Family Caravan and Camping Checklist (with free printable): 210 items that you can’t forget!

Whether you are planning an action-packed lap of Australia, exploring our beautiful coastal islands, a cheap local holiday, or are trip planning Australia, knowing what camping essentials NOT to forget is a down-right must! With this camping checklist (which is perfect for families like us), we have all your basis covered!

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What Should be on my Camping List?

If you are lucky enough some camping essentials may already be at your next campsite. Some National Parks campsites and free camping areas will have communal chairs, tables, fire pits and even a drop toilet to use. Caravan parks and the most popular National Parks may have camp kitchens, extra BBQ facilities and better bathroom and shower facilities.

What you need to pack will depend on where you are camping, how long you are camping for and whether you are camping alone. We have different camping set up for our lightweight hiking camps, our offroading adventures and our full-blown caravan and camping on a big Australian roadtrip.

A complete pack is especially important if you’ll be on the road long-term. Here’s one of the most comprehensive camping lists you’ll see on the internet. 210 items from camping shelter essentials to what your kids should bring. We don’t expect you to bring everything, but it also works if you do! DON’T FORGET TO GRAB THIS AS A FREE PRINTABLE CAMPING CHECKLIST TOO!

Camp Shelter Essentials

1. Tent (Poles, pegs, ropes)
2. Swag
3. Rooftop tent
4. Caravan/RV/Camper
5. Tarp/Annex Mat
6. Gazebo and Gazebo walls
7. Lantern
8. Extra ropes/pegs/guy lines
9. Hammer/Axe
10. Dust Pan and Brush
11. Shelter repair kits

Optional:

1. Awning/ Annex
2. Entrance Mat
3. Duct Tape
4. WD-40

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Read More: Lightweight Tents For The Entire Family!

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Campsite Sleep Essentials

1. Sleeping bag/sheet/bedding
2. Camp pillows & cases
3. Mattress/Airbed
4. Air pump
5. Comforter
6. Repair Kit for Air Mattress

Optional:

1. Camp Stretcher
2. Extra bedding
3. Storage bag
4. Hammock and ropes
5. Sleeping bag liners

Camp Equipment

1. Compass
2. Small Shovel
3. Fuel
4. Camp Chair
5. Table (if there are none)
6. Batteries
7. 2-Way Radio/Walkie Talkies
8. Generator or Solar
9. Head Torch
10. Multi-Tools
11. Clothes Washing & Line
12. Laundry detergent
13. Hangers

Optional:

1. Swiss Army Knife
2. Extra batteries
3. Table cloths
4. Picnic Blanket

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Read More: All Events Around Australia You Can Travel To!

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Campfire Kitchen Equipment

1. Pots, Pans and Skillets
2. Camp Oven
3. Grill/Jaffle Iron
4. Camp Stove or BBQ
5. Stove Fuel
6. Fire Grate
7. Griddle
8. Coffee Pot
9. Camp Fridge/Cooler
10. Tongs & Kitchen Knives
11. Plates, Bowls & Cutlery
12. Wash bins/Camp Sink
13. Ice/Ice Packs
14. Bottle Opener & Stubby Coolers
15. Cups and Mugs
16. Cutting Board
17. Fire Starter
18. Pot Holders
19. Matches/Lighter
20. Food Storage
21. Dishwashing Liquid
22. Teatowel and Dish Cloth
23. Rubbish Storage and Bags

Optional:

1. Extra Water
2. Extra Water Containers
3. Extra Propane for Stove
4. Tin Foil
5. Cling Wrap
6. Charcoal
7. Sandwich Bags/Zip Locks
8. Corkscrew
9. Portable coffee maker/ French press

Complete your camping food list with these breakfast ideas, lunch-time camping food, easy roadtrip travel snacks for kids and your ultimate dinner food idea.

