12 Tips for Beginner Campers to get started in the great outdoors
By Nicole Anderson of OutbaxCamping, Australia*
*(Not the Nicole Anderson of Camping for Women)
Australia is a haven for campers and backpackers. With its vast wilderness and the great outback, the country would give you a hard time deciding which campsite is ideal for you and your family.
There are numerous recreational parks and camping sites to choose from. If you are a first-time camper, here are 12 tips for beginner campers that could help make your first camping experience a most memorable and enjoyable encounter.
1. Choose a camp close to your home
Instead of being on the road and exhausting yourself on a long drive, make your first camping trip at a nearby park. This way, you would save precious hours which could be spent enjoying the scenery, making new friends, or bonding with your family. You can also consider it as your training ground for more challenging sites.
2. Check out the site of your choice
Make sure you have made thorough enquiries about the campsite where you are headed. Aside from knowing which route to take to easily reach your destination, you must also know the available amenities or make a reservation ahead of your trip. This would help you prepare the right camping gear and supplies you should bring.
3. Be mindful of the weather
Weather forecasts are not 100% accurate, but generally, they can help you decide which days are ideal for outdoor activities. Nonetheless, it would not hurt to pack a thick jacket and extra blankets in case it turns colder especially at night. Rain gear should also go into your pack to protect you from getting soaked in case there is a downpour. If you really want to enjoy your first camping trip, schedule it during summertime. A soaked camp is no fun for a beginner.
4. Make a checklist
With proper planning, even if you are a beginner, you will be able to pull off a first camping trip successfully and with less or no hassle. How can you do this? List down everything you need and group them into categories such as camping gear (tent, sleeping bag), camping supplies (flashlight, torch, matches), and other camping essentials (food, cooking tools and utensils). You can refer to your list as you shop and tick each item in it as you get them. Pack items in appropriate containers such as your personal gear in your backpack; cooking supplies in durable plastic bins; and electronic items in waterproof bags.
5. Choose the right-sized tent
Aside from looking at the quality when buying a tent, you should also consider the size if you are into family camping. A nicely-sized tent should have enough moving space for the number of people that are supposed to sleep in it, ideally with allowance space for two more people.
6. Power up
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7. Pack a sleeping bag
A sleeping bag must be in your checklist. This can help you spend your first night at camp comfortably. You can also bring sleeping pads to protect your sleeping bag and extend its usability. If you are a summer camper, a lightweight sleeping bag would do.
8. Bring extra sets of some items
An extra set of clothing and towels would be handy in case rain pours down. If you are bringing children, make sure to pack extra clothing for them, too, regardless of whether it rains or not.
9. Prepare food and hydration packs
Whilst you can grab supplies on your way to camp, it would be wiser to pack your food and water supplies ahead. This way, you would no longer have to strain your eyes trying to spot a convenience store and just focus on enjoying the ride.
10. Clean up
Don’t forget to bring your own garbage bag and dispose of your trash properly.
11. Bring an emergency kit
Whilst you would not want any untoward incident during your camping trip, accidents may still happen. Make sure to pack an emergency medical kit to treat wounds and scratches or even some pills for an aching head or an upset tummy.
12. Be a smart buyer
There are several stores that carry camping gears and supplies. Be choosy when you buy, though. Avoid cheap and low-quality products. Check websites especially product reviews.
What did you think of the 12 Tips for Beginner Campers? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Nicole Anderson of OutbaxCamping, Australia*
Ambivert. Loves travelling, camping and meeting awesome people around the globe.
Works at Outbax Camping, an Owned and Operated Australian company since 2012 which supplies High Calibre Outdoor & Camping Products that can take on the Australian Outback.
Lives in Sydney, Australia.
Interesting post – some great tips and advice here! I will definitely have to take some of this on board x
Great post! I’ll admit, as much as I like hiking, I’ve always been hesitant to camp. It’s never really been my thing but I can imagine how awesome it would be to do. Our house has some land and I’ve actually considered just trying it in the backyard one night to see how it works or renting a cabin to start small. Upstate New York has a ton of campgrounds close to home so that’s definitely a tip I’m going to do first!
This is a great checklist for anyone who is a beginner camper like me. Thanks for sharing. I always forget the garbage bags.
Great tips! We are planning our first family camping trip when the weather gets warmer. I will be coming back to this post.
I never really thought about going to try camping before, it looks beautiful though. May need to add it to my want to do list.
I found this very helpful and informative. Thank you so much for these reminders and tips!
What a cool checklist for beginners! I wish I came across something like this when I went camping for the first time (I had to learn everything the hard way :)) Choosing the right tent is crucial and the emergency kit is a must. I never thought about choosing a place near to one’s home but now that you mentioned it, it’s a good thing to do for a beginner.
Choosing a camp close to home in a more well known area is huge I agree for beginning campers.
My biggest piece of advice is to let go and just relax. Sometimes we all get preoccupied with the modern things that camping helps us take a step back and just be.
These are all amazing tips for a beginner camper like myself. I am use to camping at the beach, so camping in the wild is def a different experience for me. thanks for the great post.
These are some really handy tips! I’ve never really camped about from in friends’ gardens, so these are really helpful.
Great tips! I haven’t been camping so much so this will come in handy this summer!
This is such great advice!!! Camping is the best!
Don’t just bring a sleeping bag but a few extra blankets as well 🙂
I went camping for the first time last summer and was freezing at night. Really loved being that close to nature though <3
I confess that I never took a camping trip. I traveled to many places and backpacked around but I always stayed at hotels or similar accommodation. I think this is because camping has always scared me a bit and I always had the idea that I wouldn’t feel comfortable. But this is something that I promised myself that I would try and your post is a great source of tips for the beginning of this new traveling experience. I loved the idea of choosing a nearby park for the first camping trip. I never thought about it. This could be an awesome idea to test a new way of traveling without feeling overwhelmed. I’m trying this!
We should be really mindful of these tips. It was all important, making checklist and checking the weather.
My and my girls are planning a trip of a life time – we are planning a trip to big springs and thanks to this list – we may be a step ahead.
Me and my family have been camping for years but we still seem to always forget to power up. Good tip!
It’s always important to properly dispose of all trash before leaving your campsite. These are great tips for beginners! 🙂
I am so not a camper, however, these are great tips for those who want to get into it. I have done my fair share in the past, and just prefer a roof over my head, ha!
Wow, such a really nice checklist! Following the points, you can really make sure that all important stuff will be taken care of ?