Whether you are heading away for your first or 101st trip, a checklist will always help you to figure out what to take camping.
We’ve all been there. Stuck out in the middle of nowhere without your tent pegs, or a torch!
To make your life easier, and so hopefully you won’t suffer a similar fate, we’ve put together a downloadable list of all the essential camping & general gear you will need for a weekend, week or longer away from civilisation.
To us, camping is a very important part of who we are. It allows us to reset and connect with our natural environment. To this end, our style of camping could be considered pretty basic. That’s our style. Others may like a few extra creature comforts.
That’s the great thing about this camping checklist, you can add to it, and personalise it to include your own essential camping gear for when you next pack up your 4×4 and head away.
We have used this list for years, and depending on the trip, modify it to suit. For instance, our trip along the Canning Stock Route required slightly different gear to a couple of days away on Bribie Island.
However you camp, this “What to take Camping” checklist will make your life just that little bit easier.
Before you head away, no matter how long for, make sure you have a first aid kit, adequate food and water, sunscreen and insect repellant in your kit. Check the weather too, to ensure you have packed suitable clothing.
Lastly, just get out there and have fun, and if things do go wrong, remember to pack your sense of humour!
Table of Contents
CAMPING / SLEEPING / GENERAL GEAR
| Camp chairs |
| Camp table |
| Gazebo/awning |
| Tent |
| Swag |
| Groundsheet |
| Pegs (normal and sand) |
| Poles |
| Guy ropes |
| Self-inflating mattress |
| Sleeping bags |
| Sheets |
| Doona |
| Pillows |
| Hammock |
| Head torch |
| Mozzie coils |
| Towel |
| Thongs |
| Hiking boots |
| Clothes pegs |
| Tarps |
| Hammer |
| Spare keys |
| Multi-tool |
| Folding shovel |
| Mosquito net |
KITCHEN / COOKING GEAR
| Dishwashing Tub |
| Rubbish Bags |
| Billy |
| Resealable sandwich bags |
| Gas stove |
| Gas bottles/canisters |
| Plates/bowls |
| Cutting board |
| Bottle opener |
| Fridge/esky |
| Stubby coolers |
| Tongs |
| Sharp knife |
| Tea towels |
| Dishwashing liquid |
| Camp oven |
| Vegetable peeler |
| Cutlery |
| Egg flip |
| Pots/pans |
| Can opener |
| Safety matches |
| Cigarette lighter |
| Paper towel |
| Chux or similar |
| Alfoil |
| Cling wrap |
| Cups/mugs |
| Hotplate/grill for campfire |
TOILETRIES / MEDICAL / FIRST AID GEAR
| Toiletry bag |
| Toothpaste |
| Toothbrush |
| Deodorant |
| Liquid soap |
| Hand sanitiser |
| Shampoo/Conditioner |
| Hairbrush |
| Sunscreen |
| Insect repellant |
| Stingoes |
| Baby wipes |
| Razor blades |
| Shaving cream |
| Paracetamol |
| Ibuprofen |
| Aspirin |
| Prescription medication |
| Cold and Flu tablets |
| First aid kit |
| First aid manual |
| CPR course (up to date) |
| CPR (mouth to mouth) mask |
| Scissors |
| General bandages |
| Snakebite bandages |
| Saline solution |
| Eye bath |
| Latex gloves |
ELECTRICAL / COMMS / NAV GEAR
| USB Chargers/cables |
| Phone/tablet charging cables |
| 12V lighting |
| 12V to 240V inverter |
| Laptop |
| Camera and charger |
| Solar panel |
| Dual battery system |
| Compass (handheld) |
| Sat phone and charger |
| Hema (or similar) GPS, cradle and charger |
| Paper maps/atlas |
| Mobile phone |
| UHF radio (vehicle-mounted and handheld) |
| Charger for handheld UHF (or spare batteries) |
| EPIRB, SPOT or similar PLB |
RECREATIONAL GEAR
| Cricket bat and ball |
| Frisbee |
| Fishing rod and tackle box |
| Bikes and helmets |
| Deck (or two) of cards |
| Snorkelling set |
| Camera |
| Soccer/Football |
| Boogie board/surfboard |
| Kayak and paddle |
| Inflatable flamingo (or donut or watermelon!) |
| Binoculars |
| Australian bird book |
| Native plants of Australia book |
| Sketch pad and pencils |
About the Author:
Hi, I’m Matt. I camp, four-wheel drive, explore the outdoors and get paid to take photos.
I’m happiest when I’m doing all four at once.
Occasionally, I’ll even tap out a couple of words on my keyboard.
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Kerri says
Always a very good idea to have a solid camping checklist. We usually always forget something but having a list certainly minimises it. We carry a notepad with us too, old fashioned I know, as we always find something to add to our lists.
Matt Williams says
A list certainly helps that is for sure. We have built this one up over many years, and you can tailor it to different types of trips/lengths of trips etc. A good notepad is invaluable 😉