Summer camping essentials for Queensland
List
By Kim Barnard
When the weather warms up and you’re itching for a getaway, camping is an excellent choice. Being surrounded by trees and leaves, and having pristine views just steps from your tent, is an experience like no other. You’ll be able to connect with nature and your company—creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether you want the outback or ocean at your doorstep, Queensland has a camping spot for every type of explorer. Venture offshore for a little island time, pitch a tent somewhere remote, go off-roading 4×4 style, or even bring your furry friend along.
Before you head out to your chosen campground, it’s important to have all the essentials. That way, you don’t waste any time travelling around the local towns searching for supplies.
Follow this summer camping checklist, and you won’t forget a thing.
Health and hygiene
The motto ‘slip, slop, slap’ is one you want to follow when wandering the wilderness under the lovely (but harsh) Queensland sun. Ensure your sunscreen is SPF 50+ for optimum protection, and water resistant, so it doesn’t wash off when you’re keeping cool in the nearby waterways.
While the chirping of birds makes for a wonderful camping soundtrack, buzzing mosquitoes ready to bite—not so much. Make sure to pack insect repellent and mosquito coil to save yourself from being itchy (and to preserve your peace and quiet).
Some campsites aren’t equipped with toilet necessities, so bring along your own. Hand sanitiser and toilet paper is something you’ll definitely miss if you don’t have it!
Lastly, have a first-aid kit handy. You’re in the wilderness after all, so if a bug bites you or a branch scratches you—you’ll be able to sort it out in no time and keep on exploring.
Dress code
The key to your summer camping wardrobe is to pack cool, lightweight clothes. Have a read of your clothing tags and pack the ones that say cotton, linen, chambray or rayon—these are nice breathable fabrics that will keep sweat at bay.
For your feet, bring a few options for your different activities. Thongs for lounging around the campsite, runners for walking in the wilderness, and water shoes to protect you when exploring the wonderful waterways (such as creeks, streams and lakes).
Speaking of water, don’t forget your togs! Hats (whether floppy or caps) and UV-blocking sunglasses are also staples on the summer camping checklist.
Setting up camp
Photo by @moredirtlessbitumen
To make your camp zone your temporary home, it’s important to bring your shelter, bedding and artificial light (so you can see your surroundings after the sun sets).
A water-proof tent is the best option, to ensure you and your clothes don’t get wet if it rains (which is likely as summer is our wet season). A foam or blow-up mattress will keep your back off the hard ground for a comfy night’s sleep. And don’t forget the pillows and sleeping bags! Using your backpack and its contents as cushioning may seem like a space saver, but will likely give you a stiff neck.
Your phone flashlight isn’t going to cut it when camping. So bring a trusty torch (more the merrier) with spare batteries, and a lantern and/or lamp to light up your site.
Whether you’re camping out for the long weekend, or staying for a week, why not bring a tarp for some shade, comfy camp chairs and a fold-up table to really make the place feel like home.
Camp kitchen
When camping, it’s a given that you’ll need to bring the pantry along so the crew doesn’t get hungry and can refuel for each adventure. Plus, lots of water so no one gets dehydrated.
Before heading off to your campsite, do a quick search online to see if you’ll have access to clean running water, or if it needs to be treated (e.g. boiled) before drinking. If yes, still bring your own—it’s better to have too much water than not enough. When packing water, make sure to take into consideration how many people are going, how many days you’ll be away for, and how much you’ll need for cooking and cleaning.
Foodwise, stock up on non-perishables that won’t spoil. Think canned tuna, spaghetti, baked beans, soups and noodles. Even fruit can be bought in cans, so if you have a sweet tooth, this is a great option! For snacks, the list is almost endless—crackers, biscuits, nut bars, rice cakes, and non-bruising fruit are a few excellent options.
If you want to bring refrigerated foods (for a summer barbeque, perhaps), you’re going to need something more heavy duty than a cooler bag or esky to keep them from going off. Ice boxes are the reigning champion of taking cool foods camping. They can keep food fresh for a couple of days to a week, depending on the size and the design.
Cooking
Even without your usual kitchen, you can still cook up a storm with the right equipment. A gas stove or portable BBQ will do the trick, and investing in one of these won’t break the bank. You can pick up a gas cylinder and stove attachment for less than $100, and a portable BBQ for less than $500.
If cooking over the fire is more up your alley, a standing plate and a grill or tripod will come in handy. Make sure you have water and a fire extinguisher on-hand just in case.
Other cooking supplies on the summer camping checklist range from eating to cleaning utensils. Be sure to pack cutlery, bowls and plates, cups and mugs, pots and pans, stirrers and ladles, matches, lighters, extra gas, dish soap, paper towels and rubbish bags. If there are no bins on site, make sure to take all your rubbish home with you and leave only your footprints behind.
Entertainment
When you want a break from all the walking and exploring of your breathtaking destination, having games to whip out and play with the crew is a wise camper move.
From the comfort of your campsite, you can enjoy a cricket or soccer match or a frisbee-throwing competition. If you want to take the fun to the water, bring some fishing gear and equipment to sail the seas, such as surfboards/boogie boards, kayaks, tubes and inflatables.
If you’re looking for a little downtime, play a board game or grab a good book and read among the trees.
Although technology isn’t an essential when camping, having portable speakers to bust out some beats is a great way to get into holiday mode.
Last but not least, make sure you bring your camera (or at least make space on your iPhone) because you’re going to want to capture this awesome adventure to look back on in years to come.
