Say G'day to more of Australia with G'day Parks

You’ve decided it’s time to bite the bullet and try camping for the first time—how good.

Only, you’re not sure where to start.

Never fear, G’day Parks has got you covered. Read on for our advice about setting up, making the most of your campsite, and essential camping gear. From checking your van weight to staying comfortable in all weather (with holiday hacks from our camping community along the way), these top tips will help you feel confident, prepared, and – most importantly – excited. In no time, you’ll be reporting back to your family and friends about your first-time camping adventure—and booking your next one on the G’day Parks app and online.

Image: Discovery Parks - Clare

A drive-through site is designed for big rigs, named because you can simply drive in one way and out the other—forget backing up, three-point turns, or tiny manoeuvres to park your campervan. Simply rock up to a great destination, like Discovery Parks - Clare or Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, and get ready to switch into holiday mode.

There are multiple kinds of site surfaces, including grass, slab, dirt, and gravel, so it’s important to make sure you’re on the right kind of surface for how you’re travelling (for instance, pitching your tent on course gravel is unlikely to lead to a comfy night’s sleep).

PREPPING THE PERFECT CAMPSITE

Image: Discovery Parks - Fraser Street, Hervey Bay

Tent Camping for Beginners

There’s no need to feel overawed by all the bits and pieces—setting up your tent is easier than it looks.

Practise pitching your tent correctly in your backyard, local park, or living room before heading off. This way, you can work through the instructions with no ticking time pressure and make sure there aren’t any poles or pegs missing.

After you check in at the caravan park, find your site and start setting up your tent straight away. It’s best to maximise the daylight hours for your first camping trip, just in case. If your site is not perfectly level, that’s okay—rotate the tent and arrange your sleeping gear so that you are laying with your head at the highest point. That way, you won’t slip sideways or backwards and can enjoy a good night's sleep.

Image: Standown Park

Once your tent is ready to go, you're free to enjoy your evening around the caravan park. Some places, like Standown Park, run happy hour around the fire pit each night where you can meet fellow travellers, while other caravan parks like Belair National Park Holiday Park are right next door to national parks for a late afternoon bushwalking experience.

READ: Your Ultimate Guide to Camping in the Rain

“[I use] pool noodles and solar lights around our tent legs—safety first! No trip hazards in the dark!’ – Lee-Ann

“Prioritise safety with a comprehensive first aid kit and functional fire extinguishers. Designate roles and follow a routine for setting up and packing down to streamline the process. Say ‘yes’ to new adventures.” – Wendy

Image: Discovery Parks - Mount Surprise

Caravans, Campervans, Big Rigs, You Name It!

From first timers to experienced campers, step one is to assess your site before you drive onto it. Sure, this may seem obvious, but it’s best to get out of the car to check the surface and size of the site (and where the power/water supply is). That way, you can drive on confidently.

Then, it’s time to secure, stabilise, and level your caravan or camper with levelling ramps and wheel chocks. Both are necessary for your safety and comfort. Even powered slab sites may come with a slight gradient, so levelling ramps provide stability and counteract uneven surfaces. Wheel chocks prevent accidental rolling and movement of your vehicle.

“If you have to chock your van to get it level on a site, make sure you always pull the van up onto the chocks, not back it up onto them. That way, if there [are] any problems, it will go backwards and not into your vehicle when re-hitching.” – Robyn

If you’re staying on a powered site, connect your electricity. Inspect your power cords for any damage, check that they are uncoiled and set up safely, and make sure you have a safety switch enabled (this will automatically disconnect your power if a fault is detected).

“Always put an upturned bucket over your caravan jockey wheel, to ensure water doesn’t get into the jockey wheel bearing.” – Brian

Image: Gundagai Cabins and Tourist Park

Check Your Van Weight

Every caravan has an ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass), which specifies the highest weight that the caravan can be to remain safe on the roads. Depending on how many people are travelling in your vehicle – and how much gear you’ve accumulated – you can tip over the scales. Beyond the safety risk, you could also get fined, if you get pulled over by police. To make sure your caravan is compliant – and roadworthy – you can find public weighbridges or use a service like Weight Check. Even better, Gundagai Cabins and Tourist Park has its own on-site weighbridge, where you can ‘stay and weigh’.

