Your shelter is the most necessary item and a good place to start.
TENTS
Tents come in all shapes, sizes, colors and materials. The very basic lightweight tent rolls up very small, excellent for the hiker. At the other end of the scale are the multi room family size tents that can have 3 or 4 rooms.
Generally there are 2 types of material used. The more traditional canvas which we have always used on our camping trips and have found them to be ideal for our trips.
The dome tents with a fly over the top for rain protection are made of a polyester nylon and are very lightweight and pack into a small bag.
If you are a occasional camper it is not necessary to buy the top of the range tent, many medium priced tents are available.
When buying a tent look for sturdy tent poles, double sewn seams, secure grommets, heavy duty zippers and an overall good quality. Some of the cheap tents are just not worth having, they may leak or the seams may come apart and the zips not work properly.
To work out what size tent you need, tents usually will indicate how many they will accommodate. A 4 person tent will fit 4 persons lying side by side with no extra space, so it is best to buy a 6 person tent for 4 people. For 2 persons buy a 3 or 4 person tent.
If you are camping with kids a 2 room tent will give parents a bit of privacy. An annexe or out door room can be attached without a floor so some things can be left out but still under shelter.
When kids are older they can have a separate tent if this is suits your situation
Different tent pegs are required depending on the conditions, long plastic pegs are used in sand, metal pegs are used in soil, and stronger ones may be required for harder conditions.
When you return from your trip put your tent up to ensure it is dry before storage.
SWAG (roll up bed enclosed in a small canvas tent)
A Swag is a great option if you want the ease of rolling out your bed and getting in, no setting up, mattress, pillow and bedding are all included. Roll it out, watch the other campers setting up their tents.
ROOFTOP TENTS
Rooftop tents are attached to the roof rack of your vehicle and unfold to make a roomy bedroom on the roof and usually have an annexe that folds to the ground at full height, ideal as a change room.
Your bed stays on the roof all the time so it does not take up space in your vehicle.
When you need to use your vehicle the tent does have to be packed up, so it would pay to do your shopping before setting up camp.
CAMPER TRAILERS
Camper trailers come in many variations from the basic fold out tent attached to a box trailer to the expensive 4WD custom built models that come with everything.
They take a little longer to erect than a rooftop trailer but you do get more space usually a kitchen area is built in and with storage space in the trailer.
If you are planning to go on 4WD tracks be sure the model you buy is suitable for the rougher terrain or you may be leaving it on the side of the road.
CARAVANS
The choices of caravans is amazing, if your in the market for one have a good look around to find one that suits you needs and price range. Caravans do limit your travels to the sealed roads. If you have a 4WD vehicle and a normal caravan you can leave the caravan in storage at a holiday park for a few days and take off in the 4WD with some basic camping equipment and supplies.
There are some suitable for 4WD but be sure to check that is constructed to take the rough terrain you will encounter.
SLEEPING EQUIPMENT
Bedding would have be the 2nd most important item of equipment. The bed must be comfortable. We have had many restless nights with uncomfortable bedding. We found the best bedding to be a foam mattress at least 75mm-100mm (3" - 4") thick and not to hard with a sleeping bag.
Mattresses can be the thin exercise mats, stretchers with a mattress, self inflating mattresses, pump up air mattress (take a repair kit) and the foam mattress 50mm (2")' for kids, 75mm-100mm(3"-4") adults.
Sleeping bags are convenient and easily setup for the night.
Otherwise use sheets and blankets or a doona,
Sleeping bags come in different sizes, shapes, qualities of filling and have a temperature rating and come in a variety of styles. Some of the single models can be zipped together to make a double sleeping bag.
Generally the more you pay the better quality the sleeping bag will be. It's best to go to a camping supply shop and be guided by the shop assistant as to which one will suit your situation and the weather conditions. There are different sleeping bags for the mild weather and the extreme mountain conditions and anything in between.
FURNITURE
Tables and chairs are essential, there are many varieties of these, check that they are sturdy and can fold up compact as much as possible. The chairs do need to be comfortable after a long day traveling, fishing, walking or doing as little as possible you need some where to sit in front of the camp fire and relax
COOLERS or FRIDGES
Keeping your food and drinks is important, a large cooler and ice is the easiest and cheapest option, one for food and one for drinks is ideal.
There is a variety of fridges available; these can run on electricity, gas and 12 volt from your vehicle.
COOKING
The ideal stove is the gas stove as a campfire is not always available. These vary a lot in styles and prices. You will need a gas bottle hose and fittings and usually a spanner to tighten the connection fittings.
A cooking plate can be used on a gas stove or fry pans, sauce pans.
SHOWERS & TOILETS
Portable showers and toilets are available. The showers can be basic like a solar bag that is filled and placed in the sun all day, or battery or gas powered models.
Portable toilets like the ‘Porta Potti' use a reusable cassette and chemicals. Outdoor toilet/shower rooms are readily available and easily constructed; with poles or spring loaded easy stand up models.