Quick overnight car camping set ups for southern parts of Australia

see also:

• car camping / glamping MY WAY
• Winter car glamping my way
• shelters for camping - tents, swags, vans, hammocks
• photography and camping main index page

• this page is to give suggestions of what to take for a quick overnight car camping trip with minimal gear but reasonable amenity
• this assumes you will be bringing appropriate clothing, personal hygiene gear, torch, lamp, etc

• for hot nights, an easy fast set up spacious mesh tent is my preferred option as ventilation and protection from mosquitoes are the main priorities
• for 2 people, you should aim for a 3P or bigger tent for hot nights
• options include:
  • a swag - as long as rain s not forecast otherwise you will also need to set up a awning or tarp
  • simple 2P mesh hiking or mozzie tent although this gives limited amenity
    • see comparison of mainly mesh tents for warm nights or high humidity conditions
  • for standing height, a rapid set up 4P touring mesh tent (preferably with a Blockout fly or tarp if you wish to sleep during the day)
    • see touring tents you can stand up in
    • my favourite is the NatureHike Dune 7.6 hot tent matched with a 2P hike tent
      • this is a standing height 4 door floor-less hot tent with a detachable large 2P inner tent with large dual mesh/fabric front and rear doors, and optional clear TPU front door (don't need this on for hot nights though!) plus 2 side doors and a rear door which sets up and packs up in only 5-7 minutes by one person (excluding guy ropes), has very easy to use 13mm aluminium poles and weighs only 7.5kg and is more compact than “Fast Frame” tents
      • although the fastest set up is with the included inner tent, I prefer to not use this but to use a 2P extra-tall Goout Springhill Penglai Kangaro TC bird-wing style tents for better privacy/ventilation options and it gives more separation from the wood stove
        • this will fit a king stretcher and allow plenty of head space to sit on it, or use a 90cm wide self-inflating mattress instead if you want space for a standard battery box at the end.
      • my favourite for a fast set up overnighter - maybe take a tarp and a few tall tent poles if heavy rain, using a wood stove, or to provide additional shade protection in the hot sun
      • if its a really hot night, replace the inner tent with your own 2P mesh tent or mozzie tent for even more ventilation
    • my budget favourite with a floor is the Oztrail Fast Frame 4P Blockout - see my review of this tent
      • this can be set up very quickly without the Blockout fly to give maximum ventilation and view of the sky
      • if overnight rain is possible you have the option of quickly clamping a tarp over the roof, or, the more time consuming application of the Blockout fly
      • for extra mosquito protection you could hang a mosquito net, or you could take a 2P mozzie mesh tent to put inside it
      • NB. the 6P version gives more space but is harder to put up due to dual hub complexity and it is not ant proof as it has holes in each corner of the floor
    • if fairweather is forecast, then two great options are:
      • Tanxianzhe FunUnique Ring Pavilion 2-3P Hexagonal Air Tent - budget air tent - really fast and easy tent with floor and lots of mesh or full privacy
      • fast set up clam-type shelters - clam type screen tent gazebos - fast set up and can keep the mozzies and flies away, but no floor and has very long packed size of around 4-6' depending on version
• don't forget the lithium battery powered fan/light

• good news in hot weather you don't need much
• a comfortable self-inflating mattress plus a summer quilt if temperatures drop below 21degC and pillow

• a car fridge is a fantastic addition to keep your drinks and food cool but you will need a 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 battery to run it (may need 30Ah per day in hot weather)
• an additional esky without ice can be used to hold your cooking gear as well as cups, plates, cutlery, fruit, etc
• assuming it is not a Total Fire Ban day, a hiking gas stove is probably all you need for 1-2 people
  • if you really want to cook a banquet then a larger gas stove may be your preferred option
• take plenty of water if there is no potable water at the camp site as you will get dehydrated quickly
• if taking a fridge or iced esky then you have a much wider range of foods you can take and the cold drinks will help you cool down if temperatures are over 35degC

