How to Start Camping Without Spending a Fortune

You do not need a rooftop tent, lithium power system, portable fridge and a trailer full of specialised equipment to start camping. For a first trip, you need safe shelter, somewhere comfortable to sleep, suitable clothing, water, basic food preparation and dependable lighting.

The cheapest sensible approach is to camp close to home for one or two nights, borrow bulky equipment and use household items where they are suitable. That lets you discover what you genuinely value before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars.

How much does a beginner camping setup need to cost?

The answer depends on what you already own and whether you can borrow the expensive items. A couple using household bedding and a borrowed tent may need to buy very little. A family purchasing everything new will spend considerably more.

Instead of setting one unrealistic dollar amount, divide the equipment into three groups:

• Must have: Shelter, sleep insulation, drinking water, lighting, suitable clothing, food and essential safety items.
• Useful but borrowable: Tent, chairs, table, esky, stove and larger cookware.
• Optional luxuries: Portable fridge, power station, solar panels, gazebo, camping shower, expensive furniture and elaborate kitchen systems.

Your first trip should prove that you enjoy camping before the optional group receives any money.

A sensible first-trip budget

Start with one easy night

Your first trip is not the time to drive deep into remote country and test a completely new setup in bad weather. Choose a campground that is:

• within a comfortable drive of home;
• accessible by your normal vehicle;
• bookable in advance;
• equipped with toilets;
• near drinking water or clear about how much you must bring;
• within mobile coverage where possible;
• close enough to shops for forgotten essentials; and
• not exposed to extreme heat, cold, wind or fire conditions.

A one-night trip provides enough time to learn how the gear works without requiring a large food supply, complicated power arrangements or several changes of clothing.

Borrow before you buy

A tent, esky, folding table and camp chairs may sit unused in someone else’s garage. Borrowing lets you test the type of equipment before choosing your own.

When borrowing gear:

1. Ask whether anything is damaged or missing.
2. Pitch the tent at home and check every pole, peg and zip.
3. Photograph how unfamiliar equipment is packed.
4. Confirm that a stove and its fuel connections are in good condition.
5. Clean and dry everything before returning it.
6. Replace anything you lose or damage.

Hiring can also make sense for an occasional trip, particularly when storage space at home is limited.

Use household items carefully

Many ordinary household items work perfectly well for easy car camping:

• pillows and blankets;
• plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery;
• a saucepan and frying pan suitable for the cooking method;
• tea towels and rubbish bags;
• storage tubs;
• a washing-up bowl;
• toilet paper;
• basic toiletries; and
• warm clothing and rainwear.

Avoid taking fragile glassware, valuable cookware or anything that could be damaged by soot, sand or rough handling.

Where your money matters most

A weatherworthy tent

The tent does not need to be expensive, but it must suit the number of people, expected weather and campsite. A cheap tent that leaks, collapses or has no ventilation can ruin the trip.

For car camping, choose a tent with enough floor space for the sleepers and their essential gear. Remember that the number printed on the package often assumes people sleeping closely together with little room for bags.

Check that it includes:

• a complete set of poles;
• a rainfly suited to the design;
• enough pegs and guy lines;
• mesh ventilation;
• a floor in sound condition; and
• instructions you understand.

Insulation underneath you

The ground can draw heat away from the body. A sleeping bag or doona on top does not replace insulation underneath.

A foam mat is inexpensive and dependable but less cushioned. An inflatable sleeping mat may be more comfortable and compact but can puncture. A household air mattress offers cushioning but may be cold unless additional insulation is used.

Reliable lighting

A head torch keeps both hands free while cooking, finding equipment or walking to the toilet. It is usually more useful than relying on a phone light.

Take spare batteries or charge rechargeable lights before leaving. A simple lantern can provide general campsite lighting without blinding everyone nearby.

Water and basic safety equipment

Do not assume the campground has drinkable water. Read the official site listing and bring enough drinking and cooking water when required.

Also carry:

• a basic first-aid kit;
• personal medicines;
• sunscreen and a hat;
• insect repellent;
• weather-appropriate clothing;
• a fully charged phone;
• offline directions or a map;
• a rubbish bag; and
• emergency contact information.

What you do not need for the first trip

A portable camping fridge

For one or two nights, a suitable esky packed with pre-chilled food and enough ice may be all you need. A compressor fridge also requires a safe power arrangement, adding considerably to the cost.

Buy a powered fridge only after you know your trip length, available vehicle space, cooling needs and likely power system.

A large lithium power station

A charged phone, power bank and battery-powered lighting can cover a simple overnight trip. A large power station becomes useful when you need to run refrigeration, medical equipment, laptops or other significant loads.

Buying one before calculating your actual requirements often leads to overspending or choosing the wrong capacity.

Solar panels

Solar is not necessary for a short trip when all essential batteries can be charged at home. Its performance also depends on sunlight, shade, panel position, weather and the charging system.

A rooftop tent or camper trailer

These options can be worthwhile for particular travel styles, but they add cost, storage requirements, setup considerations and extra weight. A basic borrowed or hired ground tent is a better way to discover whether you enjoy camping.

A complete matching camp kitchen

A simple stove, suitable pan, utensils, water container and washing-up equipment can prepare an easy meal. Elaborate kitchens make more sense after you know how you prefer to cook and organise the campsite.

