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Gear up For Adventure: Explore the Best Camping Gear Australia!

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Whether road-tripping or going on a camping weekend escape, having the right gear can greatly enhance your outdoor experience. From tents and sleeping bags to cooking equipment and lighting, there are so many options available for outdoor and camping gear; it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Explore this article to discover some of the best camping gear in Australia to ensure you’re well-equipped and have the right equipment for your next road trip adventure in the great outdoors. So let’s get going and explore the world of camping gear Australia…

Explore Pop-up Tents, Swag Tents and Roof-top Tents

Pop-up tents, best camping gear Australia

Firstly, shelter is paramount for camping. Having a dry place to sleep with protection from the cold and weather elements is essential while offering comfort.

Next, the tent needs to be achievable to set up and packed up promptly. Luckily gone are the days of taking half a day to set up a tent! I have listed my top picks for Pop-up Tents, Swag Tents, and Roof-Top Tents, allowing for an enhanced outdoor camping experience to suit your needs.

Pop-up Tents

Tents have come a long way in the past ten years, and setting it up is not a half-day job when you have the right tent! We are spoilt for choice with Pop-up tents/instant tents, air tents, and 10-second tents on the market. As fast as a Pop-up or Jet Tent may be, they still require mattresses to be set up and beds to be made. However, tents are available in larger sizes and can sleep more people. Further, tents are affordable and fit in most vehicles.

Tips for choosing a Pop-up Tent: You can select the size to suit your requirements and the number of people you want to sleep. Choose a reputable brand to ensure quality construction, zips and fittings, waterproof fabric and durable mesh screens that will keep sandflies out.

  • Pros of Pop-up tents:
  • Available in a variety of sizes: 2,4 and 6 man.
  • Ability to stand up inside.
  • Can fit in most vehicles.
  • Faster than traditional tents to set up.
  • Cons of Pop-up tents:
  • Need to bring bedding and set up mattresses inside the tent.
  • Flapping and movement in high winds.

Explore Brands of Pop-up Tents

  • Oztent RV – 3 to RV -5 range (10 second tents)
  • Darche Safari Tent 260 or 350
  • Coleman Excursion Instant Up Tent (Budget option)

Swag Tent and Dome Swags

Dome Swag

A dome swag is the go-to camping shelter for us. For ease of setting up, a dome swag takes less than 10 minutes to roll out, set up anywhere, and moved around if needed.

Further, I love having the pillows and bedding in the swag ready, so there is no bed-making or blowing up mattresses at camp. A dome swag can be single or double size.

Tips to choosing a Dome Swag: Ensure you have a good thickness mattress 70mm. Look for a dome height you can sit up in. If the swag is made of canvas, it must be seasoned to waterproof the canvas.

  • Pros of Dome Swag:
  • Fast and easy to set-up and pack up. Freestanding, no hammering pegs.
  • Have your bedding, pillow, and sleeping bag inside ready to sleep in.
  • Rolls up to fit on a roof rack, or in a ute.
  • Versatile: roll out on a small area of flat ground.
  • Good value for money.
  • Easier to keep warm in a smaller space, good in windy conditions.
  • Cons of Dome Swag:
  • Limited space inside if wanting to store clothes or personal items.
  • On the ground, it can get dirty. Use a ground mat to reduce grass and dirt on and in the swag. Please don’t set it up on an ants nest!

Top Brands for Swag Tents / Dome Swags

  • Southern Cross Canvas – Double Dome Swag
  • Crashpad Swag
  • Darche Dusk To Dawn Dome Swag

Hard Shell Roof Top Tent

Best camping gear Australia

Roof Top Tents are a popular choice also for good reason. They can be fitted to any vehicle, go wherever your vehicle can!

Hard Shell Roof Top tents are faster and easy pop open in a few minutes to sleep comfortably with your bedding ready to be slept in! Modern Rooftop Tents have electrical integration, making for a more convenient space with lighting and charge points. The elevation of the Roof Top Tents keeps you up off the ground, which is advantageous in downpours of rain and areas where Estuarine Crocodiles reside…

Tips to choosing a Roof Top Tent: Ensure the width is not too wide for your vehicle and be conscious of the Roof Top tent’s weight on your vehicle’s GVM. Further, installation is required for attachment to your vehicle. Ensuring the installation requirements are met to travel safely on the road is important. Choose a Hard Shell Roof Top Tent for ease of setting up and packing up.

