps up to six people. Each is complete with a claw foot bath on the verandah, four-poster queen bed, bunk beds and a kitchenette. Facilities for all ages here include the monster water park, resort-style pool, sustainable playground, basketball court and a kids’ club on weekends and school holidays.
READ OUR REVIEW: 13 reasons we love BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain
Keen for a rugged outdoor adventure? Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain is the perfect base to explore Tasmania’s Central Highlands, where you can hike the family-friendly trails and see adorable Tassie devils. Powered and unpowered campsites are available here—but if your tent is no match for a snowy Tassie winter, opt for a cosy cabin instead. Sleeping a family of four or six, each comes with an electric or gas heater and an electric blanket on the main bed. Toasty!
READ MORE: How to do Tassie’s Cradle Mountain with kids
NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park
From the world-famous penguin parade to Australia’s largest fur seal colony, Phillip Island is a wildlife wonderland. Camping at NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park blends unlimited outdoor fun with parent-friendly amenities. Walking distance from the town of Cowes, the park offers a seasonal campfire, wood-fired pizza oven, rec room, playground and giant board games to play on the lawn. A kids’ club runs during the Victorian school holidays.
READ OUR REVIEW: Wild times at NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park
The ultimate family camping checklist
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping mats and pillows
- Tent (with all its pegs and poles)
- Water containers
- Stove and fuel
- Food
- Matches
- Plastic plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery
- Pot with lid, frying pan, billy, tongs, knife, cutting board, stirring spoon, metal spatula
- Serviettes, tea towel, wet wipes, garbage bags
- First aid kit
- Torch and batteries
- Lantern (battery powered are safest)
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Clothes, towels and essential toiletries
- Bucket, sponge and detergent for washing up
- Dustpan/brush for sweeping tent
- Shovel
- Hammer
For fun:
- Camera
- Playing cards
- Balls/ frisbee
- Books and magazines
- Notebook and pencil
Content contributors: Tonya Ward, Dan Campbell
Proudly sponsored by our partners BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park
