We’ve all been there. You’ve got the shiny new gear, the expensive tent, and the excitement levels are through the roof. But then you pull up to camp, the sun starts setting, and the panic sets in. You realize you can’t light the fire because it’s windy, you can’t hammer in the pegs because the ground is like concrete, and (worst of all) you have no way to wash the dinner plates!
There is a massive difference between "packing light" and "forgetting the basics." So we’ve put together the top 10 items first-timers almost always leave behind. These aren't the big-ticket items; they are the small, unsexy things that make the difference between enduring a trip and actually enjoying it.
Before you head off on your maiden voyage, double-check this list.
Real Pillows
Let’s just rip the band-aid off. There is no such thing as a "good" camping pillow. Inflatable ones feel like sleeping on a balloon, and the scrunchable foam ones offer zero support.
A real pillow from your bed at home is the key to a good night’s sleep. If you have space in the 4X4, bring the real deal. Your neck will thank you in the morning.
A Proper Hammer
We’ve all seen the "bush mechanic" trying to smash a tent peg into hard ground using a rock or the heel of their boot. It’s painful, it damages your pegs, and frankly, it doesn't work very well. Pack a proper hammer or a mallet. They are small, easy to stash, and they make setting up camp a five-minute job instead of a thirty-minute struggle.
person using a mallet to hammer a tent peg into the ground
Warm Clothes
Yes, even in Summer!
Don't be fooled into thinking a 30-degree day means a warm night. Desert temps drop like a stone when the sun goes down, and coastal breezes can cut right through you. It is infinitely harder to get warm once you’re cold than it is to cool down when you’re hot. Always throw in a hoodie, a beanie, and some trackies. Better to have them and not need them.
Welding Gloves
Most people have no idea why they’d need these, but once you use them, you’ll never camp without them. A pair of heavy-duty leather welding gloves turns you into the master of the campfire. Put them on and you can easily rearrange burning logs, pick up hot grills, or pull a camp oven straight out of the coals without losing your eyebrows.
A Long-Neck Utility Lighter
Matches break. They get wet. They blow out in the wind. Cigarette lighters inevitably end up burning your thumb when you try to light the fire starters. A long-neck utility lighter is the only way to go. It can be poked into the middle of a kindling stack or under a gas burner, and it lights every time—even when the weather turns.
a long-necked lighter lighting some kindling in a campfire
The Washing Up Kit
So many first-timers pack the plates, the cutlery, and the frying pan, but completely forget they’ll need to clean them. Pack a dedicated tub with eco-friendly detergent, a tea towel, and a steel scourer (affectionately known as a Shirley Temple). Without this kit, you’ll be eating breakfast off last night’s greasy dinner plates. And nobody wants that.
A Folding Table
If you don't have a table, you are putting everything on the ground. And the ground is where the ants live. You might be happy eating off your lap, but food prep, washing up, and playing cards are all infinitely better on a flat surface. Keep your food out of the dirt and save your back from hunching over.
Heavy-Duty Rubbish Bags
Take only photos, leave only footprints. And make sure all your rubbish leaves with you.
Don't rely on flimsy shopping bags that tear the second you put a tin can in them. You need heavy-duty garbage bags.
PRO TIP: Don’t leave them out overnight. Possums and currawongs are experts at spreading your trash across three campsites while you sleep.
a bin bag on sand next to rocks
Dustpan and Brush
The outdoors is full of sand, dirt, and leaves. By the end of day one, the inside of your tent will be too. A quick sweep of the tent floor before you roll out the sleeping bags stops that gritty feeling getting into your bed. It’s a tiny bit of effort for a massive increase in comfort.
Toilet Paper
This should probably be number one on the list (or number two’s?), but we saved it for dramatic effect. Toilet paper is literally the first thing you should put in the car. Newbies always forget it, assuming the campsite drop toilet will be fully stocked. It won't be. The Golden Rule: Keep a roll in a zip-lock bag so it stays dry, and keep it accessible.
a person behind a tree holding out toilet paper
The Verdict
You don't need to spend thousands on gadgets to have a good time, but you do need to cover the basics. These small additions to your packing list will ensure your first trip is memorable for the right reasons, not because you froze all night and ate off dirty plates.
Share this with a mate who needs to see this before their first trip!
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