• when temperatures are mainly below 12degC throughout the day, you have the wonderful benefits of not having to worry about insects, mosquitoes, flies, snakes, and most other animals and you can generally use camp fires or wood stoves
• the main issues are keeping warm and dry
• in Australia, it is very unlikely you will be camping in snow conditions unless you go out of your way to do this in which case you will take additional preparations
• obviously you will need to take clothing for the conditions including lightweight waterproof over-trousers and jacket are advisable in case you need to be out in the rain
• if planning on a camp fire, you may need to bring your own wood (don't forget axe to make kindling, and fire starters)

• for a quick overnighter in winter, the best shelter for most will be a swag or 2P tent designed for cold conditions - see comparison of full fabric 2P and 3P tents for colder nights
  • in either case, a tarp or awning is advisable to provide additional rain protection
• for those lucky enough to have a Winnerwell Nomad wood camping stoves or similar, then, you can really add to your amenity by having this inside your “hot tent” such as:
  • NatureHike Dune 7.6 hot tent
    • this is a standing height hot tent with a detachable large inner tent and optional clear TPU front door plus 2 side doors and a rear door which sets up and packs up in only 5-7 minutes by one person (excluding guy ropes), has very easy to use 13mm aluminium poles and weighs only 7.5kg and is more compact than “Fast Frame” tents
    • my favourite for a fast set up overnighter - maybe take a tarp if heavy rain or using a wood stove
  • Pomoly Leo 2 2P hot tent
    • this could be supplemented by a tarp for additional protection and shelter space
  • OneTigris Rock Fortress teepee style Hot Tent with a 2P fabric tent without a fly
    • this tipi tent is another option but does have the annoying centre pole, less amenity, less visibility and less space than the above tent but is potentially better in very strong winds and looks great
  • if taking a floor-less tent then taking a floor matting or rubber floor mats will be a nice addition so you don't have to walk on wet ground inside the main tent and these rubber mats or a tarp could also be used under the 2P tent to provide extra floor protection
    • tip you can just use a stretcher bed instead of a 2P inner tent as insects are not an issue - the 2P inner tent though does provide an extra layer of wind chill protection

• consider a stretcher bed to get you off the ground - especially if heavy rain is forecast and there is a risk your sleeping gear may get wet if the floor is compromised
• a self-inflating mattress which has good R value thermal insulation is important
• a thermal sleeping bag inner is handy and will help keep your sleeping bag or quilt cleaner
• a sleeping bag or quilt of adequate insulation for your expected conditions
  • a summer quilt will be adequate with temperatures down to 13degC
  • a basic winter sleeping bag opened as a quilt will be adequate with temperatures down to 8degC and for lower temperatures you can add an extra layer such as a woollen blanket or the summer quilt
  • for freezing conditions, you will need a sub-zero sleeping bag
• thick socks, head and neck warmers of different thicknesses to manage different levels of cold, and you may want thin gloves
• if you really want to spoil yourself, you can also use a 12V electric blanket but you would also need to bring a 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 battery to run it

• as usual, you will need mug, plate or bowl, cutlery as a minimum
• for an overnighter in winter you don't really need a fridge or esky unless you really must cook up a meat breakfast or dinner (as a potential option without a fridge you could take frozen meat and let it thaw, however, washed eggs should not be left un-refrigerated for more than 2 hours as there is a risk of Salmonella, likewise soft cheeses should not be left un-refrigerated for more than 2-4 hours, however, hard cheeses will last much longer)
• if you really need milk, take long life milk or powdered milk
• for breakfast:
  • you can supplement it with cakes such as an apple slice or vanilla slice although nuts are far more healthy - these don't need refrigerating
  • instant coffee sachets work well in this situations - just need to boil up some water
• for dinners, packaged soups work well to warm you up at night
• a hiking gas stove is probably all you need for 1-2 people
• if you take a Winnerwell Nomad wood camping stoves with oven you can use this to cook food such as bake vegetables
• if you take a cast iron dutch oven then you can use this with camp fire to roast veges, etc