Camping tips for the autumn holidays

When autumn rolls around, camping trips are top of mind. It’s the perfect time to pitch a tent and enjoy the school break or Easter long weekend under big, starry skies. Whether you're a local first-timer or visiting Australia from overseas, here's how to make your autumn camping trip memorable and stress-free.

Want to go camping in the mountains? Kick back riverside among autumn leaves? Or get a pre-winter dose of ‘vitamin sea’? Australia’s diverse landscapes offer so many different camping experiences, but not all campgrounds are created equal.

For first-timers, holiday parks are a great introduction, especially if creature comforts (like flushing toilets) matter to you. Sometimes called caravan or tourist parks, they’re often close to town and offer powered sites, plus luxuries like hot showers, communal kitchens, potable water, and play equipment for kids. Many allow dogs too, but always check when booking.

If you want to wake up to the sounds of the bush, consider camping in a national park. National park campgrounds are unpowered and can be quite remote, so you’ll need to be self-reliant. Make sure you’re comfortable with the access roads too, which can vary from sealed to gravel to four-wheel-drive tracks.

Wherever you go, make sure you’re well prepared with everything you need, including lots of drinking water.

Long weekends like Easter are some of the busiest periods for camping, and many campgrounds book out months in advance. If you want to stay at a popular campground next year, you may want to start planning now.

Left it to the last minute? Don't worry, Australia is nothing if not huge. Broaden your search and you might find availability in areas off the tourist trail.

Check Aircamp and Hipcamp for unique camping experiences on private farms and properties, and Wikicamps or CamperMate for a wide range of free and paid campgrounds anywhere in Australia. 

The world of camping is full of cool-sounding gear and gadgets that you don’t really need.

Start with the basics – tent, cooking gear, cooler, tarp or awning, chairs – and as you gain experience, you’ll work out what extras you need and what you don’t.

Use what you already have at home such as utensils from the kitchen and your own bedding. And think ‘double-duty’ if car space is a factor. A cooler can be an extra seat or worktop for simple meal prep, for example.

Do sweat the small stuff though, like headtorch, bug repellent, sunscreen, ear plugs, toilet paper, power bank. Small items can make a big difference and are easy to forget. Embrace list-making as an extension of your new hobby, and get everything organised into see-through labelled tubs. 

With a huge market for secondhand camping gear online, you can keep costs to a minimum. Check Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or local buy, swap and sell groups before paying full price.

Campervans are popular for road trips and can be collected near airports in major cities. But as with campgrounds, you’ll want to book early for the holidays.

Whether your gear is new, rented or pre-loved, it’s always wise to check it all works before you’re out there relying on it. Inflate your air mattress to check for leaks, test gas burners, pitch your tent so you can inspect for any tears or sticky zippers, and make sure there’s no pegs or poles missing.  

Most modern tents are quick and easy to set up, but practicing can save you a bit of time at camp – especially when it comes to getting it back in the bag.

From festive food to games for kids, you can adapt many holiday traditions to suit your camping trip.

At Easter you can toast your hot cross buns in a pan or have your Good Friday fish steamed in foil over coals. Campsites are full of nooks and crannies to hide a few Easter eggs, just be mindful of hungry wildlife and don’t leave any behind. The plastic capsules from Kinder Surprise are a great way to critter-proof the treats, or you could hide painted pebbles instead (to be traded for choccies once found, of course!)

For most people camping is a chance to unplug from screens and enjoy outdoor activities like biking, bushwalking, swimming, kayaking and fishing. But autumn weather can be fickle, and it pays to have a backup plan.

After the third round of UNO and Travel Scrabble, you’ll be glad to have some movies and TV shows downloaded on your tablet, and an e-reader loaded up with e-books. Check out what’s on SubHub for ideas. 

We’re lucky to have natural places to escape to, and it’s up to every camper to keep their impact to a minimum. Here’s a few “Leave No Trace” principles to follow whenever you’re out in nature:

• Only use designated campsites and walking trails
• Take all rubbish with you (if bins aren’t provided)
• Never use soap and detergent in natural waterways
• Store food securely to avoid attracting possums, brush turkeys, dingos, and other critters
• Never feed wildlife, and always keep a respectful distance
• Follow fire safety regulations, which may be stricter in certain areas during hot and dry conditions
• If campfires are permitted, bring your own firewood and use existing fire rings or your own portable fire pit to prevent scarring the ground.
• Be considerate of others and keep the noise down at night
  

As with anything outdoors, weather can be the make-or-break factor. Climate variation is significant across the country, and seasons aren’t the same everywhere. For example, in autumn you might encounter:

• Hot daytime temperatures in central Australia
• Humidity, storms and flood risk in northern Australia
• Possible snow in alpine areas in southern Australia
• Bushfire anywhere with dry conditions
  

To make sure your trip is unforgettable for all the right reasons, pick a camping destination appropriate for the season, check forecasts closely before you set off, and adjust your plans if conditions change.

Australia's natural beauty offers the perfect backdrop for creating memories that will last a lifetime – whether you're watching the sun rise over the ocean, spotting wildlife in the bush, or simply enjoying drinks around the campfire with loved ones. Get the first trip right and it’s sure to become an annual tradition you’ll look forward to for years to come.

Get connected in Australia with our flexible, great value Mobile plans and Prepaid SIM plans.

SubHub is available to eligible Optus customers.