Camping with Kids in Australia
The Complete Family Guide (2026)

Taking kids camping for the first time feels like packing for a lunar expedition. You’ll likely overpack, something will go wrong, and at least one person will cry, most likely you.

But despite the chaos, camping in Australia is one of the best things you can do for your family. It’s a chance to ditch the screens for dirt under fingernails and stars overhead.

Kids LOVE it, you can’t beat the quality time you get AND it gives them something to talk about at school.

Why the Chaos is Worth It

Let’s be honest, camping with kids is harder work than camping without them. The gear list is SO much longer, the mess is bigger, and your pace drops to “toddler speed”.

The payoff though is enormous. Kids who camp develop resilience, confidence, and an appreciation for the outdoors. They learn practical skills like fire safety, navigation, and cooking. Best of all they get off their screens and out in to the “Wild”!

I remember our first trip at Coolendel it wasn’t perfect, but seeing my 6-year-old learn how to skip stones across the river and the wonder in his eyes as he looked up at the stars at night made the effort worth it. Since then, we’ve tackled Glenworth Valley, where he saw a goanna clinging to a tree, and Cattai, where he chased a bush turkey and laughed at the “Kangaroo race”.

Each trip gets a little smoother, but the trick is managing your expectations, it’ll be messy, loud and a bit crazy, but those are the memories that stick.

Choosing the Right Campsite

Your choice of site can make or break the trip. For your first few runs, powered sites are your friend. They let you charge devices for emergencies, run a small fridge, and use a night light for nervous sleepers.

If you’re wondering how to keep the milk from spoiling, check out our guide on the Best Camping Fridges in Australia.

Holiday parks like BIG4 or Discovery Parks are the “training wheels” of family camping. They offer hot showers, kitchens, and jumping pillows which remove most of the stress.

National park campgrounds, like our upcoming trip to Bents Basin, are a step up with better scenery but fewer facilities, expect drop toilets and no power.

Essential Gear for Kids

You don’t need to remortgage the house, but a few smart choices make life easier.

For a full rundown, grab our Ultimate Summer Camping Packing Checklist.

Shelter – Go Bigger Than You Think

Whatever tent size you’re considering, go one size up. Once you add kids and toys, you need actual floor space.

• The Recommendation: The Coleman Instant Up 6P Dark Room Tent is a game-changer because the blackout coating blocks 95% of sunlight. This keeps the tent cooler and keeps kids asleep past the 5:30 am Aussie sunrise.
• Who it’s NOT for: If you are a solo parent or have a very small car, this tent is bulky and heavy. If you only plan to camp once every few years in heavy shade, a standard (cheaper) tent will do.

Sleep: Comfort Equals Sanity

A cheap sleeping mat might save you $50, but a cold, uncomfortable kid at 2am costs you the entire trip. Insulation is key, if you kiddo gets cold, they will wake up.

• The Recommendation: The Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated Mat is the gold standard for providing a thermal barrier from the cold ground.
• Who it’s NOT for: Budget-conscious families with kiddos that could sleep on a pile of rocks and still wake up refreshed. If your kid is a “heavy sleeper” and you’re camping in the middle of summer, a simpler Thermarest ProLite Kids pad is plenty.

Beating the “First Night Jitters”

The biggest hurdle is often the “First Night Jitters”. For a kid, a tent is a thin nylon bag in a dark forest, and their usual safety cues are gone. This leads to “The 9 PM Wall,” where over-tiredness meets genuine anxiety.

The “Dry Run” Strategy: Don’t let the campsite be the first time your kids see the gear. Set the tent up in the backyard or lounge room a week before you leave. Let them play and sleep in it. If they are comfortable in the tent at home, the transition to the bush is 90% easier.

Keep it Familiar: Pack their usual pillow and a favorite stuffed toy. For toddlers, a portable cot can provide familiar boundaries. If they usually have a nightlight, use a battery-powered lantern on a low setting to keep the “monsters” at bay. Stick to your home routine, if you usually read a story, do it in the tent by headlamp, lets be honest, its more fun anyway.

Safety and Entertainment

The Australian sun doesn’t mess around. Between September and April, slip, slop, slap is the bare minimum.

Water safety is also critical, your kiddos must be within arm’s reach near any water. Preferrably, you should be in the water with them.

Wildlife deserves respect, too. Snakes are active in warmer months, so teach kids where to step and keep them in closed-toe shoes.

If you’re heading into the scrub, make sure you’ve read our guide on How to Camp Safely in Snake Country. For smaller pests, check our Critter Defence Guide for kid-safe options.

Keeping Them Entertained

You don’t need to be a cruise director. If you let kids be bored for 20 minutes, they will eventually invent their own adventures. That said, a few planned activities like nature scavenger hunts or short bushwalks (under 2km) help bridge the gap.

Kids who help with camp cooking actually eat their dinner, so give them age-appropriate tasks like threading skewers. Finally, if you absolutly have to have them, establish a clear “no-screens” rule an hour before bed and try stargazing to wind down the energy. When we go camping there is a strict no screens rule… no phone, no ipad… complete digital detox!

Complete Your Setup

To turn a good family trip into a great one, you need to think about the “ecosystem” of your camp. Don’t just stop at the tent, make sure your support gear is up to the task:

• Keep the Food Fresh: Check our Best Camping Fridges Australia review to find a unit that fits the family SUV.
• Stay Powered Up: If you’re heading off-grid, you’ll need a way to keep those devices and fridges running.
• Safety First: Don’t head into the scrub without reading our guide on How to Camp Safely in Snake Country.
• The Checklist: Never leave home without our Ultimate Summer Camping Packing Checklist.

FAQ: Camping with Kids