Family camping guide and checklist

Don’t overlook the easy things – baked beans, bacon and egg rolls, sandwiches; cereal for breakfast; a piece of fruit for morning tea. Don’t forget plenty of water 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 compulsorily to visit the local fish and chip joint, so grab yourself some seafood and have a picnic at the local beach or park.

Check your campsite to determine what cooking system you’ll be using. We recommend taking a small two-burner gas stove; it’s easy to operate, large enough to accommodate family feasts, but small enough to boil water for your cup of coffee in the morning. Don’t depend on being able to light an open wood fire: these days it’s an exception rather than a rule to find campsites where open fires are allowed. More and more insist on gas cookers

Rubbish

Remember to plan for your rubbish disposal. Take plenty of garbage bags and dispose of them regularly to keep the campsite clean and to deter animal visitors.

Storage

The must-have food storage item is the esky. Pack it with ice, icepacks or frozen goods to keep it cool and replenish as needed at the convenience store. Other food should be stored in plastic containers or safely in the tent or car to avoid animals nibbling away at it during the night.

Camping Checklist

1. Sleeping bags
2. Sleeping mats and pillows
3. Tent (with all its pegs and poles)
4. Water containers
5. Stove and fuel
6. Food
7. Matches
8. Plastic plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery
9. Pot with lid, frying pan, billy, tongs, knife, cutting board, stirring spoon, metal spatula
10. Serviettes, tea towel, wet wipes, garbage bags
11. First aid kit
12. Torch and batteries
13. Lantern (battery powered are safest)
14. Mosquito repellent
15. Sunscreen
16. Clothes, towels and essential toiletries
17. Bucket, sponge and detergent for washing up
18. Dustpan/brush for sweeping tent
19. Shovel
20. Hammer

For fun:

1. Camera
2. Playing cards
3. Balls/ frisbee
4. Books and magazines
5. Notebook and pencil