When it comes to camping we’ve found that anyone can be uncomfortable but it takes a few smart ideas and some skills to be totally comfortable in all conditions. Camping should be fun, don’t let anything make your time in the bush be anything but awesome. Staying comfortable makes a world of difference and we’ve got a few tips to keep you out there as long as possible.
WEATHER
A sunny day near a river or a star filled warm night around a campfire is always going to be the bee’s knees when it comes to camping; however what’s the go when the weather turns pear shaped? Perhaps the number one downer is rain. Being able to shelter comfortably from rain is paramount. Awnings off 4WD roof racks work a treat, camper trailer awnings and tent vestibules are also brilliant. Regardless of how waterproof your swag is, setting it up under an awning or better still, awning wall, means you can comfortably get in and out of bed even in torrential rain. Keep fire wood under your 4WD or awning as well so that dry wood can always be added to a campfire; it’s is surprising how well a campfire will burn even in poor conditions if the wood is dry.
LIGHTING
Nothing beats an old kero lantern for mood lighting but let’s be honest, they suck. Quality LED strip lights cannot be beaten for making a campsite at night far more user friendly. They pull very little power from a battery system and cast a solid white light a good distance. Given the flexibility of the strip, they can literally be mounted just about anywhere. Don’t forget the dorky old head torch either for more specific tasks or for toilet excursions away from camp.
SLEEPING
Who doesn’t love a good night’s sleep under the stars and doing so puts you in fine form for the next day’s activities? Regardless of your bedding choice, be sure to set-up on level ground with sleeping attire suitable for the conditions you are in. A fitted sheet and pillow make a huge difference as does a rated sleeping bag that will guarantee a warm night. There is nothing worse than a night spent trying to get warm because of poor sleeping arrangements.
FOOD
Sure, a few snags on a BBQ is a great lunch but let’s face it, camping and camp cooking go hand in hand. Master a few quality campfire meals so that the evening feed goes from bread and sausages to the kind of dish your mates talk about for ages. It need not be complex, the old camp oven roast and veggies is a simple example of camp food done right. Nothing beats a roast on a cold and wet night, especially under an awning, with the fire cranking! Check out our lamb shoulder recipe here.
Yep you can sit on the ski, or you can get a camp chair that rivals your lounge at home. Keep in mind how much space you have for storage then try as many as you can in camping shops. You will be blown away by the choice these days but needless to say, there are dozens to choose from. Having a comfortable camp chair to pull up to the fire is camping done right; just try not to fall asleep in it after last drinks are called!