Lighting

1. Flashlights
2. Lanterns
3. Bulbs
4. Candles/Mozzie Coils
5. Gas lights
6. LED head lights

Power

1. Power Generator
2. Camping Solar Panels
3. Jumper Leads
4. Inverter
5. Jump Starter Pack
6. Battery Charger
7. Oil/Fuel Source
8. Device Chargers/Cables
9. Power banks

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Read More: This is How You Add Power Supply to a Camper

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Showering and Hygiene

1. Shampoo & Conditioner
2. Body Soap/Body Wash
3. Towels
4. Shaving Products
5. Feminine Hygiene Products
6. Toothpaste & Toothbrush
7. Floss & Mouthwash
8. Deodorant
9. Insect Repellant
10. Toilet Paper
11. Hand Sanitiser

Optional:

1. Portable Shower
2. Portable Toilet
3. Toilet Chemicals

Clothing

1. Plenty of Cotton Shirts
2. Hiking Shorts
3. Long Trousers
4. Underwear
5. Camping Jacket
6. Hats
7. Sunglasses
8. Swimwear
9. Socks
10. Hiking Shoes
11. Thongs
12. Dirty Laundy Bag

Optional:

1. Extra layers for warmth
2. Rainwear
3. Winter: Scarf, Beanie, Gloves
4. Spare clothes

Personal

1. Prescription Medication
2. Lotion
3. Toiletries
4. Mobile phone
5. Accessories
6. Camera/Drone
7. ID Card
8. Cash
9. Tickets/Reservations/Documentations
10. Music

Fire

1. Firewood
2. Lighter/Flint & Steel
3. Tinder Kit
4. Fire Extinguisher

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Read More: Travelling with Kids? Here’s a list of Gadgets They Might Need For The Trip

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Living

1. Survival Knife
2. Zip ties
3. Day Pack
4. Bedroll
5. Sports Equipment
6. Card Games/Board Games
7. Books
8. Kids Toys
9. Paracord
10. Trash Bags

Protection

1. Sunscreen
2. Bug repellent
3. Umbrella
4. Moisturizer
5. Chapstick
6. Eye Drops

First Aid

1. Antiseptic
2. Alcohol
3. Cotton Balls/Pads
4. Multi-size Plasters
5. Sterile Gauze Dressing
6. Sterile Gloves
7. Safety Pin
8. Sterile Eye Dressing
9. Medical Scissors
10. Tweezers
11. Hand Sanitizer
12. Sticky Tape
13. Digital Thermometer
14. Rash creams
15. EpiPen
16. Family Painkillers
17. Cough medicine
18. Distilled water
19. Eye wash/bath
20. Antihistamine
21. Surgical Suture

For the full list of Road Trip Essential : What to pack for First Aid and Health read this post.

Exploration/4WD

1. Machete
2. Extra Fuel and Water
3. Jerry Cans
4. Maps & Guides
5. Water Canteen
6. GPS Nav or App
7. Shovel
8. Air Compressor
9. Spare Tyre
10. Tyre Repair Kit
11. Tyre Deflator & Pressure Gauge
12. UHF
13. Sat Phone/EPERB
14. Lift Jack
15. Mechanical Fluids
16. Winch
17. 4WD Recovery Kit & Tracks
18. Mechanic Tools
19. Rope
20. Jumper Kit
21. Binoculars
22. Chainsaw/Reciprocating Chainsaw

Fishing Gear

1. Family Life vest
2. Fishing Pole
3. Lures and Bait
4. Reels
5. Tackle Box
6. Fillet Knife
7. Folding Chair
8. Bucket
9. Multi-size Fishing Lines

Kids

1. Spare Clothes
2. Indoor Toys
3. Outdoor Toys
4. Kids Bikes/Scooters/Helmets
5. Leisure Books
6. School/Homeschooling Books
7. Comforter
8. Tablet with Apps
9. Writing Tools/School Supplies
10. Spare Footwear
11. Lost Child ID/Temporary Safety Tattoo
12. Pets and Pet Equipment

Read about our favourite FREE Educational and Homeschool Australia apps here.

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Thanks for reading. My name is Noela, and I’m a self-confessed travel fanatic and unshakeable optimist!

3 years of full-time travel, 7 different countries, 2 incredible childhoods – and we’re nowhere near done! We wanted to not waste a moment of our kids’ childhood, live a life with no regrets and were prepared to jump out of our comfort level to do it!

We budget, we adventure, and love nothing more than the feeling a fresh adventure and dirt beneath our toes.

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