The Rules of Camping

Camping rules are helpful for newcomers to avoid common pitfalls and help fit in with other campers. As a great opportunity to recharge and get away from all the daily stresses of work, errands and responsibilities, whether deep in the woods or setting up for a glamping session, you can follow a few camping rules to get it right the first time around.

Camping rules aim to help you do the following:

• Leave as little impact on your surroundings as possible
• Don’t disturb other campers around you
• Stay safe 

If you’re sharing a campsite with other campers, it’s important to abide by quiet time at your campground. You might feel a little iffy going quiet after 10pm when it’s your much-awaited vacation time, but other campers may very well be using camping out to seek out a little quiet time, and it’s important to be mindful of this. This means:

• No loud music/podcasts
• No generators during quiet hours
• No loud parties after 10pm

It’s wise to keep the noise at a minimum during early hours in the morning and late at night; staying away from alcohol during those hours can help. This also involves keeping the volume low when conversing and using any equipment. Simple actions like closing a car door or boot can be loud and sudden, so keep this in mind when moving around in quiet hours.

Are you looking for a festive kind of camping instead? Swap out regular camping for nearby family or party campsites where getting loud is the selling point – so you can be among fellow party campers!

It’s essential to keep your surroundings and facilities clean and tidy. This should include the following:

• Washing up area
• Laundry area
• Bathroom/toilets
• Showers

Make sure not to leave garbage unattended and minimise the level of rodents and critters coming your way; campsite wildlife is known to be attracted by food leftovers.

Respecting wildlife means keeping facilities clean, disposing of your waste correctly, and minimising your camping footprint. This follows the ‘Leave No Trace’ principle, which you’ll find below.

The not-to-dos in camping are also essential to consider; usually, this takes you back to any form of pollution; air, water, land and even noise pollution. Below you'll find a few things you should avoid doing:

• Don’t leave food sitting outside
• Don’t start a fire with gas
• Don’t set up camp in the dark
• Don’t feed the wildlife
• Don’t blast your music
• Don’t site hog
• Don’t pack too many perishable items

While you can add a wide range of faux pas to the list, these are the most essential to keep you and other campers safe and happy while keeping the environment intact.

When trying to figure out how to camp safely, a few things fall under the category of safety, whether it’s safety from wildlife, safety from theft or safety from getting caught out in bad conditions. Here are a few things you can do before, during and after your camping trip to avoid the biggest pitfalls.

Before you hammer in your first tent peg, scout your location. You want to avoid camping directly under large gum trees and avoid creek beds and over ditches, if there’s a chance of rain. Camping is all about location, and while you might be drawn to areas that look great, make sure they’re also camping-friendly.

If you’re camping with children, avoid natural dangers like rivers, creeks, and steep drop-offs so your kids can roam freely with some peace of mind.

Staying fed and hydrated is crucial when camping. While the food might be simpler than what you’re accustomed to at home, ensure you have ample supplies. Most parks aren't connected to mains water, and tank water often isn't potable, so bring sufficient drinking water for everyone.

For perishable items, pack them with enough ice and use air-tight containers to maintain hygiene and freshness.

Make sure to research your campsite before you make the trip. Make a note of all the local hospital locations and hash out an emergency evacuation plan if you’re travelling with a bigger group.

Many campsites don’t offer comprehensive mobile phone coverage, so it’s a good idea to check your network’s coverage map and note where you'll be able to make an emergency phone call if needed and familiarise everyone in your party.

Get your necessary insect repellents against mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects and opt for long-sleeve wear for more protection if you seem susceptible.

It’s also worth keeping your fly screens closed and ensuring containers with food inside are sealed tight so you don’t attract any thirsty insects.