r/OutdoorAus • u/Intelligent-Two-8831 • 12d ago
Beginner Camping
Good afternoon.
I'm new to camping, have literally no gear nor do I have the right type of vehicle to get my bush bashing - any one have tips on starter gear and equipment for basic camping?
Looking to get started for myself (31m) and my son (2.5yrs old) so we can start spending some quality time together.
Located in Queensland in the Moreton Bay region
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u/Personal-Process3321 12d ago
Hello fellow parent! I too have a 2.5yr old and let me start by saying hell yes!
I've now done about 6-7 trips with him and he LOVES it, we have absolutely the best time!
I used to be a hiker camper but we started our journey car camping in our i30 with him at simple camp sites and recently got a 4x4. We will do a on foot backpacking trip probably next winter.
You will likely not get stuff perfect the first time. Just buy some basics for cheap or borrow. See what you like and how you like to camp. More light and simple, more luxurious, etc etc.
Once youve done a few trips then youll have a better idea and can start buying your long term gear.
The important thing is to be safe safe but just get out there and do trips, make those memories! Keep it simple to start and just go from there.
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u/Intelligent-Two-8831 12d ago
What activities do you do with your 2.5yr old when you're out?
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u/Fearless_Maximum_117 11d ago
When our daughter was little we did the same stuff we do now pretty much (she’s 10) eg. going to the beach, bush walks, messing about by a creek, skimming stones, collecting sticks for a fire, roasting marshmallows, cooking together, and spotting birds/animals/bugs. Action figures, toy animals, trucks, dolls, cars and so on are perfect for playing with in the dirt or in rockpools or the creek. I’ve seen a lot of kids at campgrounds building elaborate tracks for their little diggers.
When your little is a bit older they’ll probably enjoy going on night walks to look for owls and so on with a torch.
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u/Brendannss 12d ago
If you say your carsnot for bush bashing, what type of vehicle are you talking a sedan or wagon ? Because the easiest would be get a matress and sleep in the car, you already have a roof and security. Try that and go from there. Otherwise a tent and some matresses would be a start. Good luck with your journeys, most of all have fun.
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u/Intelligent-Two-8831 12d ago
Toyota Corolla hatchback
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u/get_in_there_lewis 11d ago
That should be big enough for you two to crashing for night. Guy at my work goes camping in a Honda jazz. He folds all his seats down with an air mattress but he also has a roof pod to keep everything when it's bed time
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u/mopoke70 11d ago
So long as your car isn't snake belly low you can get a surprisingly long way from civilisation... I'm sure the off-road 4wd industry is mostly a scam to bleed bogans out of their paychecks for a bit of wank. My first car was a 1970 corolla, 30+ years ago I took it on tracks my nephews won't go down now without a lift kitted Ranger... Maybe invest in a cheap 1 ton come-along ratchet winch and a strap, (I have one - never used it).
Car camping makes things relatively easy - weight of the gear isn't really an issue - and you can get a tent that you can stand up in! Be mindful of keeping the "footprint" of your tent to what you need, finding a level space for a large tent can be a challenge. A tent that's simple to set up and pack up makes the experience more enjoyable.
FWIW I think keeping your gear minimal keeps the stress down and working out what you really need is part of the fun. Make a list of what you think you'll need and refine it as you go.
BTW you need a chair! Nothing worse than a roaring campfire and nothing to sit on...
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u/popssauce 10d ago
This is great mate well done. I’ve been camping with my son since about that age and now, because we started early, it’s his favourite thing to do. Plenty of people have given good advice about gear, all I would add is, don’t worry if it doesn’t go perfectly the first time. Camping is one of those things you refine over time - the more you do it, the easier it gets and the more the realise what gear works for you.
For the first few times, go to somewhere with BBQ facilities and toilet blocks, so you can just concentrate on getting your tent/sleeping right and have as much fun as possible. Then once you’re confident with the tent/sleeping, maybe buy a stove and try out that part. No need to go fully off grid right off the bat - especially with a 2.5 year old.
Don’t forget to buy a head torch for both of you. Lots of the fun will just be exploring in the dark/ looking for bugs etc with torches on. He’ll love it.
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u/plswakeupjeff 9d ago
I have done camping from both a full 4wd off-grid set up and my little hatchback. You can get to a lot of worthwhile campsites in a 2wd.
The absolute basics that I'd recommend picking up would be a picnic set, Esky, tent, $25 Gasmate cooktop, sleeping bag and lighting. Most things you can get cheap second hand. Don't fret too much on what kind of shelter to buy initially. I started with a pop-up tent from K-Mart, and quickly upgraded to a decent instant tent once I realised I enjoy camping. You'll find that your set up will evolve over time, especially once you see other people's set ups and incorporate what you like into your own. Even years later, my 2wd hatchback set up has only changed a small amount, by adding a lithium battery box, fridge and table. I enjoy it just as much, if not more, than my fully decked out 4wd (especially the tiny fuel bill).