  • Pros of Hard Shell Roff Top Tent:
  • Easy set-up, open the rooftop tent in a few minutes.
  • Have your bedding, pillow, and sleeping bag inside ready to sleep in.
  • On your vehicle wherever it can go.
  • Added comfort better mattress, power and lighting in some models.
  • It is elevated from the ground.
  • Cons of Hard Shell Roof Top Tent:
  • Enter and exit via a ladder.
  • You need to pack up the rooftop tent when you want to drive somewhere.
  • Softshell rooftop tents are more complex and and take longer to set up.
  • Can be difficult to pack up due to the elevation.
  • Added weight to your vehicle.

Explore Brands of Roof Top Tents

  • James Baroud Odyssey
  • Camp King Industries Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
  • 23Zero Saber Hard Shell Rooftop Tent

Finding the Best Sleeping Bag

An essential item is a sleeping bag for a restful night’s sleep when camping or on a caravan driving holiday. When it comes to selecting a sleeping bag, I consider a few key factors. Firstly, prioritize the temperature rating. Australia’s diverse climates demand a sleeping bag that can handle both warm nights and chilly winters. When looking for a sleeping bag pay close attention to:

  • Comfort (warmth) rating to suit the climate. These range from -12 to 10 deg C.  
  • Weight and packability of the sleeping bag.
  • Durability is another essential aspect.
  • Features like insulation type and zipper quality.

Explore Brands for Sleeping Bags

  • Sea to Summit (For entry-level hiking & compact camping)
  • Oztent (For cozy comfort)
  • Coleman (For budget option and warmth)

Sleeping Matt and Self-inflating Mattresses

Choosing the right sleeping mat can help with a restful night’s sleep in the outdoors. Sleeping mats come in three types: Foam, Self-Inflating, or Inflatable mats. Choose a mat or self-inflating mattress to suit your activity that is a suitable size, weight, and warmth requirement.

  • Foam mats: Are cheaper and bulkier but durable.
  • Self-inflating mats: A step up from the foam mattress consisting of a core foam and a pocket that fills with air when the valve is opened. These mats offer a higher comfort level but tend to be heavier.
  • Inflatable mat: Offering great comfort, reduced weight and warmth. Be cautious around sticks and sharp items to avoid punctures. Use a pump sack/bag to inflate the mat, check this is included with the inflatable mat.
  • Self-inflating mattress: These are a good pick for a non-hiking mattress. Consisting of a thicker foam interior that sucks in air when the valve opens allows for extra comfort. Compared to a traditional air mattress, the foam interior helps with warmth in cooler climates. These come in single or double sizes. You don’t need a pump or inflator to inflate the mattress! When rolling up the mattress, the air gets pushed out.

Explore Brands for Sleeping Mats

  • Sea to Summit
  • Therm-a-rest
  • Darche Kozi Series (Non-hiking mattress)
  • (For a budget option)

Camping Ensuite Tents

Camping ensuite tent - Quik-en-suite

If you like to escape the crowds and explore more out-of-the-way camp spots, most likely, there will be limited facilities, like an amenities block.

In this case, you may like to be self-sufficient with your camping ensuite tent to enhance privacy. A camping ensuite can have a shower, chemical toilet, or a private place to change. Pop-up ensuites and ensuite awning tents open from a vehicle roof rack, making them a fast and easy addition to the camping kit.

Which Camping Ensuite Tent? Look for an easy camping ensuite to set up and pack away. The folding pop-up style is a great entry-level ensuite tent, they are erected quickly, but the lightweight and flimsy frames don’t stand well in the wind, and folding them back up can be an effort.

Our ensuite tent was upgraded to an awning ensuite mounted to our vehicle’s roof rack. It folds out quickly, and the corners can be pegged out, if desired, and ready for showers, changing or toilet space. A foam floor mat is an excellent addition to keep you out of the dirt or sand. The awning ensuite is also easily folded and rolled up to pack away in its fixed awning casing.

Explore Brands of Camping Ensuite Tents

  • Quick-en-suite by Quick Pitch (Awning ensuite tent)
  • Coleman Instant Up Ensuite Tent (Freestanding ensuite tent and budget option)

Best Camping Chairs

Enhancing outdoor comfort takes a step forward with the addition of a cosy camping chair.

The choice is overwhelming when buying or upgrading a camping chair. See these tips for buying a camping chair and our article on lightweight and compact camping chairs for more in-depth recommendations.   

When looking at a camping chair consider the following key points:

  • Size and weight. Choose a chair not too big, bulky, or heavy that fits in your available space.  
  • Ease of setting up and folding up
  • Will the chair be stable on uneven ground?
  • Look for comfort. Can your legs reach the ground comfortably? Are the armrests comfortable? is your head supported?
  • Quality construction. Avoid plastic components that break over time or steel components that rust.  

