Blueprint: A foolproof guide to camping:
Jump To
01Dress code
02What to pack
03What to drink
04What to eat
05Playlist
06Don’t forget
Learn|Blueprint|Beer|Wine

Blueprint: A foolproof guide to camping

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 10 Apr 2025

By
Emily Reed

Setting up a tent on a camping trip

Sleeping bag? Check. Pre-downloaded playlist? Check. Tongs? Check. Let’s go.

Good food, good drink, good friends – at its essence, a camping trip is a timeless combination of elements brought to life by the individual touch that everyone contributes to the occasion. To help you pull off your best and most fun-filled gathering yet, our Dan’s Daily Blueprints tell you everything you need to host whatever event is next on your hit list.

With hotly anticipated long weekends peppered throughout the year, it’d be rude not to plan a camping trip (or three). There’s something inherently magical about packing your car, hitting the wide-open road, and finding the perfect spot to spend time reconnecting with nature, surrounded by the people who fill your cup. Why do eggs taste better when they’re fried over a campfire? What’s that feeling of calm that washes over you the moment you stop and listen to the birds? And how does the Milky Way never cease to amaze us? Camping is the best. That’s why we’ve pulled together this comprehensive guide to doing it well – from what to pack to planning some fun-themed nights, we’ve got your foolproof getaway covered.
Jump To
01Dress code
02What to pack
03What to drink
04What to eat
05Playlist
06Don’t forget
Dress codeNow, we’ll start with suggesting sensible, weather-appropriate clothing and accessories like thermals, gumboots, fleecy jumpers and rain jackets – they should be on the list because there’s nothing worse than freezing your butt off in a tent. If you’re camping in the middle of summer, consider lightweight layers, plenty of linen and loose-fitting items, and anything that’s going to offer good sun protection (including a wide-brimmed hat) for hiking/canoeing/sitting around the campsite playing a board game. For those who are looking to go that extra mile, you could even plan a themed night during the trip. Some ideas to get the ball rolling include Op Shop Chic, Country and Western Extravaganza, and ’80s Prom Night.
What to packSome essential items are going to make or break your camping weekend. For instance, if you don’t have somewhere warm and comfortable to rest, you just won’t have a good time. Unless you plan on jumping in a sleeping bag under the stars, we’d strongly suggest a good, waterproof tent as a starting point because the weather is unpredictable and the mozzies are ravenous. Then there’s a comfy mattress – preferably one you can fill with air. Hot tip: use a pump that plugs into your car, not a foot pump, unless you want to be inflating that mattress for two hours. Don’t forget plenty of extra bedding for when the temperature dips at 4am (it will). Other items like camping chairs, a table, portable lights, a shovel and loo paper if you’re going off-grid, cooking utensils, an esky for your food and drinks, hand sanitiser, and bug repellent are all no-brainers. But what about the things that are often overlooked? Don’t forget a Bluetooth speaker (do forget a guitar), a good book, some solar-powered fairy lights to string up around your campsite and, everyone’s favourite, Finska.

Click image to shop

What to drink

1. An easy-going beer

Kicking off with a classic all-rounder that will keep everyone’s palates happy and their thirsts quenched: Mountain Goat Very Enjoyable Beer. You just can’t beat this easy-drinking lager; brewed with Aussie hops, it’s crisp, clean and nicely balanced with subtle tropical and floral notes with just a hint of malt sweetness. Just an uncomplicated, sessionable beer that’s one of Mountain Goat’s biggest sellers for a reason.

2. Something light and refreshing

Kirin has been kicking goals recently with their pre-mixed drinks and the Hyoketsu Peach is no exception. It’s a crisp, refreshing little number that combines vodka, soda and frozen peach juice. Thanks to Hyoten Toketsu tech (fancy!), it keeps that fresh, juicy peach flavour locked in and with only 116 calories in each 330mL can, it’s a popular choice for those who want a light, flavourful drink without needing to bring 17 ingredients to make it – and it fits nicely in the stubby holder of your camping chair.
The Hyoketsu Peach is a refreshing premix

Click image to shop

Yarra Burn Cuvee Prosecco in a can

Click image to shop

3. Something fancy in a can

Sometimes, the thought of having to bring a bottle of something nice feels like a bit of a task – especially when space in the esky is tight. The next best thing? Prosecco in a can. Yarra Burn Cuvee Prosecco is a refreshing non-vintage prosecco. It’s light, lively and bursting with fresh pear, pistachio and a hint of baker’s yeast on the nose. The flavour follows through with juicy pear and white nectarine, with a soft and crisp finish. Pour it into a plastic wine flute if you’re so inclined, or enjoy it alongside a fruit salad to really experience its magic. 

