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General camping checklist, optional stuff and storage
OK, everyone has one of these and of course they vary depending on what sort of trip you are doing. Personally I try not to carry everything listed. I prioritise, plan around the trip involved - how long is it, how isolated, road conditions, time of year etc. Take your pick, it is your trip after all. I hate carrying weight and try to travel as light as I can. This is a throwback to my motorcycle touring days no doubt.
General Checklist
| Water | 20l jerry or something similar | Need 5-10l per person in our outback, don't carry less. |
| Tent, pegs, poles, repair kit | Lightweight - dome type | For trips without the trailer - an alternative is a swag but these are much weightier and more expensive . |
| Camper trailer | Just makes camping so much easier - as long as you don't mind towing. My preference is a hard floor camper trailer ie Cub, Pioneer or Aussie-swag etc | Watch how much you load in the trailer - don't over load if you value your trailer tyres, suspension and wheels, |
| Table | Simple folding card table or lightweight folding style | Folding camper stove stand can help as well - makes a great sidetable |
| Chairs | As comfortable as possible, folding | Avoid cheap styles which will split when you least expect it. |
| Gas stove (supply pipe and stand) | Unless you have a built in stove of course | An adpator for different size bottles and fittings is handy as well |
| Gas cylinder | Full one I hope | Handy to carry a spare as well. Never carry in the car cabin or boot due to danger of leakage and explosion |
| Portable fridge | Forget expensive fridges, we find inexpensive 26l 12v semi-conductor fridges work fine in all sorts of weather. They even function as a heater, though I have never had cause to do so. | Plug in to cigarette lighter when in use. At powered campsites
use an adaptor to convert to 12v and plug the fridge in.
When traveling some ice in the fridge helps to pre-cool. |
| Esky | Good dust proof, heat proof, solid container for perishables | Useful for carrying ice - only way to cool canned drinks |
| Water bottles | Great insulated covers now available | Carry at least one each |
| Torch and batteries | Essential for emergencies and late stops | Spare head strap torch great for toilet breaks at night as well. |
| Power cords and power board 240v | 10 amp for general use 15 amp for caravan parks |
Hmm, getting a bit soft in my old age. Electrickery indeed! |
| Electric light 240v | I use an auto inspection light | Can hang it up on a hook ad it takes a lot of knocks - carry a spare 60 watt globe. |
| Rechargable 12v battery and adapter | Recharge at powered sites or on the road through the cigarette lighter | Runs fluoro lights generally when at bush camps. I don't run a gaslamp anymore. |
| Rechargable 12v jump start battery and adapter | Also has built in air compressor and emergency light | Can run fluoro lights as well |
| Electric kettle 240v | Yep, I am a convert - saves a lot of gas and time | For tea, coffee, washing up |
| Wash basin | For washing up | Big enamel one is great |
| Bucket | With handle of course | Can double as wash basin |
| Toilet paper | Should be at the top of the list | And matches to burn the paper after use |
| Matches | For lots of things | Long stemmed really handy |
| Electric fan heater | Wouldn't have believed it until I experienced it in the Centre. | Very handy for desert trips where power available. Don't leave on unattended or when sleeping. |
| Electric toaster | So cheap and light | Saves gas and can cook more than 1 piece at a time |
| Electric frypan | This is getting embarrassing | Never taken one traveling but think is a good idea for camp cooking at powered sites. Will take one next time. |
| Ear plugs | Essential these days | For noisy campsites - especially where generators are used - these should be illegal where others are camping (and even the super quiet ones sound like industrial engines in the bush) - if you MUST run one then it should be obligatory that the power be shared with the people whose camping experience you are ruining!. Only time I wish I had a gun is when someone starts up their generator! |
| Tarpaulin | For ground sheet or as a fly | Keeps dirt out sometimes or to cover gear when rain appears |
| Doormats | Keep mud or dirt out | |
| Pan and brush, rubbish bags | For the mud and dirt that didn't stay out | |
| Pillows, sheets, doona, travel rug |
I just never use sleeping bags these days | |
| Mattress | Multiple density foam generally | I like the self inflating, but just can never roll them up again. In a trailer no problem, but when tenting need to be able to carry. |
| Axe, saw, spade/shovel | At least carry an axe and spade | |
| Frypan | For gas stove ot open fire | I actually prefer to use a Wok (more versatile) and the lid comes in handy too |
| Kettle or Billy | For boiling water | But a saucepan may do just as well |
| Saucepans | One or two | For all things to all cooks |
| First aid kit and Fire Blanket | Try and think of everything - from the runs to constipation | Make sure you can bandage and splint bad injuries |
| Radio (battery and 240v) and CD player (especially MP3 compatible) | For those long cold nights | Can't survive a day without listening to Radio National (even if it isn't really national) |
| Fire extinguisher | Check is servicable | Just in case |
| Length of good rope | For when you need it | |
| Length of clothes line, pegs and washing powder | For when you need it | Sometimes you have to go to town after all |
| Jerry can and fuel | For when you need it | Don't carry in cab or boot, or on the roof rack. |
| Can opener, vegie peeler, tongs, carving knives, colander, spatula, serving spoon, knives, forks, spoons, tea spoon, bottle opener.cork screw, plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, | ||
| Tea towels, scourer, sponges, detergent | ||
| Alfoil, gladwrap, storage containers, paper towels | ||
| Maps, compass, tour guides, reading material | Essential stuff |
Optional stuff
| Bush shower | For woosies | What's wrong with a bucket and flannel? |
| Portable toilet and chemicals (eco positive please) | Need toilet tent too | Need somewhere to dump contents as well |
| Jaffle iron | Just don't seem to use this anymore | Good way to get rid of leftovers |
| Mosquito net | Too many bad bugs around these days | With a good camper trailer tent found I never used it. |
| Puritabs | Water purifiers | Or some iodine drops and orange Tarax powder (to taste) - only ever used overseas, but may be useful in some places |
| Camp (dutch) oven | For real cooks | But weighty, weighty, weighty |
| BBQ Plate or wire grill | For open fires | But so heavy and fires generally are not welcome anymore |
Storage
I have tried everything but I have now decided that you just can't beat floppy bags.......plastic crates are too space hungry......so many empty corners and useless space....plus the space between the boxes is wasted and you can only fit so many in vehicles with all their odd interior spaces. Same with expensive heavy slide out drawer units.
I have found a swag of old school bags, travel bags and even the reusable shopping bags to be an absolute boon.
I toss related things into the bags, label the bag if necessary and toss it in the back. When I want it, I just grab the handles and pull it out. With zipped bags nothing falls out. The bags even cushion fragile objects. They flop into the available space and can be easily carried to the tent or trailer. Easily packed again as well.
Amazing how much more fits in the car and trailer and amazing how much easier it is to find things and keep them sorted.
No more plastic storage containers for me when travelling. What a revelation.