Find yourself outside

For those still not comfortable with international travel, there’s heaps of us taking to the road and exploring what Australia has to offer. With domestic travel well and truly back in action, finding accommodation can be tricky. Camping is a great alternative to avoid the crowds and experience Australia in all its beauty.

Below are my top tips for a smooth camping trip. BUT, before you get to any of these tips, my first, and most important tip is to have the right attitude. “Adventure is what you make it”, is something I tell my kids over and over again. No two campsites are created equal and a holiday is what you make of it. Go with the right attitude and you’ll be guaranteed of a great time.

Don’t forget the shovel!

If accessing a 4WD only property, don’t forget to take recovery tracks and a shovel. If you’re a beginner, park your vehicle in a safe spot and have a reccie on foot to check whether it’s in your capability to tackle it. I’ve done this many times (and proceeded on down!). Slow and steady wins the race. Keep things cool

Invest in a good quality esky to keep the valuables cold. Beginners start with a good quality ice esky. Those who have been bitten by the camping bug should invest in a cooler that’s plugged into your dual-battery in your 4WD. That’s when you know you’ve reached the camping elite!

Stay extra-hydrated!

Know the situation with drinking water, is there plenty of potable water at the campsite? I always take my own extra 40 litres of water from home. Can never have too much water.

Fire ‘er up! (Responsibly)

Brush up on your campfire skills and know local fire regulations. Most Hipcamps permit fires all year round (excluding fire ban periods) which is great, but it’s everyone’s responsibility to be fire safe and thoroughly extinguish campfires before you go to sleep at night and before you leave.

Food glorious food!

It’s such a special time to share meals with the ones you love - this is where the memories are made. It’s ok to pack those items that aren’t ‘everyday’ foods at home. My kids associate Milo cereal with camping because that’s the only time they get it. Create special memories around food. We also love ‘special drinks’ when camping, quite often the fizzy comes out for a bit of fun.

TOP 5 CAMPING DESTINATIONS

For those that are new to camping, camping expert Brooke Wood, Hipcamp’s operations manager, has teamed up with Toyota to put together five camping locations for those looking to explore the Tasmanian bush this year.

The Farm Cradle Country

This 85 acre farm is located in the rolling hills of North West Tasmania offering fantastic camping close to Cradle Mountain (only a 35 minute picturesque drive). It’s 5 minutes to Lake Barrington which is perfect for swimming, rowing, water skiing, power boating and canoeing and also 5 minutes to Tasmazia with its model villages and endless mazes to occupy the kids.

LAT 41 South - Retreat

This retreat inspires a sense of peace and wonder. There is plenty of wildlife and activities on property or close by include fishing, gold panning, skiing (nearby Ben Lomond Ski fields), geocaching, bird watching, bushwalking and mountain bike riding.

Hill Top Farm Three Tree

This great campsite overlooks Huntsman Lake with exceptional views over Great Western Tiers. It features a large flat grassy area to camp on with small spring fed dam very close. Experience wild waterfalls, pristine wilderness, heritage and history, nature and gourmet foods, all in the Great Western Tiers region.

Peace & Serenity Under the Milkyway

A tranquil paddock at the feet of a mountain range with sweeping country views and a secret beach less then 10 minutes drive. You can have it all at Kanyini Camp. This campsite for self-contained campers is still the best kept secret of the East Coast and with a bit of luck, you will have it all to yourselves.

Farm on Franklin

These campsites are alongside Franklin Rivulet at Harford, a picturesque tidal estuary, providing leisure activities such as fishing, kayaking, bushwalking, bird watching, oystering, wildlife spotting, egg collecting, and dog patting. Guests must be fully self-contained with own amenities (toilet/shower) and must ‘leave no trace’.