Explore Brands for Camping Chairs

  • Drifta Stockton
  • Snowpeak
  • Yetti
  • Dometic

Camping Cooking Gear

Cooking food outdoors is a big part of making your travel or camping experience more enjoyable. We love cooking on an open fire and feel it’s not an authentic outdoor experience if we cannot have a campfire. Though, there are plenty of times when the gas stove has been a priceless item for cooking various meals and boiling water.  For an in-depth guide to camping cooking gear, see our complete guide to outdoor cooking equipment and the best car fridges for your next outdoor adventure.

Camp Lighting and Headlamps

Don’t forget camp lighting, an essential part of the camping kit. Choose from lanterns, torches, and working lights to headlamps. The variety is enormous. We opt for LED USB rechargeable lighting and headlamps to quickly recharge from your car or RV (Recreational Vehicle) USB port or power pack.  Additionally, a solar-powered camping light is a valuable item with the ability to recharge from the sun! Look for features like hooks, magnets with a light output of 100 or more, and varied light modes, including orange or red lights, to reduce bugs attracted to the light.  

Brands for Camp Lighting

Explore Recreational Vehicles

Best camping gear Australia

For the ultimate road trip rig with enhanced glamping comfort, a Camper Trailer, Hybrid Caravan, Caravan, or Motorhome may be the perfect holiday home or weekender on wheels!

An RV (Recreational Vehicle) simplifies exploration across diverse locations, offering storage solutions and elevated comfort. Explore this overview as a guide to the ultimate exploration rig!

Camper Trailer Overview

A camper trailer is an excellent entry to the RV market. Designed for adventurers seeking comfort and mobility. A camper trailer offers a blend of camping with added features for convenience, enhancing that weekend escape or extended touring road trip.

  • A camper trailer is essentially a tent in a trailer. They are available in a soft floor, hard floor, or forward fold.
  • Camper trailers have one bed, and the forward fold offers two beds.
  • Other features include an outdoor pull-out kitchen with fridge space, storage space, water tank, and an awning for outdoor shelter.
  • A camper trailer can access plug-in power or may have a battery and solar power for off-grid camping.
  • Depending on the brand of the camper, they involve reasonable setting up of the tent and awning. The hard floor camper trailers provide an easier set-up and pack-up.
  • Camper Trailers can have good off-road capability, helping access places with 4×4 access if desired.

Explore Camper Trailer Brands

Hybrid Caravan Overview

Hybrid Caravans are a cross between a Camper Trailer and a Caravan. Hybrids are growing in popularity due to their smaller size, packed with more substantial and comfortable interior features, limited setting up, and open plan outdoor kitchen!

  • Hybrids offer have an outdoor pull-out kitchen with fridge space, storage space, water tanks, and easy awnings for outdoor shelter.
  • Most have an ensuite bathroom. Smaller versions may have an outdoor shower.
  • A Hybrid has a power outlet or may have a battery and solar power for off-grid camping.
  • Limited set up and pack up.
  • Hybrids are smaller than a caravan and can have off-road capability making access to more remote locations achievable with increased comforts.

Explore Hybrid Caravan Brands

Caravan Overview

The Australian dream for many people is to travel to Australia and do the ‘big lap’. A caravan is a great home on wheels with substantial interior space, with many comforts.

  • Enjoy the comforts of home with a kitchen, ensuite, TV, air conditioning, and laundry. Complete with water tanks, storage space, and an outdoor awning.
  • Some Caravans are set up with off-grid power, making free camps achievable.
  • While a modern caravan offers all the comforts of home, the larger size, in width, height, and weight, can cause limited access to car parks, and some roads are unsuitable for caravans and campgrounds may have limitations on large caravans.

Explore Caravan Brands

Motorhome Overview

A motorhome offers an ultimate holiday on wheels, with varying comfort levels and sizes available to suit various needs, from the humble van with a bed and basic kitchen to the dedicated larger RV’s (Recreational Vehicle), offering substantial interior space, varied bed layouts, kitchen, some with ensuite, TV, and air conditioning. They are packed with essentials like water tanks, storage space, and an outdoor awning with plug-in and off-grid power options.

A Motorhome is a wonderful way to enjoy a fly-and-drive holiday, with plenty of hire options from across Australia.

When it comes to camping gear Australia, the options are vast and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a novice camper, investing in quality equipment is key to a successful and enjoyable outdoor experience. From reliable tents and cozy sleeping bags to comfortable sleeping mats and versatile camping chairs, the right gear can make all the difference. Remember to equip yourself with essential camping cooking gear and reliable camp lighting for convenience and safety. And for those seeking ultimate comfort and mobility, camper trailers and motorhomes offer fantastic options. So, gear up, explore the breathtaking landscapes of Australia, and create unforgettable memories with the right camping gear tailored to your needs. Happy camping!

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