It’s that time of year again, jeez how they fly! The big fella with long ears and a fluffy tail will be paying us all a visit before we know it. With the Easter holidays fast approaching and the thought of an egg-cellent Easter escape front and centre in many of our minds, our BCFing experts thought they would share with you some epic Easter essentials to add to your camping kit.
Whether you’re loading the car for a few days away with your mates or hitching up the caravan for the ultimate family escape, there’s a few things you shouldn’t go without.
The Home Away from Home – Tents & Swags
Arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, without the correct tent your camping trip could be a fizzer. There are quite a few things to consider when choosing a tent as they come in such a variety of different shapes and sizes, but the two questions you really need to ask yourself are; where you’ll be camping, and who you’ll be camping with. Size doesn’t always matter, but when it comes to tents it sure does. It’s no good buying a 3-person tent and hoping to sleep the whole footy team, just like a solo sesh in the outback doesn’t need a 12-person mansion. Choose a tent that’s roughly 1-2 persons larger than what you intend so there’s plenty of room for all your camping gear. Bad weather is just a fact of life, it comes and goes, but hopefully it doesn’t hang around for the yearly camping trip. This is when its super important to look at the type of weather you can expect and buy a tent that can handle those conditions. Different materials make a huge difference so if you expect it to rain cats and dogs check out a polycotton-canvas tent while if its scorching hot and dry as a bone you can get away with a polyester tent no worries.
Keep it Cool – Fridges & Coolers
Here’s the big question, what’s more important? Keeping the family sheltered or keeping the frothies cold? While we can’t answer that one, having somewhere to store your food and drinks is absolutely crucial for a happy campsite. Whether you go the whole hog with a fridge/freezer or stick to the ol’ faithful cooler, the benefits of having one of these bad boys are second to none. With a fridge/freezer in tow you can forget about buying bags of ice, and with the right setup these beauties will run for days. Hook it up to a 12V battery, get your power from the sun via solar, or plug it straight into the wall for stress free cooling. On the other hand, things don’t get much simpler than a cooler with today’s technology keeping your ice frozen for longer than ever before. They’re tough as nails and will go the journey on any camping adventure you may go on. To make the most of your icebox, check out these tips from the BCFing Experts
Let There be Light – Lanterns & Torches
It doesn’t matter if a sneaky night away is on the cards or you’re heading away on the annual camping extravaganza, the truth is that every campsite needs some form of lighting. Although the big yellow thing in the sky does a ripper job throughout the day, once it sinks below the horizon you’ll be looking for a way to brighten things up a little. Lucky there’s no shortage of epic lighting solutions just waiting for you at BCF. From torches and lanterns to spotlights and headlamps, your nights will be far less dim with these beauties in tow. It’s important to have some form of lighting setup inside the tent so that getting around is easy and safe. With the fantastic range of LED strip lighting available you can cover your tent wall to wall - they’re super bright, tough as nails, and won’t drink up all your power. While you’re out and about it’s always handy to have a torch on hand, great for lighting up footpaths and the perfect companion for late night loo runs. Try kicking things up a notch with a headlamp, hands-free at its finest and a ripper idea for storing in the emergency kit.
Stay Snug as a Bug – Bedding & Sleeping Bags
Getting your shut eye is mighty important when camping and helps to make your experience in the outdoors a good one. Although you may not have the luxury of your cosy bed and some of the other creature comforts from home, there are a few must haves that every camper should keep on hand to ensure a good night sleep. Something to sleep on should be one of the first things on your list, you can take your pick between a self-inflating mattress, stretcher bed, or even a blow up that all do a ripper job and will feel a whole lot better on your back than sleeping on the hard ground. They come in plenty of different shapes and sizes, so if you’re flying solo a single or king single will do the trick, but if you’ve got the whole crew in tow that double or queen will be worth its weight in gold. Thicknesses also vary and can really kick your comfort level up a notch so pick the best one for your individual needs.
Now you’ve got a mattress sorted the next ingredient is a sleeping bag. No one wants to be cold and sleeping in a tent can mean the temperature isn’t quite what it would be at home. By choosing the right sleeping bag you’ll be ready for any conditions from scorching summer nights to frosty evenings in the snow. They each come with an individual temperature rating and a range of clever designs, so have a think about where you’re going and what you’ll be doing before letting go of that hard earned coin. You’d be surprised the difference a hooded sleeping bag makes to heat retention!
Eat Your Heart Out – BBQs & Cookers
The Aussie barbie is a quintessential part of the camping experience that the whole family enjoys. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting stuck into a good steak or chowing down on some bacon and eggs (the true breakfast of champions), the aroma of a good BBQ cook up is hard to beat. BBQs and camping are a match made in heaven so it’s no surprise to see manufacturers getting on the band wagon with products that are specifically designed for the camping life. Light and compact is what sets these beauties apart, helping to fit the hole in your camping kit and make every meal 5 star. From Weber’s extensive range of BBQs and accessories to the convenience of a Gasmate or Companion cooker, things don’t get much better than this.
Put Your Feet Up – Camping Chairs & Loungers
Many of you see camping as the perfect escape from everyday life and a chance to enjoy a little R’n’R. Well, in order to really get into the mood, it’s important to have somewhere you can kick your feet up. There’s no shortage of great camping chairs and loungers on the market, perfect for the outback adventurer. It doesn’t matter if you’re relaxing by the riverbank or laying back campside, these pearlers are a must-have addition to the camping kit. With its clever construction and lightweight materials that make relaxation at the campsite a piece of cake, our traditional camping chair is sure to be a winner for many campers. Director's chairs are another great option, they make sitting down for a meal or beating your mates at cards feel a whole lot better on the back. Last but definitely not least the lounger can make anyone feel like the king or queen of the campsite, adding a little slice of luxury meaning the whole crew will want to pinch for themselves.
Remember, Safety First – First Aid Kits
Everyone wants to make the most of their Easter escape and we want it to be fun and laughter-filled, but most of all we want it to be safe. With the number of people hitting the outdoors at an all-time high on the holiday breaks, it’s no surprise that the odd injury does occur. So, what can you do? Well, just like most things in life preparation is your best mate. Invest in a good first aid kit and don’t panic when things go sideways. There’s plenty of quality kits to choose from that are choc a bloc safety essentials, from bandages and blankets, antiseptics, and icepacks you’ll be able to deal with practically anything.
Easter and camping, how can you go wrong? It's just around the corner now, so get ready for some fun! Our essentials gear guide is sure have egg-xactly what you need for an epic Easter escape, so 'hop' in-store to your local BCF today or head online and shop our Easter Sale!
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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