Who doesn't love camping? For many Aussies there's nothing better than putting everyday life on pause and fully embracing That BCFing feelin'! If you've never tried it before, it's a whole lot of fun - so give it a crack! Now, not all of us have a pimped out 4X4 and more dough than a bakery, and that's completely fine. There's plenty of ways to do the camping thing on a budget. If you're looking to get outdoors without breaking the bank, these tips are sure to come in handy.
1. Camp in the off-season
The school holidays may seem like the perfect time to get away, but every man and his dog is thinking the same thing. If you're looking to save a few bucks on campground fees, have a think about planning your trip for outside peak season. This is the time when demand isn't quite so high, and prices are at their lowest. It's also great because things are a little quieter, roads aren't as busy, and lines aren't as long. If you tried to go anywhere at Chrissy, you know what we're talking about!
2. Prep your meals
Although it's fun (and delicious) to treat the fam with a night out from time to time, if you do it too often there'll be cobwebs in the wallet before long. If you're looking to camp on a budget, meals make any easy way to save some cashola. This isn't an audition for Masterchef, there's no need to impress. Keep things simple with some one-pot wonders or prepare your meals in advance; a time and money saver that's hard to beat.
3. Share with your mates
Camping with your friends is always a blast and presents another opportunity to save coin. You can share the costs and work out between you who has what. It's likely someone will have a tent, another is sure to have a gazebo, and who doesn't have a camping chair? Before long you've got a full camping kit ready for adventure. You know what they say, sharing is caring, and if you care about saving money then this one's an easy win.
4. Buy right, buy once
Avoid the cheap and cheerful, and instead go for the good quality and much longer lasting. This may not always sound like the smart thing to do but trust us, there's savings waiting for you down the track. This is super important for camping essentials like tents, sleeping bags, coolers, and camping chairs. While you don't have to choose the most expensive items out there (an arm and a leg is a bad deal), choosing quality camp gear that can go the distance is the way to go. If you're looking for the ultimate compromise of quality and price, you can't look past the Everyday Value range from BCF.
5. Stay close to home
There's no need to travel too far, 'cause BCFing good times are waiting just around the corner. Forget about airfares and even costly fuel bills, as these are things that'll burn a hole in your pocket. Check out what is going on in your local area and who knows, you may find a cracker of a campsite a stone's throw from home. If you're looking for ripper ideas on where to go, our mates at Hipcamp have a whole bunch of options you may find right up your alley.
So, there you have it, 5 handy hints for the budget friendly camper. You can still get That BCFing Feelin' and there's no need to skimp on the good stuff. If you're in need of some new camping gear, be sure to check out your local BCF store. If shopping from the comfort of home sounds more your thing, our online store has you covered.