14 replies to this topic

[tassiesim]

I have a question for you if you please,
I'm not a very good camper in fact Ive only done it about 3 times , I tend to choose the cabin or caravan option first , yes you guessed it I'm a big sook,
But I have decided to brave the elements and try thing camping stuff again ,
I'm soon to buy a 4 person tent and i already have a good quality sleeping bag but what I would like to know is this, what else do you take with you when camping, I'm quite sure I have a few things in my house that i can add but would like to start a camping container for my car so,
whats in your basic couple of nights away set ,
can you write me a list of things I need to own to survive a night out in Tasmania.
Thank you in advance for all your help.

[Mystic]

You are not necessarily a sook Sim, and good to see you venturing out. Difficult to think off the top of my head of a complete list, but will post what I can think of now, and probably add to it later. It also depends on whether you are going hiking to your site or driving. As you mentioned you wanted this for your car, I assume the latter.

• enamel plates & cups (or plastic, but i prefer the enamel ones as long as you are careful not to knock them against rocks as the enamel can splinter)
• gas cooker comes in handy, the type that run on the aerosol shaped tins, that usually sell in a four pack The cookers are only about $25 to buy and a 4 pack of cans is $6-$10. Some places will not allow campfires, and only this type of cooker.
• Billy
• first aid kit with stretch bandage especially (enough to run from your toes to the top of your leg in case of snake bite)
• Cooking utensils, frypan especially (you can use your billy as a pot)
• Jute - get it from chickenfeed for $2 a ball. It has millions of uses.
• Hatchet.
• Spade (camping stores sell a folding spade/pick for about $15)
• Sleeping mats
• Cutlery

We usually take a plastic basin type thingy with us for washing up and such. A solar shower can be handy, but have generally found it tricky to get enough warmth and direct sun to heat them up sufficiently.

Can't think right now, but I am sure Margie will add to this. It depends on how much you want to take with you, or how little.

[Shane V]

You're not a sook Sim, I think you just like you comfort Here is what I can think of at the moment.

A torch
A tarp
Toilet paper
Water bottles - we take 4, 5 litre bottles for drinking water around the camp and small bottles for going on walks
A warm jacket- to keep warm if it gets cold.
a weatherproof jacket - just in case it rains
Heavy duty foil - for wrapping potatoes
Bags for rubbish
sunscreen and repellent/aeroguard
hat and sunnies
a lighter
fire lighters if you are not good at lighting fires
A set of long handled tongs
A book
Extra batteries

Will add to this as I think of stuff.

[Nikki]

Without meaning to sound like a smart arse ..... FOOD.
Packing food for camping can be tricky, especially if you want to take meat and are going for a couple days.
So my advice is (if you arent hiking) an esky. particularly this time of year when things have a great tendency to go off in the heat.

[Mystic]

I knew we would over look the obvious. be careful if you decide to buy one of the insulated collapsible, zip up bag types. Even the "Thermos" brand is generally a waste of money. We found that after squashing it down in the car boot a few times the seams began to work their way apart and major leaks occurred. If you consider a wangle fangled car fridge, look carefully at the current demands and consider the available energy in your car battery. A car fridge running for any length of time on a small car is likely to have you stranded with a flat battery.

[tassiesim]

ohh I got one of those Esky insulated bags from my oldest son for Christmas, Haha he came up from Hobart to spend Christmas with us and hadn't brought anything for me as yet, so he and his sister went shopping he wanted to buy me a cookbook, his sister looked at him said you really have no idea do you mum hates cooking these days , all she wants to do is go camping again , so tada i got a wonderful shinny new inflatable esky bag

Nikki thanks didn't think you were being a smart arse at all reality is I dont even know what kind of food to use when camping , i just know I need a can opener and knife, that's all I remembered last time I went to go with peaches and tinned rice

This is a whole new ball game for me to learn as Macca;s dont have a camping menu for me lol

[Mystic]

Sim. It is a bugger that the golden arches have not managed to go into the bush yet, isn't it. Personally, I have not eaten at one of those places in many years.

Have you seen the camping recipes ebook that is elsewhere around the site? Might give you a few ideas on things to take and ways to cook. If you use a portable gas cooker, it is not so different to cooking on a gas range. Campfire cooking takes a little more practice, but easy enough to do.

When you get your tent, also get a wax stick (the people in the store will know what that is) use it to go around the seams of your tent and fly (if there is one). Gives that bit of extra protection and waterproofing.

Don't worry too much, when you make it over the west, we will show you some great things to do with a campfire and basic ingredients.

If all else fails, there is always peaches and tinned rice to fall back on LOL.

[Hummingbird291]

If your like me Sim and love eating but hate all the extra stuff that goes into getting it onto the table, I find that I pack easy and versatile ingredients when i go camping, the staple tin stuff, (beans, couple of tins of the prepared meals,) these are just incase my fresh supplies somehow get spoilt, (or eaten by wildlife because someone didnt seal the container properly!) would also recommend that the can opener you take is one of those that doesnt leave a sharp edge on your tins, much easier and safer if you have to cart your rubbish. Fresh supplies of fruit and veg, both can be cooked wrapped in foil on an open fire, (very yummy!!)High Energy Snack Foods that can be carried on walks easy, basically easy to prepare meals are the best, infact last time we went camping my sister prepared a couple of meals,(stew type) froze them in Icecream containers, then used these as iceblocks in the esky to keep our supplies fresh, when they defrosted we just reheated them that night for tea. Also dont forget your condiments, salt pepper seasonings, sauces etc, after all easy doesnt mean tasteless!

[Shane V]

A couple more things to take...

The CAMERA, a car charger if you have one or an extra battery.
pillow and extra blanket
toasting forks, if you don't want a hole in your toast. They can also be used for cooking other stuff, ie sausages.

[the_camera_poser]

I always take a plastic tub big enough to do the dishes in or do a sponge bath if necessary, and folding chairs.

[toni_n_daz]

Try this link....it has 4 different checklists for camping and you would be able to modify it to suit your own needs (eg. no fishing gear).

We used a similar list and changed it to suit ourselves as we take a camper trailer instead of tent (luxury style camping I suppose)

http://www.kangarootentcity.com.au/welcome/page13.php

[toni_n_daz]

This is how we go camping as a family....If I go alone i just use a tent or sleep in the back of the wagon

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[Mystic]

Thanks for the link, could be useful. Looks like a very comfortable setup you have there for the family. I would like to see that fit into a backpack LOL

[toni_n_daz]

LOL.....yeah way to big for a backpack....the annex has full walls also to enclose the front section

[kevin Lim]

Hey sim. addtional list of things to bring in camping. Don't forget to bring a medicine or a emergency safety kit that's in case of emergency. Enjoy and have fun... check out this site for your 4 man person tent. http://besthikingtents.com.au/