Field notes
The camping checklist
Written for a two- or three-night trip out of a car, and trimmed down easily for a night on the trail. Work through it in order — shelter, sleep, cook, light, clothes, comforts — and pack each group into its own bin or bag so you can see a gap before you drive off, not after.
Where a line matches something we stock, we've put it alongside. Everything we stock is chosen by hand, because it has to survive a season of use.
Shelter and camp setup
- Tent, poles, pegs and a spare guy line
- Ground sheet or footprint
- Tarp for rain cover over the cook area
- Mallet and a small repair kit (tape, cord, needle)
- Camp chairs or a sit mat
From the shelf
Sleep system
- Sleeping bag rated below the coldest night you expect
- Insulated pad or air mattress — cold comes from the ground
- Pillow or a stuff sack packed with a fleece
- Wool socks kept dry for sleeping only
From the shelf
Cook kit and water
- Stove and fuel, plus a lighter and backup matches
- Kettle or pot, pan, and a folding utensil set
- Enamel mugs, plates and a sharp knife
- Water bottles or a jug, and a filter if there is no tap
- Cooler, food in sealed bins, bin bags and a scrubber
From the shelf
Light and power
- Headlamp per person, plus spare batteries
- Lantern for the table or tent
- Power bank sized for your phone plus a camera
- Charging cables in one pouch so they never wander
From the shelf
Clothing and layers
- Base layer, mid fleece, and a wind or rain shell
- Broken-in boots and camp shoes
- Hat, gloves and a spare pair of socks per day
- One dry set sealed in a bag, never worn until you need it
From the shelf
Camp comforts and small kit
- First aid kit, medication and blister plasters
- Sunscreen, bug spray and lip balm
- Multi-tool, cord and a roll of tape
- Towel, wash kit and hand sanitiser
- Cards, a book, and a bag for rubbish
From the shelf
Packing for someone else?
The gift guide sorts the same range by budget, from under $25 to under $100.