April 11th, 2022
It’s almost time to set off on your Easter Camping holiday! Many of us are excited to go out on an open road adventure after months of bunking down indoors with our DIY lounge room forts. We can see it now, brisk Autumn air, kayaking on the river, fresh smoked snapper on the camper stove and a hidden easter egg trail for the kids.
If you’re camping for the first time or this is an annual tradition, we’ve got a whole lot of ground to cover! So before you wrangle your family into the car, read our tips, tricks and checklist for a great Australian Easter camping adventure.
Choose Your Camping Destination:
Your camping location is the ultimate decider for how your journey will unfold and what activities you can plan ahead for. Pick somewhere that’s tailored to the experience that you want to have because you don’t need to go from zero to Aussie Bear Grylls overnight.
Here are just a few camping destinations from Visit Australia that include hiking trails, island beaches, fresh saltwater lakes and iconic cultural landmarks.
It’s also important to remember that not all of the camping sites are equipped with facilities. While some campgrounds will have all the mod-cons, from shower and toilet blocks to camp kitchens and electricity power points, others won’t be anything more than a modest patch of ground to pitch your tent, so make sure to do your research.
North Stradbroke Island: North Stradbroke Island, known to the locals as Straddie, is a popular QLD camping destination full of natural highlights like sunshine-all-day surf beaches, roaming kangaroos and pretty coastal walks. Pitch your tent at Cylinder Beach Camping Ground – close to Point Lookout’s cafés, shops and restaurants – or head slightly further away to Adder Rock Camping Ground, sheltered by tea trees and pandanus forests.
Grampians National Parl: The Fortress is a natural rocky overhang with views across the rugged Grampians landscape in western Victoria. Best to pack a tent for the other night on the track, and remember to register your trek at the Brambuk Cultural Centre, a striking building with fluid lines that resemble a cockatoo in flight.
Booderee National Park: Just 190 kilometres (118 miles) south of Sydney is Booderee National Park, home to two basic campgrounds – Green Patch and Bristol Point – that front Jervis Bay. You can catch a glimpse of dolphins from the mainland, attracted by the bay’s seagrass meadows. A third campground, Cave Beach, is set among tea trees and faces Wreck Bay.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our guide on the Top 5 Camping Spots in Australia.
Plan and Pack the Camping Essentials:
With so much happening in the lead-up to Easter, it can be easy to forget about some of the essentials that make for a more comfortable stay. If you’re travelling with kids, there’s a whole new challenge to conquer while trying to Tetris the inflatable pool noodles, camping crib and stroller into the back of the car. If this is the case for you, then make sure to read our guide on What You Need To Know Before Camping With Kids.
One of the best stress relievers we’ve found is to make sure you’re organised with a checklist before leaving so you don’t have to worry about leaving anything behind. We also recommend pulling out your gear earlier to make sure it is in good working condition for your trip, see our guide on How to maintain your camping equipment with INOX.
Check out our list of camping essentials by category:
Shelter: Tent, hammer, pegs, rope, poles, tarp/ gazebo, flooring and dustpan and brush.
- Quick Tip: For best practice, pull out the tent before you leave to make sure it’s in good working order and identify if any repairs need to be made.
Safety/ Emergency: First aid kit, extra water, perishable food, portable device chargers and flashlight batteries, petty cash, jump starter pack, printed map and list of emergency contacts.
- Quick Tip: If you’re taking out the 4WD, we’ve also got a handy guide on ‘Must Have’ 4WD toolbox essentials.
- Quick Tip: Bring a can of INOX MX3 lubricant with you, it will work perfectly in providing lasting protection from corrosion and oxidation of camping equipment in wet weather conditions. Plus if you have to do any quick fixes on your trip, MX3 will be a lifesaver for any stubborn bolts and parts.
Hygiene/ Toiletries: Hand sanitiser, microfibre towels, toilet paper, insect repellent, sunscreen, lip balm, environmentally friendly body wash.
Bedding: Mattress bed, pillow, sheets, wool blanket and sleeping bag.
Furniture: Camp chairs, stretcher, portable table and clothing line.
Lighting: Solar, battery or LED operated lantern, torch, string lights.
Kitchen: Plates, thermal water bottle, keep cups, cooking and dining utensils, pots and pans, dishwashing bucket, detergent and sponge, washing up bucket, bin & bin liners, paper towel & tea towels, cooler/ esky, portable fridge, BBQ/gas stove, gas cylinder, matches/ lighter.
- Quick Tip: Make sure to check that your gas cylinders and lighter fluids are full.
Power: Generator and oil, power boards, extension leads, battery charger, device chargers, inverter (Pure or Modified).
- Quick Tip: Use INOX-MX2 Battery Conditioner for all solar and generator charged stationary, lead-acid battery power supply banks and emergency power lead-acid batteries, makes batteries more efficient with a longer, trouble-free operating life.
You’ll also have to pack your apparel, it’s always smart to bring sunproof and waterproof gear like hats, sunnies, boots and raincoats regardless of the weather status.
Planning Activities on your Camping Trip:
Now for the fun stuff! Roping the family into activities that you wish you had done as a kid is the ingenious satisfaction of camping, so here are some activities for courageous and inventive campers alike.
Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt: Seeing as it’s Easter, what better occasion than to channel your inner Scout Cub. The ultimate Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt will take some pre-planning, but make sure you choose a suitable and safe location for the family to explore.
Water Sports: Fishing, boating, kayaking, skiing and snorkelling are just a few of the things that you can do on the waterfront. And last but not least, if you’re adding in activities to the trip, then make sure to check out our guide on how to protect and maintain your marine gear with INOX.
Sight Seeing / Hiking: There are bound to be some classic hiking trails on your campsite, so make sure to make the most of this by researching your trail ahead of time to find the best-hidden rock pools, caves and lookout points. Take a portable camera to capture some of the sights, native wildlife, or fauna along the way and quiz your local Park Ranger about them when you get back to camp.
4XWD Bush Bashing:
For those who want to ruff it out on the beach or bush, check out Outback Australia’s guide on 4WD off-road driving. They cover everything from rock slopes to deep water river-crossing and mudholes. We also love to watch the guys from 4WD 24-7 hit the open roads.
If you’re planning a camping trip, make sure to stock up on a few INOX products before you go. Our lubricants can be used for car maintenance, camping equipment, four-wheel-drive maintenance, boating and fishing gear. Head to our website to learn more about the various uses for our lubricants and greases, or get in touch with us today!