Choose a campground that saves you money

The lowest advertised campsite fee is not always the lowest total trip cost. A distant free campground may require more fuel, a capable vehicle and additional equipment.

Compare:

• camping and booking fees;
• national-park entry fees;
• fuel and tolls;
• distance to shops and emergency help;
• toilets and shower facilities;
• whether drinking water is available;
• whether picnic tables or barbecues are provided;
• firewood rules;
• road access and vehicle requirements; and
• cancellation conditions.

Some NSW national-park campgrounds have no camping fee but still require a paid booking, while park-entry fees may be separate. Always check the individual campground listing before travelling.

Keep the first menu simple

Complicated meals require more ingredients, cookware, fuel, cleaning and refrigeration. Plan food that uses equipment you already understand.

A simple overnight menu might include:

• sandwiches or wraps for lunch;
• pre-prepared ingredients for dinner;
• oats, cereal or toast for breakfast;
• fruit and shelf-stable snacks;
• tea or coffee; and
• plenty of drinking water.

Prepare and portion ingredients at home. This reduces rubbish, preparation time and the risk of forgetting an important ingredient.

Keep food safe

Healthdirect advises keeping chilled food at or below 5°C. Pack perishable food only after it has been properly chilled and use enough ice or frozen blocks to maintain a safe temperature.

Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat food, and use separate utensils or clean them thoroughly between tasks. Wash and dry your hands before food preparation and after handling raw meat.

Do you need a camping stove?

A portable stove gives you more control than relying on a campfire, and some campgrounds provide barbecues or cooking facilities. Borrowing a sound, compliant stove can be sensible for the first trip.

Before use:

• read the manufacturer’s instructions;
• check hoses, seals and connections;
• use the correct fuel;
• place it on a stable, non-combustible surface;
• keep it outside in a well-ventilated location;
• keep it clear of tents and flammable material; and
• supervise it whenever lit.

Do not build the trip around a campfire

Campfires may be prohibited because of campground rules, seasonal restrictions or a Total Fire Ban. Even when permitted, you may need to use an existing fireplace and bring or purchase approved firewood.

Never collect wood where it is prohibited, leave a fire unattended or assume yesterday’s rules still apply.

Before lighting any fire:

1. Check the rules for the specific campground.
2. Check the current fire-danger rating and Total Fire Ban status.
3. Use the supplied fireplace where required.
4. Keep water immediately available.
5. Keep the fire well away from tents and equipment.
6. Maintain adult supervision.
7. Extinguish it completely with water before leaving or sleeping.

Buying used camping gear

Second-hand equipment can provide excellent value, particularly for furniture, storage tubs, tables and simple cookware.

Inspect used gear carefully:

• pitch tents and inspect seams, zips, mesh, poles and floors;
• check sleeping mats for slow leaks;
• inspect chairs for cracked joints and damaged fabric;
• check eskies for broken hinges and seals;
• confirm replacement parts remain available; and
• avoid damaged gas appliances, suspect cylinders and unsafe electrical equipment.

Do not assume an item is good value merely because the original retail price was high. Missing tent poles or specialised parts can make a cheap purchase useless.

Cheap equipment vs false economy

Practise at home first

A backyard or living-room practice setup can expose missing equipment without ruining the trip.

1. Pitch the tent completely.
2. Lie on the sleeping setup for at least twenty minutes.
3. Test every light.
4. Check that the stove and cookware work together.
5. Pack the equipment into the vehicle.
6. Confirm that poles, pegs and instructions are included.
7. Make a list of genuine problems—not imagined luxuries.

If the tent takes two hours and several arguments to erect at home, it will not become easier in darkness or rain.

A minimal first-trip packing list

Shelter and sleep

• Tent, poles, pegs, guy lines and mallet
• Groundsheet if required by the tent design
• Sleeping mat or mattress
• Sleeping bag or weather-appropriate bedding
• Pillow
• Warm sleepwear

Food and water

• Drinking and cooking water
• Simple planned meals
• Esky and sufficient ice for perishables
• Stove or confirmed campground cooking facility
• Fuel compatible with the stove
• One suitable pot or pan
• Plates, mugs and cutlery
• Knife and small cutting board
• Washing-up supplies
• Rubbish bags

Safety and personal items

• Head torch and spare power
• First-aid kit
• Personal medicines
• Sun protection
• Insect repellent
• Rain jacket and warm layer
• Sturdy footwear
• Toiletries and toilet paper
• Charged phone and power bank
• Booking confirmation and offline directions

Upgrade one problem at a time

After the trip, write down what actually caused discomfort or inconvenience.

• If you were cold from below, improve the sleeping mat.
• If the tent leaked, repair or replace the shelter.
• If the esky could not maintain a safe temperature, improve food storage.
• If phone power was inadequate, add an appropriate power bank.
• If setup took too long, simplify the equipment.

This approach produces a better setup than buying a complete collection based on advertising or someone else’s camping style.

Sources and further reading

• Parks Victoria: Camping for beginners
• Parks Victoria: Camping packing checklist
• Parks Victoria: Tips for your first camping trip
• NSW National Parks: Camping and accommodation
• NSW National Parks: Campground booking and fee information
• Fire and Rescue NSW: Caravans and camping fire safety
• Healthdirect: Food safety