With Easter done and dusted, you might think it’s the end of camping season, but that doesn't mean you have to pack away the gear for good! Hopefully you took our advice in The Great Camping vs Hotel Holiday Debate and if so, you’ve come home with some new additions to the family—ones who really know their way around a campsite. But it's not all about the camping experience, and some of your favourite bits of kit have tricks up their sleeve that make them just as handy in the #BCFeveryday. Check out some of our ideas below and give them a try for yourself.
Wanderer Quad Fold Beach Cart
Actual use: Beach Trolley
Alternative Uses:
- Kids/fur kids own set of wheels
- The gardener's right-hand man
- The greatest carrier of groceries alive
While most Aussies took their carts to the beach, many wanted them for other reasons entirely.
DID YOU KNOW? Aussies searched for “Beach Carts” in Google over 350,000 times in 2022!
With more uses than you can poke a stick at, the Wanderer Beach Cart well and truly deserves its spot on this list! The inner city may be as far from the beach as you can get—with no surf or sand in sight! This Swiss army knife on wheels can carry just about anything and makes the perfect addition to any family from the big smoke! If you've got little ones (or furry ones for that matter), you can relax knowing they're safe and sound and easily within reach—no city traffic worries here!
One thing our cities are always known for is their fantastic food and produce. If a trip to the markets is on the cards, you can give the arms and back a breather and put the beach cart to work. With a 110kg weight capacity, she'll have no dramas! And last but not least for the green thumbs out there, this could be your new best bud when it comes to the garden! Moving plants, trimming weeds, lugging soil and manure… the possibilities are endless!
Gazebo
Actual use: Portable Shelter
Alternative uses:
- The perfect picnic plus one
- Sporting event salvation
While Aussies love a good Gazebo, we don’t just take them camping!
DID YOU KNOW? In 2022 we sold almost the same number of Gaezbos as the total population of Bundaberg!
Keeping those harsh Aussie elements at bay is the gazebos bread-and-butter! Although it's no secret how well these bad boys go at the campsite, it's what they can do in the urban jungle we're here to talk about. Our cities may be a little short on fresh air and open pastures, but they make up for it with some pretty epic parks and gardens—perfect for a picnic! This is where the convenience of our friend the gazebo is worth its weight in gold. Simple to set up and compact as they come, it provides portable UV protection no matter where you go! For those with little people, your weekends are probably filled with sports carnivals and kids sports—we know ours are! Just think, no more frying at the footy or sunburns at soccer! With a gazebo in tow, it's shade for days!
Camping Chairs
Actual Use: Compact Seating Option
Alternative uses:
- Music event feet-saver
- Your new bestie for a BBQ in the backyard
- The sporting spectators’ perfect partner
Not only a cracker at the campsite or beauty at the beach. Aussies were using the trusty camping chair for so much more this summer!
DID YOU KNOW? Your favourite Camp Chairs in 2022 were…
- Wanderer Premium Cooler Arm Chair
- Wanderer Getaway Quad Fold Camp Chair
- Wanderer Race Quad Fold Camp Chair
Is there ever such a thing as too many chairs? We don't think so! And with the number of people/backsides in the big smoke, keeping a camp chair up your sleeve is never a bad thing. It's always been an essential part of the camping kit, right? Somewhere to rest your weary legs (and back) after the day's adventuring. But what if you're not a camper? What if you're a city slicker? Well, no dramas! There's plenty of other uses for the trusty camp chair that may be more up your alley. Camping chairs and sporting events go hand in hand! So, it's no surprise that they get a big tick from the sporting community. Whether it's a lazy arvo watching the cricket, or a chaotic morning cheering on the kids, you can't go wrong with a camp chair! If a backyard barbie sounds more your thing, throw up a few of these beauties so you and the crew can really enjoy a snag or two. Last but not least, for those into their concerts/events, when you're done "moshing it out", there's no better time to take a load off.
Airbed
Actual use: Portable Bedding Solution
Alternative uses:
- Pool party plaything
- The cheapest bit of furniture you can get your hands on
- Emergency mattress when the mother-in-law (unexpectedly) drops in
From the campsite to the city, we all need our shuteye, right? Although no one wants a cranky camper, the same can be said about those in the big smoke too. But don't think sleeping is all you can use the humble airbed for, with it being the easiest and most inexpensive furniture going around! If you've got too many guests on your hands and not enough chairs, they'll be fighting for pole position on your airbed. If the little ones are getting bored, a ride on the airbed bus could be the remedy! With a little bit of imagination, there's nowhere they can't go. Set it up outside for a night of stargazing or take it for a dip in the pool—now that sounds cool!
We've all experienced the dreaded phone call saying the mother-in-law's coming to visit. She'll be happy as Larry on one of these guys (although you may think a dungeon's more aptly suited).
Fridge/Freezer
Actual use: Food and drink cooling device
Alternative uses:
- A tradies’ best bud on the worksite
- Kid’s snack machine (hanger prevention)
- Supermarket saviour (keeping your food and drinks cold during transport)
When it comes to keeping your food and drinks cool as a cucumber, there's nothing that'll do it quite like a fridge/freezer! They've made quite a name for themselves as a must-have in the camping kit, but what else do these troopers have to offer? Let us tell you, there's not much these guys can't do when it comes to cooling, and if you're trying to keep your little people happy, these are sure to put a smile on their dials. Whether it's on the road, in the park, or smack bang in the city, it's always the right time for a snack! As for the tradies out there, well there aren’t too many we know who don’t have vehicles sporting one of these in the boot or on the tray. Lunch just got that little bit sweeter for you and your wallet!
Macpac Halo Jacket
Actual Use: Winter Jacket
Alternative uses:
- On the run pillow — When the slumber bug bites
- When the little ones need a makeshift blanket ASAP!
You've heard of a jack of all trades, well this is the Mac(pac) of all trades! The bee's knees of puffer jackets and a must-have accessory this winter. Although you're sure to look the part strutting your stuff around the campground, there are plenty of other reasons why the Halo deserves a spot in your wardrobe. For starters, it makes the perfect porta-pillow! Save some room in your carry-on and wear this handy little pillow on your back! If keeping warm's the aim of the game, well that's an easy win for this baby. If your little people are feeling the chill, you’ve got the perfect blanket on the go—and we all know happy kids, happy life! Filled with 600 loft RDS (responsible down standard) duck down, it'll keep you toasty, no dramas! And when it comes to repelling moisture, the lightweight fabric and quality finish make these jackets the perfect all-rounder.
Other ways to wear your Macpac Halo:
- Perfect for hiking as it packs up small!
- Styling with your active wear (even if you’re not being active)
- Wearing to the footy/events—easy to fit in a bag
- Puffers are in style, so you can wear 'em basically anywhere these days!
Whether you're getting coffee styled with your activewear, picking up the kids in soccer mum mode, packing to conquer Mt Everest on your next hike, forgot to pack a pillow, or simply dressed to impress on your day to day—you'll be good to go with a Macpac Halo!
So, there you have it! A handful of your camping favourites, and some interesting ways to get the most bang for your buck. For those who live in the big smoke, it can be hard to scratch that camping itch, so it’s lucky these beauties have the remedy. Now get out there and put them to the BCFing test!
About the author
BCFing Experts
The BCFing Experts have done more than their fair share of boating, camping, fishing, hiking, four-wheel driving and much much more! Whether you're tackling tough tracks in Tassie or chasing big barra up North, the BCFing Experts have the know-how to make your next outdoor adventure a pearler
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