First time camping? Or maybe, you’ve adventured before but you’re finding that you’re not quite the pro that you thought you might have been? Everyone has been there, don’t worry! We’ve all experienced the fiddly little difficulties that can take a camping trip from perfect to a nightmare in about ten seconds flat. When you’re enjoying all that the outdoors has to offer, it’s always useful to remember a couple of camping hacks that are sure to make the days easier and more fun for everyone. Read on for some of the best camping hacks, tried and tested by the Australian camping community:
Keep a checklist
Whatever kind of camper you are, a checklist will always be your friend. Keeping note of exactly what you need to pack will guide you for countless trips to come, no matter where you’re heading. Segment this up into equipment, clothes, food and toiletries, and you’ll find that everything you need will be on hand exactly when you need it. Write this up on a chalkboard or whiteboard, or even print a few off and stick them on the fridge! You’ll know what to shop for, what you can pack early and what you might need to add for next time – genius!
Pre Cook your food
This one is a complete and utter lifesaver for those nights and days that you just don’t feel like cooking! Precooking a few long-lasting meals is a genius way to smoothly get through the age-old problem of camping mealtimes, it really is never easy no matter how much of a camping expert you are. Pack away your meals in airtight containers so they don’t get anywhere they aren’t supposed to. Just be sure that you don’t bring along anything that will spoil too quickly.
Pack a microfibre towel
Microfibre towels are much handier than your regular bathroom towels. They are usually lighter, more compact and dry you faster! This is great as it minimises the space that towels usually take up and they are a little easier to clean (should the opportunity present itself!)
vDecant your cooking essentials
Lugging along your spices and olive oil doesn’t have to be a huge task! By decanting your cooking essentials you’ll be saving big on space without giving up flavourful food, the best of both worlds, some might say. Use small containers that you can find at the pharmacy to bring along core spices, salt, pepper, olive oil and even coconut oil if that’s your thing.
Use sage as a natural bug repellent
Bring along some dried sage for a natural repellent in your tent or camper! This will keep your mosquito exposure at bay whilst still being kind to the environment that we all enjoy exploring so very much. Everyday bug repellents tend to have nasty chemicals that aren’t very eco friendly, so this option is much better for everyone involved.
Make your own miniature soap
Shave off shards of soap with your vegetable peeler for travel friendly toiletries! Taking a whole block of soap with you is clunky, unsanitary for the showers and impossible once it gets all wet and slippery. By shaving off a few pieces, you’ll be stopping wastage and your packing will be easier both on the way there and on the way back!
Invest in a camper trailer
This may seem obvious, but boy is it worth it! Undoubtedly, the camper trailer is the most genius camping hack of them all. You’re investing in storage, shelter, amenities and best of all freedom! The right camper opens you up to campsites, road trips and locations that you might not have dreamt of visiting before. The Explorer model is perfect for beginners, you have the freedom of exploring off road whilst still keeping things light, compact, useful and simple – happy adventuring!
By following these useful hacks you can guarantee that your next camping trip will be your most successful one yet.