The Ultimate Camping Essentials Checklist

Whether you're planning your first-ever camping trip or just have an upcoming camping trip to pack for, it's extremely easy to overlook an item. And nothing kills the fun of an outdoor adventure quicker than forgetting the basic camping essentials, from forgetting to pack the esky into the car to not having any spare batteries when you need them the most.

When it comes to remembering what to take camping, we understand just how annoying this feeling can be, so we've created the ultimate camping checklist to help you easily remember all the important camping essentials you'll need.

Quick Links

• Common Camping Questions
• Shelter
• Bedding
• Lighting
• Furniture
• Kitchen & Cooking
• Toiletries
• Showers
• Clothing
• Leisure
• Power

Common Camping Questions

Before we dive into the camping checklist, here are some answers to specific questions on what to bring (and not bring) on a camping trip:

What emergency survival items do I need?

Whether you're camping, hiking, out in the boat or 4WD driving, it always pays to be prepared for an emergency. Every survival kit should have these eight essential items:

1. Water
2. Food
3. Hygiene/sanitation (sunscreen, toilet, sanitiser)
4. First aid (check out our in-depth first aid checklist)
5. Communication/lighting (phone, torch, matches)
6. Warmth/shelter (tent, jacket, sleeping bag)
7. Survival gear (multi-functional knife, shovel, cooking equipment)
8. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

What should I not bring camping?

Even though this is a camping essentials checklist, there are certain items that you should avoid bringing camping:

• Glassware: Broken glass is no fun to clean up, so stick to silicone or stainless steel for items like cups, plates and bottles.
• Jewellery: Unless it's a wedding or engagement ring, expensive jewellery is not only unnecessary but will be a nightmare if lost when camping.
• Perfume/cologne: Mosquitos and other bugs can be attracted to these smells, which is also why it's a good idea to avoid scented soaps.

What are the basics I need for camping?

If you are wanting to rough it and just take the bare-bones items, here are the 10 camping essentials you'll need:

1. A sleeping bag for when it's time to bed down.
2. Firestarters for easily starting a campfire.
3. A tent for providing shelter against the elements.
4. A GPS to prevent you from getting lost.
5. A torch, headlamp or lantern to see at night.
6. A pocket knife for tasks like prepping food and trimming rope.
7. A water bottle so you have a fresh supply of drinkable water.
8. A first aid kit to keep you prepared for an emergency.
9. Weather-appropriate clothing such as thermals, a long-sleeved shirt and a raincoat that can cover your backpack.
10. Sunscreen for protecting you from the harsh Australian sun.

Do I need to put a tarp underneath my tent?

There are many good reasons to put a tarp underneath your tent when camping. A tarp will keep away ground moisture from getting inside your tent, protect it from sharp rocks, gravel and roots, and help keep it clean.

What kind of food should I bring camping?

You can bring a variety of camp foods depending on the type of camping you're doing. Dehydrated food is a great option for lightweight campers, as well as nuts and trail mix. For families, your camping list can include meals like chilli, curries and stews. A good tip is to pre-prepare your ingredients in individual containers and store them in an esky or cooler, so you won't be cutting and chopping after setting up camp.

Shelter

The most important thing on your camping list, shelter protects you from the elements and provides a comfortable place to sleep. When deciding what to take camping, here are some great shelter options:

• Camping tents - A double swag tent is a great choice if you're alone, or if you're camping with the family or a group consider a larger tent. Whatever you choose, look for a tent that can be put up and taken down quickly, and provides enough room and protection.
• Camping gazebos - A great choice for shade from the sun and cover if it starts raining. Choose from a wide range of gazebo types, from ones with solid walls to awnings that attach to the side of your caravan.
• Tarp - Placed under your tent, this will protect it and stop moisture from getting inside. Tarps can also be useful for creating extra shelter.
• Tent accessories - A tent isn't much use without tent poles and tent pegs, plus a mallet to hammer them in. Also, a canopy over your tent for extra weather protection, a bag to pack your tent in, and even an entry mat so no one tracks in mud and dirt are all handy.

Bedding

Now that you have your tent sorted, it's time to make sure your camping equipment list includes a comfortable place to sleep.

• Sleeping bag - Lightweight, comfortable, compact and easy to roll up, it can double as a blanket if you choose one that completely unzips.
• Airbed - Enjoy more comfort than a sleeping bag offers. Inflate it with an air pump, or choose a self-inflating mattress
• Sleeping pad - Made from foam-like material, these are typically used with a sleeping bag to provide more thermal insulation and extra padding.
• Stretcher bed - A great choice in a small tent, or if you're sleeping under a canopy or gazebo and want to stay off the ground.

Lighting

The next stop on the camping essentials checklist is lighting, so you don't end up stumbling around your campsite in the dark.

• Lantern - A lantern will create ambient lighting around the campsite, plus they can light up large areas well.
• Headlamp - This hands-free option comfortably straps to your head and boasts an impressive battery life.
• Torch - They also have a great battery life, store easily and are perfect for illuminating only what you want lit up.

