Camping Buying Guide

You can enjoy a home-cooked meal, even when you are on the road or in a remote location. Cook or prepare delicious meals such as soup, pasta sauce, or burger patties, and then use a vacuum sealer to preserve your results. With all the chopping, mixing, and marinating out of the way, it takes less time to prepare supper at your camping site. And, because vacuum sealers help to retain flavours, your food will taste as good as if you’ve just made it, heightening your camping experience.

When you are on a hiking adventure or out and about exploring nature, you need the best kind of fuel to keep your body going. A food dehydrator lets you prepare food at home and dehydrate your meals. This process helps to preserve your food while also lightening your load. This is an excellent option if you are constantly on the move. The dehydration process is great for vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots. Forget two-minute noodles. For a healthier option, use a food dehydrator instead.

Ideal for short trips, a fibreglass or polyethylene icebox is a reliable choice to keep your food and beverages cold for up to several days. Designed to be robust, modern iceboxes are made with ultra-durable materials to provide exceptional insulation while enduring harsh Australian environments. Whether you are going to a romantic beachside trip with your partner for a few days or a weekend camping trip with the family, your icebox will ensure your food and drinks are cold and secure.

A portable fridge is an essential food storage item to keep your food and beverages cold when you are camping or on the road for longer than a week. You can choose from a single zone or dual-zone portable fridge. The latter provides greater flexibility as you can store frozen food in one compartment while keeping items chilled in another compartment. Choose a model with a wide range of charging options for flexibility. Some models can be charged from the cigarette lighter socket found in vehicles, which is handy if you are driving for most of the trip. It’s also a good idea to check beforehand which power outlets are available at your campsite to ensure you can keep your portable fridges charged. With a range of models from top brands including Dometic CFX, Waeco and myCOOLMAN, there's a great portable fridge for every camping trip.

Don’t get lost and put your travel plans in disarray. Travel smarter with a GPS navigation system and ensure you arrive at your desired camping ground without complications.

A dedicated GPS navigation system is a more reliable option compared to a navigation app on your phone, especially when you are driving through areas where cellular coverage is patchy. While most smartphones have built-in GPS apps, they download portions of the map as you go, which may result in high mobile data charges or rapid draining of your phone’s battery. If you download entire maps on your phone, they can take up a lot of memory space.

With our range of GPS and navigation systems, you don’t have to be at the mercy of your phone’s coverage or battery life. You can also enjoy the convenience of navigation features that come in handy on long drives, such as spoken safety alerts and landmark guidance. If you are driving a campervan or a large vehicle, some navigation systems will inform you when there are low overpasses or narrow roads on your route. 

The smell of barbecued meat wafting through the air. Enjoying a hearty breakfast as you watch the sun rise. Sharing supper with loved ones under the night sky. Mealtimes are made extra special when you’re camping, so it’s crucial you have the right cookware to prepare your open air feasts with your impromptu camp kitchen. There are a few things to consider:

Weight and size

Make sure to note the weight of the appliance if you need to carry your gear from your vehicle to the campsite. It’s also a good idea to check the dimensions to see if it can fit in your vehicle.

Hood or no hood?

Portable barbecues can come with a hood, enabling you to cook in more ways such as roasting and baking. If you are only grilling meats or cooking simple meals, then a hood may not be necessary.

Charcoal, electric or gas?

Charcoal barbecues are not recommended for camping as most campsites and parks will not allow them. They are also prohibited on total fire ban days. Please check with your campsite’s point of contact or relevant state authorities regarding restrictions.

Electric barbecues are quick to heat up, easy to set up, and simple to clean, but these can only be used if there is a suitable outlet at your campsite.

Gas barbecues are perfectly suited for your cooking needs while camping. They give you that authentic barbecue flavour and your heat source travels with you so you don’t need to worry about electric outlets. And of course you can't forget about the cutlery and BBQ accessories such as spatulas, tongs, and even wok tools, which will help you create delicious meals. 

The call of adventure transcends the seasons and while a sleeping bag or swag may be enough to keep you warm, without needing to create a campfire or a firepit. With small portable heaters powered by gas, you can stay toasty and comfortable throughout those colder nights. 

Waking up to the sounds of nature and breathing in the crisp morning air are some of the simple joys of camping. A mug of hot, freshly brewed coffee is the final touch to complete this idyllic setting. Don’t spoil it with a sad cup of instant coffee. Nothing comes close to an espresso. Thankfully, we have a range of compact, easy-to-carry espresso makers that will satisfy your caffeine cravings for your next camping trip. All you need is water, ground coffee, and a portable stove, and you will have an aromatic cup of coffee in just a few minutes. All that's left to do is sit back in your camping chair and enjoy the morning. 

While exploring the great outdoors means being at one with nature and enjoying the tranquil setting, sometimes you need to find other ways to entertain yourself or the family. We have a selection of portable DVD players to keep everyone occupied. These products are ideal for a movie night under the stars, or to keep your kids occupied when you are on the road or when you’re busy preparing dinner.

When you’re going somewhere off the beaten track, a radio can help you stay connected. You can also listen to music to help you relax or provide background sounds while you’re setting up camp. For a comprehensive selection, look for a model that can pick up AM/FM signals as well as Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+). Some digital radio models double as an alarm clock, so you can wake up on time and stay on schedule. A handy clock radio by your side is perfect when you want to wake up early to catch the sunrise.

The sounds of nature are great for relaxing and clearing the mind but when you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, sometimes you need something more upbeat. Portable speakers are perfect for camping as they are compact and lightweight. Look for models that are designed with dust and water resistance, so you can have peace of mind when using your speaker outdoors. So whether you are on the beach, or socialising with friends by the lake, a portable bluetooth speaker will offer quality music to accompany your adventures. But remember to be a considerate camper and keep volumes on low to avoid disturbing fellow campers.

With a large range of camping equipment for every stage of your journey at Appliances Online, we can help you ensure your next camping trip is relaxing, comfortable, and enjoyable.