Camping essentials for your next road trip and where you can buy them

Camping gear has been one of the most popular purchases made by Australians in recent Boxing Day and New Year sales, and it’s not hard to see why. Between wanting to get out of the city for a getaway and all the music festivals fast approaching, it seems like Aussies of all walks of life have been wanting to get their camping equipment sorted to make the most of post-lockdown life.

The best thing is, you don’t need to have all the latest gadgets; once you have a few camping essentials, you can already head out on an adventure of your own. We’ve listed some of the highest rated outdoor and camping items on our site, so that you can put your plans into action and hit the road.

Tents · See All

Outdoor Connection Brampton, $829.95

Unless you've got a caravan in tow, then a tent is the ultimate essential for your stay in the great outdoors. Look for one that's durable, weatherproof, and isn't too fiddlesome to put up and pack away.

The highest rated tent on our site, the Outdoor Connection Brampton is a large (and we mean large) single room tent that's high enough to walk upright in. It can sleep up to 12 people (although it's recommended capacity is 10), and has received rave reviews on how easy it is to erect and pack down, as well as how durable it is in harsher conditions.

Portable Fridges and Freezers · See All

Bushman Original SC35-52, $1495

If you're car camping or caravanning, then you've got the option to splurge a bit and eat pretty similarly to how you would at home. That's where a portable fridge and freezer comes in handy - especially if you're camping with a large group or for an extended period of time.

This dual zone portable fridge and freezer has taken out a ieatwords.com.au Award for the last 6 years in a row, so it's no question that it's well loved. It's not hard to see why; it can be powered by either your vehicle's cigarette lighter or by mains power, and it can be adjusted to have different capacities (32L, 45L, or 52L) depending on what you need.

Bushman DC-X Series, $1295

The Bushman DC65-X Portable Fridge (65L).

If you're looking for a portable fridge to mount in a caravan or boat, then the fridges in the Bushman DC-X Series have been Award Winners for the past 3 years. They're designed for harsh Aussie conditions, and reviewers have said that they're hardy and energy efficient in even extreme heat.

Other camping essentials

• A sleeping mat, like the Exped Megamat 10 LXW ($369.95), will save you from sore wake ups if you're camping in a tent. The Megamat is self-inflating, can be carried as a shoulder bag, and according to reviewers, is highly comfortable.
• Having a camping chair is a must if you want to make your spot feel like a home away from home. Reviewers love the Caribee Crossover Chair ($119); it's perfect for taking to everything from a music festival to a long camp, and has been described as lightweight and sturdy.
• A portable cooktop like the Campmaster CM2218B or the Campmaster Ultra Jet Butane Hiking Stove is essential for car campers and hikers looking to make relatively simple meals.
• You'll need a flashlight or torch for evening walks, running to the loo, or cooking under the stars. The torches in the LED Lenser P Series are water and dust-resistant, and reviewers have loved how compact and bright they are. You can get these in a variety of styles ranging anywhere from $29.95 to almost $499.95.

Where can I buy camping gear?

So you’ve looked through the garage, asked friends and family what you can borrow, and made a shopping list of everything else you need for your outdoor getaway. But where do you go to shop? We’ve got some ideas.

Camping Shops · See All

Anything from tents and gazebos to smaller items like portable cookers and camp lights can generally be found at a camping store - here are some with the best reviews.

4WD Supacentre

4WD Supacentre has been a ieatwords.com.au Award Winner in the Camping Shop category for the last two years, with reviewers loving the store’s exceptional customer service and the high quality of the products it stocks. It doesn’t just sell camping supplies at its almost 20 stores across Australia (and online store); you can also find fishing and watersports equipment, 4WD tools and accessories, and a range of other outdoor goods.

Snowy Outdoors

With a 4.7 star rating, 2 physical stores, and an extensive online store, you can pick up anything from camping and hiking gear to 4WD and caravan supplies at Snowy Outdoors for your next road trip. Those shopping online can stress less knowing that reviewers have awarded top points to the store for their quick shipping times.

Tentworld

Those wanting a more camping-specific store with a huge selection of supplies to choose from might find luck at Tentworld. The store sells everything from camping tables and cooking supplies to camp fridges, beds, and mattresses. It also stocks a range of quality tent brands, like OZtrail, Blackwolf, and Outdoor Connection.

Caravan & Camper Trailer Shops · See All

If you’re looking to ditch the tent in favour of something a bit (or a lot) more comfortable - that is, a caravan or camper trailer - then there are plenty of places to start looking that have camper trailers and caravans for sale.

Where you decide to buy your caravan or camper trailer largely depends on what style you’re looking for. For example, often retailers will sell either luxury caravans, or off-road caravans, but not often both.

If you’re looking at a specific model, then you could go straight to the manufacturer rather than looking at retailers that offer multiple brands. For instance, Ezytrail Camper Trailers and GIC Camper Trailers are both stores that are highly rated by reviewers.

However, if you’re looking to browse to see what you like and what you don’t, then stores like Lotus Caravans stock multiple caravan brands for you to look at.