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u/No_Bag_9911 12d ago
You could start easy, especially with a kid. Try booking a campsite in a national park that has toilets
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u/brohymn1416 11d ago
Research and buy second hand good quality gear. Lots of people even give away stuff for free. Op shops are great too. I've pretty much got everything from one of these sources with the exception of a few cheap additions from Kmart or Big W.
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u/skipyeahbuddy 11d ago
There are plenty of camp grounds in town with camp kitchens and toilet blocks that you could start with. Munna Point in Noosa is beautiful, Adder Rock and Cylinders Beach on Straddie. Lots of fun to be had playing in the sand and swimming, there are playgrounds nearby. Camp kitchens will save you buying any cooking gear straight away, Just take utensils and plates, etc. Get yourself a tent, up to you if you want to get something a decent size to grow into or just start small and upgrade later, there are lots available on market place second hand. Self inflating mattresses are my choice to sleep on, one big one or two singles, just be sure they'll fit in your tent. I just take blankets and sheets from home when I camp. An Esky for food and drinks and a couple of basic camping chairs will get you started. After that you can start checking out other people's set up and decide what you would like to add.
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u/DaLadderman 10d ago
85% of camping spots don't require a 4x4 and 99% don't require bush bashing to get there
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u/Joshin1982 11d ago
Recently did all of this with my 3 year old. Be prepared to packup and head home if it goes sideways.
Had a 4 person tent. Bought queen inflatable mattress, used sheets from home. Had weber baby q. Took utensils from kitchen. Had small fridge used it at a powered site, esky would be fine. Had gazebo. Bought extra tent pegs, camping cooking gear, 25l water storage, 2 x ground sheets for under tent and gazebo. Took the kids bike, fishing rods, swimming gear. Camped at Goomburra Valley, kid Had the best time of his life, i spent the whole time setting up camp, cooking, chasing kid down.
Was worth all the effort to have the kid have so much fun. Took the wife the 2nd time to Bigriggen, she didn't get the appeal, but we cooked cracking pizzas in the weber with a pizza stone.
Give it a crack, see what works and what doesn't, them buy small pieces of gear as toy go. So far everything I have purchased can be repurposed if we stop camping tomorrow. Have a caravan trip planned before end of year, we're going to hire one and take most of the gear we've used with us. It is so great for the kids to experience Australia this way, burns the energy beans very well and we were passed out in bed before 8pm each night.
Enjoy it !
Also camping gear guide and Ronnie Dahl both have basic camp gear videos on YouTube for what are good starter setups.
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u/Mammoth-Jelly-7617 11d ago
Don't over think it. For a 2.5 year old the novelty of going away and sleeping with dad in a different place will be exciting in itself. You can get a cheap tent from anywhere, take any old foam mattress you have lying around, doonas and pillows from home. Dont forget favourite toys and blankets, bed time books. You can stay in a caravan park so that you have a toliet to go to and some play equipment, or go to a national park if you want it a bit wilder. Only go if its reasonable weather - camping in the rain is miserable for anyone, especially a toddler. Don't plan too much - we may enjoy bushwalking, but kids like nothing more than just mucking around in the dirt. A fire is great but you need to watch them like a hawk.
You can even have a trial run in your backyard ( if you have one) to get a feel for it first.
First time I went camoing with my daughter she freaked out in the middle of the night and we drove home at 2 am lol. But she loves it now.
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u/yohopenno 11d ago
Get a cheap stretcher tent and self inflating mattress from Anaconda. The mosy quick, comfortable, and space saving set up.
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u/4PointTouring 11d ago
Your car doesn’t matter. Plenty of places are 2wd accessible.
Head to a place with facilities and you really don’t need much gear to get started. Try a small caravan park first and use their camp kitchen to cook.
Tent, mattress and a chair is all you need. Plenty of good second hand gear for good prices out there
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u/morgecroc 7d ago
If this is first time camping and not sure if you got everything. Get the basics others have listed and go camping in your backyard.
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u/Jcs456 12d ago
Don't stress about the car, there are plenty of spots that don't need 4x4.
First off I'd look for a tent. I'd suggest something like the coleman instant up, it's probably bigger than you need right now but with a little one you tend to have a lot of stuff. There are plenty of other options and budgets it just a starting idea.
For bedding I like a self inflating foam mat (dune 4wd mat as an example) if it's going to be cold I use foam titles from Kmart underneath to insulate the floor a bit. Sleeping bags to suit the weather as well obviously.
You will need chairs.
Then decide how you are going to cook. Personally I just use a camp over, a grill plate over the fire and a jetboil for boiling water to cover my cooking needs. Portable butane burners are cheap and useful.
Finally an Esky and another "pantry" box for utensils and other food.
That's the basics really. Everything else is personal preference. I'd recommend a head torch as well they are super handy around camp.