“Always weigh what you’re carrying in your van and keep a spreadsheet updated, so you can keep on top of what you’re carrying.” – Rae

CAMPING ESSENTIALS

Image: Discovery Parks - West Beach Parks

Now, it’s time to bring your ideal campsite to life! Here are a few of our favourite camping essentials and handy, must-have items to amplify your experience.

Power Hacks

Use a power board with surge protection. It means you’ll be able to run small appliances or charge multiple devices at once—safely. Plus, portable chargers and solar panels are great ways to charge your devices during the day.

“Bring a power strip on your travels. Instantly increase charging capacity … keeping all devices powered and ready!” – Daniel

Bring LED camp lights for when darkness falls. These lights are efficient, helpful, and great for creating ambiance. Best of all, they won’t drain power the way traditional lights do.

G’day Rewards members get exclusive deals with The Good Guys Commercial on everything from solar panels to heated electric blankets.

Image: Discovery Parks - Hahndorf

Tips and tricks to make your campsite feel like home

Bring a small folding table and camping chairs. It’s a straightforward, simple way to create a comfortable zone to hang out outdoors, where you can enjoy meals, board games, and chats.

Lock up your bikes and valuables when you’re not at the site, so you can head out for daily adventures with the peace of mind that your set-up is safe back at the caravan park.

Pack biodegradable wipes or spray cleaner. Sure, cleaning’s the worst part of any holiday, but that’s all the more reason to keep it easy and eco-friendly. (Hey, if you’re a G’day Rewards member, you can get a discount on EcoTraveller products.)

Use shade mesh flooring or camping mats to limit the amount of dirt inside your tent or caravan. This will help your clothes, hiking boots, cooking equipment, belongings, and – most of all – you stay clean and tidy.

“A cheap yoga mat makes a great entrance mat to keep dirt out of your tent.” – Deborah

Treat other campers the way you want to be treated and follow campground rules. Don’t take shortcuts by walking through their campsites or play loud music in the late night hours. Keep shared amenities, like bathrooms and laundry facilities, clean and tidy for the next guest.

Stay comfortable, all year round

Image: Discovery Parks - Lake Argyle

Going on a summer camping holiday? For hot weather protection, make sure you bring shade sails, awnings, and portable fans (a fantastic, low-energy cooling option). It’s also worth asking the park if they can allocate you a shady site. When setting up your tent or van, position it with the afternoon sun in mind to camp comfortably. Cook outside to avoid generating heat inside your caravan and beware of fires—install a smoke detector in your vehicle, keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and never leave open fires unattended.

“We like to put up the awning and relax in the shade with a good book, glass of wine, cheese, and biscuits.” – Marion

For winter camping trips, thermal curtains and window insulation can help you retain heat. During inclement weather conditions, unplug electrical devices (where you can), store them at the highest ground possible, and switch your gas supplies off. For the chilly nights, bring a hot water bottle, extra layers, or even a compact heater.

“Only pack clothes that can go in the dryer! There’s nothing worse than having to deal with half-dry clothes when you need to pack up and get on the road.” – Emma

Here's more Holiday Hacks from experienced campers

Check out more of Robert's #HolidayHacks here!

“Use shower caps to cover your shoes when packing. They protect clothes from dirt, keep things organised, and save space—perfect for stress-free travel!” – Deirdre

“Always pack a bag of clothes pegs. They have so many more uses than just holding your washing. Curtains don’t close fully? Not a problem. That open packet of brekky cereal? Paperwork you need to keep together? Even pegging a tea towel onto the front of your T-shirt to make a makeshift apron while you’re cooking a BBQ.” – Sylvia

“Choose your own adventure. You don’t have to go somewhere just because it’s a ‘must-do’. Don’t fear ‘missing out’ either—for every place you miss, you get to go somewhere else, maybe even better.” – Christie

“Make sure that when you finish one holiday, before you get home, you have the next one booked! This stops life from ‘getting in the way’ and ensures that you always have a new adventure on the horizon.” – Ellie

Image: Central Warrnambool Holiday Park and Motel

Excited to get cracking on your first camping trip? You’ve come to the right place—search and book more than 330 parks around Australia on the G’day Parks app or online.