9 Jul 2020
Let’s face it, we could all use some handy tips and tricks to use while we’re out on the road, and we’ve got just the thing! Camping hacks don’t just make life easier and safer; they also make it more fun for the family. We have a hack for just about everything and if we’ve missed one that you swear by, make sure you let us know!
Need a hack to help make your set-up safer? Try placing a tent peg in the ground and attaching a ratchet strap to the peg and your awning – this’ll protect you from the wind! Or perhaps you could attach pool noodles to the struts of your awning/poles to soften banging your head. Alternatively, stick some glow-in-the-dark tape to your campsite steps and you’ll have an easy solution to the inevitable midnight toilet trip-up that gets us every time. Or if you need some extra light on the campsite, simply strap your mobile phone with its torch on to an empty milk bottle to create a DIY lantern.
If you’ve had your tent, swag or sleeping bag for a while, the zips can struggle to run smoothly or even stop altogether. To stop that in its tracks, or rather, keep it zipping in its tracks, rub a solid candle on there so the wax can act like a lubricant, ensuring you won’t be bothered by mozzies in the night. Once you’ve packed up your campsite with its smooth zips and you’re travelling outback, for those who like to be far away from civilisation, we’ve even got a hack with your name on it. Fill a milk bottle with cold water and leave on the dashboard of your car or van in the sun to heat up during the day. Prick holes in the top of the cap and you’ll have a warm shower wherever you happen to be! This one’s also great if you’ve stopped off somewhere for a quick dip and need to rinse off before jumping back in the car.
Keep some clean shower caps in the car or tent to cover your dirty shoes when you’ve tackled a hike or trek through unsealed terrain – great when packing up the car, and they’re easily cleaned to be used again next time. Shoes still soaking wet but you’re keen for another adventure? Get that shoe dry quickly while in the woods with just a few rocks and (surprisingly) some more water, with these simple steps:
- Place some rocks in a cooking pot and cover with water
- Bring the water to a boil
- Carefully remove the rocks and toss them into your soaking wet shoes
- Let the steaming rocks dry!
How about a couple of hacks to use in the amenities block? Use clothes pegs to keep your toothbrush from touching dirty counters – simply clip the peg to your toothbrush below the head, and rest on the counter without any worries. Have you ever thought to slice up a bar of soap into individual single-use portions and keep in a waterproof container – no more sharing a wet bar of soap with your caravan and camping companions!
There’s a campsite hack for just about everything, and we know these are just the tip of the iceberg. Do you have a hack that you use every time you go camping? Is there an amazing one that we’ve missed? Let us know!
If you’re keen to get out on the road and start testing some of these hacks, check out locations for your next stay with Discovery Parks.