4. Wine sans the glass

Bagnums and camping are an undeniable match made in heaven. The perfect, portable vessel for some top-notch wine, the bagnum is a lightweight pouch with aluminium lining to lock in freshness. Complete with a built-in handle and tap at the bottom, it holds the equivalent of two bottles (a magnum). In short, it’s boxed wine, minus the box (great news if your campground doesn’t have a recycling bin). Rewild’s Shiraz Bagnum is  medium-bodied, with vibrant red fruits, hints of blueberry and vanilla, and a soft, elegant finish that will make you question if it did in fact come from a pouch. The perfect red to sip around the fire, if you ask us.

Click image to shop

What to eatThe first thing you need to figure out when planning a camping menu is whether or not you’ll be cooking over a fire (or barbecue). Often, this time of year there are fire restrictions in place, so check the park or campground’s website before you get too excited about packing the marshmallows. If you’re able to cook on a fire or barbie, pack the snags (veggie or meat), bacon, cheese slices, eggs and a loaf of sliced bread if you want to keep it simple. But don’t be afraid to get a little fancy. Cook a whole snapper and some broccoli over coals (pack a barbecue fish griller), and wrap up some potatoes in foil and nestle them into the embers before melting plenty of butter over them to serve. Buy a nice cut of meat and cook that over coals, too. Halloumi burgers? Easy! Breakfast of champions? Some shake-n-bake pancakes and fresh fruit. Just make sure you pack a frying pan (and saucepan while you’re at it). Or lean into the Easter theme and toast some hot cross buns on the fire. Essentially, don’t overthink it – plan each meal out so no key ingredients are left behind. And yes, marshmallows are strongly encouraged – the more burnt, the better.
PlaylistWe think some of the best camping playlists are made by inviting everyone sitting around the campfire to contribute. So, rather than passing the guitar around, why not try passing around someone’s phone and taking turns queuing songs on Spotify? It’ll lead to an eclectic mix of genres and keep things interesting – you could even ask each person to share a memory related to that song to really stoke the campfire banter. Hot tip: if you’re heading out into the middle of nowhere for your camping trip and the signal will be patchy, make sure you pre-download a playlist on Spotify. Van Life is always a crowd-pleaser.
Don’t forgetHave you ever walked into one of those outdoorsy stores and thought, Wow, there’s a lot of camping gear in here!? That’s because when you go camping, you’re essentially taking all the things you enjoy at home and plonking them in the middle of the wilderness. You want those creature comforts, like a hot meal, a comfy chair, entertainment and shelter from the weather – especially if you’re sticking it out over several nights. So, with that in mind, to make the packing list less overwhelming, consider dividing and conquering with your fellow campers. Put someone in charge of groceries, another person on drinks, and the couple who’ve camped hundreds of times before on cooking utensils – because if you don’t have tongs for those baked potatoes cooked over coals, you’re in trouble.
For more step-by-steps on all sorts of hosting occasions, check out our other Blueprint guides on everything from Friendsmas to engagment parties and more.  
Shop related products
Mountain GoatVery Enjoyable Beer Cans 375mL
  • product badge
Very Enjoyable Beer Cans 375mL
Member Offer
$54.95 case (24)Non-Member: $58.99 case (24)
 
KirinHyoketsu Peach 330mL Can
Hyoketsu Peach 330mL Can
Member Offer
$24 per pack of 4Non-Member: $26.99 pack (4)
 
Yarra BurnCuvee Prosecco Cans 250mL
  • product badge
Cuvee Prosecco Cans 250mL
$21.99 pack (4)
 
RewildShiraz Bagnum 1.5L
Shiraz Bagnum 1.5L
$17.99 each
 
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
Tags
LearnPremixSparklingSpiritsBlueprintProseccoDIY How toRed WineBeerWineLagerShiraz
Related Articles