So, you’re planning a trip around Australia and are unsure what to pack? If you are planning on ‘roughing’ it with a tent and your entire life needs to fit inside your vehicle, this camping checklist is for you.
Here at Lapping Oz, we know what is like to live in a 4wd and tent while travelling around Australia. We lived like this for 16 months (pre kids) on our first big lap of Oz.
Travelling this way has huge advantages over towing a trailer or caravan. You’ll be able to camp in more remarkable places and you’ll have loads of freedom in choice of campsite. For a couple travelling Australia, a tent is the most easiest and cost effective way to discover everything this country has to offer.
Lapping Oz Camping Checklist for an Epic Lap around Australia!
Absolute Must haves for your trip –
____ Hat. To protect your face and eyes from the sun. Also handy for hiding the hair you haven’t been able to wash for 5 days.
____ Thongs. Get a good pair of thongs because they are going to clock up loads of Kms.
____ Gas stove. To heat those cans of baked beans you’ll be living off.
____ Gas bottle. If you have the space, use a 9kg bottle or bring two 4kg bottles.
____ Duffle bag for clothes. Not everyone appreciates nudity.
____ Sleeping Bag. Preferably with a wool inner. Wool breathes well and is ideal for the Australian climate.
____ Pillow. Pack your favourite pillow from home. If someone in camp is snoring, you can put it over your ears to block it out.
____ Quilt Cover. Make sure it will fit your sleeping bag. Wash the cover instead of your sleeping bag when needed.
____ First Aid Kit. Get a decent one. You might need it when someone gets bitten by an Australian snake/ spider/ shark/ bull ant.
____ Maps. Pop into the local Visitors Centre in town to get free maps. Or you can yell at each other when you don’t know where you’re going.
____ Head Torch. Invaluable when you need your hands free in the evening. Especially if you’ve reached camp after dark and you need to pitch the tent.
____ Sunglasses. Choose polarised and wear them always, even on cloudy days. Australian UV rays are brutal.
____ Sunscreen. The sun bites hard and if you get sunburnt while camping, you’re in for a world of pain and discomfort. You’ll be bitching and moaning for days.
____ Insect repellent. Insect bites are more than just itchy and annoying. In some parts of Australia, mosquitoes carry disease which can make you very ill.
____ Shoes. One closed in pair for bushwalking and one pair for wearing out so you don’t look like no one owns you.
____ Tent / Swag Car seats are not made for sleeping.
____ Table. For eating of course but also some epic card games with your fellow travellers.
____ Camping chair. You need all the room you can get so don’t go too crazy and buy a big boy if you don’t need to.
____ Towels. Two towels per person. Get black and no one will know you haven’t washed them for a month.
____ String for Clothes line. Tie the lines between two trees and you’ll have an instant clothes line no matter where you are.
____ Fridge.  If your trip is for longer than 1-2 months, a camping fridge is a worthy investment. An esky just won’t cut it.
____ Camera. Cause if you don’t take a photo, did you even go? A DSLR is a worthy investment.
You could easily add loads more to this list! Like a flyswatter, because flies suck or a guitar because campfire serenades are awesome.
We hope you’re now inspired to start planning your epic lap around Australia and we’ll see you out there!
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This Lapping Oz Camping Checklist is a guide only and you need to consider your own circumstances and requirements. The contents of this list are based on our own opinions and we are not experts or survivalists.