Furniture

Now that you've got your sleeping, shelter and lighting taken care of, it's time to decide what type of furniture you want to put on your camping checklist.

• Camping chairs - Kick back in comfort by bringing along chairs with pockets, drink holders or even a built-in table.
• Camping tables - A solid table is perfect for storage, food preparation and sitting at during mealtimes.
• Cupboards - These are ideal for conveniently storing foods, camping supplies and utensils.

Kitchen & Cooking

Camping and cooking go hand in hand, so here is the essential kitchen and cooking gear you should consider on your camping checklist.

• Camping stoves - Boil water, cook ingredients and prepare full meals with stoves ranging from compact hiking models to deluxe grills.
• Camp tableware - It's no fun eating everything with your hands, so be sure to bring bowls, cups, cutlery and everything else you need.
• Camping cookware - If you're cooking up a storm, you'll need cookware like pots, frypans, spatulas and storage containers.
• Camp cooking appliances - If coffee or tea is your camping must-have, consider coffee presses, portable espresso machines or campfire kettles.
• Coolers - Apart from doubling up as a spare seat, a cooler is an essential camping item for keeping food and drinks cold.
• Portable fridges/freezers - More reliable than a conventional cooler, these come in a range of sizes and chill food and drinks longer.
• Camping fuel/fire - Keep your camping stove or grill going with a gas bottle or propane tank, and be sure to bring matches, lighters and firestarters too.

Toiletries

Toiletries are another camping essential for many campers, so you'll definitely want to consider the following camping items.

• Camping toilets - From a simple bucket with a lid to modern porta potties, these will give you a comfortable place to go when nature calls.
• Sunscreen - Top on any Australian camping checklist! Don't let the sun's harsh UV rays wreak havoc on your skin and ruin your trip.
• First aid - Every camping checklist needs a first aid kit with supplies like aspirin, bandages, thermal blankets, cotton buds and wound dressing.
• Insect protection - From a mosquito patch or head net to insect repellent or a zapper lantern, keeping bugs at bay is crucial on a camping trip.

Showers

On a long camping trip, you're going to need a shower at some point. Here are some shower essentials you'll want on your camping checklist.

• Camping shower - If you're roughing it, a portable shower system will keep you feeling fresh. Solar-powered showers are a great option.
• Towels - You can't shower without getting wet, so you'll want a towel, whether it's a standard bathroom towel or a beach towel.
• Shower accessories - From body wash to shampoo and conditioner, make sure you pack all the shower must-haves you'll need.

Clothing

You're going to need at least one change of clothes on your camping essentials list, and you'll want to pack according to what weather you expect to encounter.

• Thermals - If you're anticipating cold weather, a good pair of thermals will provide insulation and help regulate your body temperature.
• Sunglasses - Protect your eyes from the sun's harsh UV rays with a pair of quality polarised sunglasses.
• Hats - Wide-brim hats provide the most protection from the sun, and if it's going to be chilly be sure to bring a beanie.
• Rainwear - Bring a rain jacket that's big enough to cover your backpack, and for full-body protection pack a pair of rain pants.
• Tops - Bring short-sleeved shirts for warm weather and long-sleeved tops for when it gets chilly and to protect your arms from the sun.
• Bottoms - Bring a few pairs of trousers and shorts so you're always prepared. Convertible pants that unzip into shorts are a good option.
• Footwear - Pack durable and comfortable hiking shoes or boots for outings, and sandals or casual shoes for relaxing.
• Jackets - A warm, high-quality coat like a puffer jacket is a must, or for winter camping a good snow jacket will keep you insulated.

Leisure

Now that you've got most of the camping essentials ticked off your list, have a think about how you plan to enjoy the downtime.

• Speakers - If you want to listen to more than chirping crickets and the crackling fire, portable/Bluetooth speakers will keep the tunes playing.
• Camping games - Ideal for entertaining the kids and adults alike, games like Connect Four, Jenga or Pick-Up Sticks are good choices.
• Entertainment - Create your own movie theatre with a portable projector, or use a drone to take breathtaking photos and scout around.

Power

Finally, you're going to need to make sure you have enough fuel, batteries and other power sources on your camping checklist so you aren't caught out.

• Generators - If you're bringing plug-in electrical devices, you'll need an appropriate generator to keep the power flowing.
• Battery chargers/power banks - Pack a battery charger or power bank for recharging items such as your phone, laptop or digital camera.
• Extension leads - If you're bringing a generator, it pays to pack a few extension leads as well so everything can be plugged in easily.

Find All Camping Essentials You'll Need At Anaconda

To make sure you have everything you need on your camping checklist, explore our entire hiking and camping range for all your camping essentials. And once you have your camping checklist all sorted, be sure to check out our Adventure Centre for loads of camping ideas and helpful tips, such as:

• Ultimate Guide To Easy Camping Food Ideas
• Camping Fridges & Coolers Buying Guide
• One Pot Spanish Chorizo Pasta Camping Recipe