12 best gifts for 4WDers

The Gifts

Camping coffee set

The only thing that beats the smell of fresh morning air when camping is that of a roasting coffee bean. It may be a creature comfort and some would argue the espresso machine belongs at home, but as someone who needs that boost of caffeine in the AM, it comes everywhere. That packet stuff simply won't do.

Portable espresso machine pictured in foilage

Head Torches

A bit of a camping staple, but don't underestimate the importance of having a few of these handy in your arsenal. Midnight loo runs, cooking, marshmallow stick hunting; they are the guiding light and the truth. Can't go wrong.

man sat over a campfire with his head torch shining and a tent in the backgorund

Multitool

The multitool, much like the can opener and windshield wiper, wasn't creatively named. Unlike these items, the multitool is a bit of a jack of all trades, which is perfect when camping. You never know when pliers or a knife will come in handy and this covers the whole tool kit.

mulitool sitting in a person's hand

Telescopic marshmallow forks

Save yourself the scrap for the supreme marshmallow stick and get yourself one of these bad boys. Not only will it always be the perfect length thanks to its adjustable rod, but you can even cook two at once: a must.

Camping hammock

Past experience has taught me not to sleep in a hammock overnight (back pain, mosquitoes, dew), but an arvo kip? A spot to read (or doomscroll)? Perfect. Finding those two trees with the perfect spacing and shade is oh-so-satisfying and truly relaxing.

A brown dog sitting in a green hammock in a forest

Portable air compressor

If you're someone who ventures off-road often, this one's for you. Managing your tyre pressure can seriously be the difference between making it through some soft sand or mud, and getting your tyres ready for the bitumen again is just as important. Not it's only use, the humble air compressor will also inflate your bike tyres and footballs, so you really can't go wrong with one of these in your boot.

Handheld UHF radios

Communication: one of the building blocks of humanity. This is just as true on the road (and especially off it). If you're mate isn't already equipped with one of these, it's the perfect gift to keep him and others safe on the tracks.

A UHF radio being held in someone's hand in a 4X4

Seat back organisers

You may think this one's just for the parents out there, but a seat back organiser is one of the best storage solutions for smaller items like first aid kits, chargers, books, tools and user's manuals. Of course, for those with kids, it's the perfect spot for snacks, toys and tablets, but don't underestimate the value of the back seat organiser.

LED light stand

Now, the headlights are only going to get you so far. Eventually you'll want something a little more stable and possibly with a little more luminosity. Perfect for a central light source under a gazebo or over the cooking station, you'll get some serious use out of this one.

Portable camp shower

Showers are another one of those home comforts that some people argue are unnecessary if going for a weekend camping trip. For anything longer, you'll need a shower if you don't want to end up like Chuck Noland. This portable camp shower is easy to use and who can argue with a shower amongst nature. Add it to the inventory.

A man operating a camp shower in a forest

Mini projector with Bluetooth

Nothing beats a movie to wrap up a cozy night around the campfire. With this projector you can stream straight from your phone onto the side of your fourbie or a strung up sheet. This one only needs 1.5m of room to throw up a full image, so you might even be able to set it up inside your tent.

Dirty gear bag

Whether you use it as a temporary bin, as firewood storage or for wet and muddy gear, the dirty gear bag is a great addition to your 4wd or caravan's spare tyre. A versatile bit of kit, it's the perfect gift for the camper who has everything.