How a Little Groundwork Makes for Happy Campers

The approach of a long weekend or school holidays means only one thing for many of us - time to break out the camping gear!

Camping is the ultimate getaway, a chance to unwind in the bush or by the sea with friends and family. However, plenty of us can probably recall disastrous camping trips - eating cold baked beans out of a can or being eaten alive by mosquitoes because someone forgot insect repellent!

A successful camping trip requires a little groundwork in terms of destination and equipment. Here's what to consider.

Book ahead

Be aware that popular camping grounds fill up quickly, particularly during summer and on long weekends and school holidays. If you’re heading for a caravan park, book ahead. If you’re planning to camp in a national park, check out the booking system, as they vary from state to state. Most now permit online bookings up to 12 months in advance when you pay the appropriate fee.

If it’s a matter of “first in best dressed” get there early, preferably on the Thursday before everyone else knocks off from work and school! If you’re travelling on spec, have a Plan B ready in case your preferred camping ground is full.

Murphy’s law

As for equipment, you can do it the hard way or you can do it easily. It’s Murphy’s law: expect the best, prepare for the worst.

While it’s tempting to just fling a sleeping bag, a billy can and a box of matches into the back seat and hit the road, the joys of roughing it can soon wear off.

We all know campers who take everything, including the kitchen sink, but there is a happy medium of simplicity and comfort.

The right equipment can actually simplify the whole camping experience. Look for lightweight, quiet items that aren’t going to wreck the serenity of your natural escape.

Handy equipment to make camping a breeze

If you’re a regular camper, you’ll have most of your own equipment, but if you’re just testing the waters, or storage space at home is limited, it makes sense to hire some of the bigger items.

That’s where Kennards Hire comes in handy with a range of equipment to make your camping experience more enjoyable - especially if you’re going bush with a load of family or friends in tow!

• Good light is essential when you’re camping. Many of us have memories of tripping over tent pegs and tree stumps in the darkness! LED lights with rechargeable batteries and adjustable stands provide bright uniform illumination for safety and comfort.
• A lightweight 4-stroke generator is ideal for camping, offering great fuel economy, low emissions and quiet operation. You get all the comfort of power - without disturbing the serenity of the bush.
• Where will you eat? Kennards can supply folding or stackable chairs and a range of sturdy lightweight tables with stowaway legs for easy storage.
• With luck, you’ll be able to light a campfire. If not, a gas-fired barbecue is useful - especially if you’ve got a tribe of family and friends to feed. It’s easy to transport with foldaway legs. However, you will need to be aware of any fire restrictions that may be in place. A total fire ban can apply not only to campfires, but barbecues as well.  

Think a gas-fired barbecue and a generator are going overboard? A little bit of glamping never hurt anyone - especially if there's a crowd of you!

Stow your gear

You’ve worked out what you need but where on earth are you going to put it all? If you’re travelling by car or small SUV, a trailer can make the journey a whole lot easier. Kennards Hire has a range of affordable box and cage trailers to stow your camping gear.

Interested in seeing what else you can hire for your next camping trip? Pop in and see the team at your local Kennards Hire branch. You never know what you might find!