Festival camping must-haves

Before you fill up on petrol and stock up on snacks, stop by your local store to find all your festival camping must-haves – from essential campsite shade to handy gear for hopping between sets.

Set up a solid outdoor space

You probably won’t be spending your downtime holed up in your tent, so a shaded outdoor area is an absolute must. It protects you from the scorching midday sun and acts as a chill hangout spot when you need a bit of a breather.

Shelters like a portable gazebo are an ideal solution, as they’re easy to stash in the car and take with you as you move around the festival. Plus, they’re roomy enough to fit you, your mates and any new friends you make on your festival adventure.

Create a comfy hangout zone

Within your gazebo space, you’ll want a hangout zone kitted out with all the festival camping essentials – think comfy camping chairs, trestle tables and folding stools, along with a spot to tuck away your snacks and drinks. An extra camp chair or two wouldn’t go astray if you’re mingling with your new neighbours.

Lastly, string lights or solar lights add to your hangout area’s laid-back vibe and double as a practical light source. They’ll help you find your way when you’re looking for the opening to your tent (and your crew) after a late-night set.

Keep your food and drink chilled

Without a fridge on hand, you’ll need something to keep food and snacks fresh and your drinks cool. Enter: the trusty esky.

Get one that’s big enough to store everything you’re taking for the duration of the festival, but not so big that it takes up the whole boot. A portable esky with wheels and a built-in telescopic handle is a solid choice, because you can easily roll it from the car and between campsites.

And it probably goes without saying, but a reusable water bottle is a non-negotiable when you’re spending all day in the hot sun. Choose one that has decent capacity but isn’t too heavy to carry around, with a flip-top lid for easy sipping and a handle so you can clip it onto your belt or bag with a carabiner.

Stay fresh and mozzie bite-free

Aside from your toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen and deodorant, don’t forget to pack a proper supply of insect repellent to keep mozzies and flies away. Because swatting at bugs is probably the last thing you want to do when you’re trying to catch your favourite act.

A portable shower is another excellent addition to your packing list, as it allows you to stay fresh and clean throughout the festival – without having to trek to the communal shower spaces. A solar-powered shower is a great pick, as it heats up naturally throughout the day.

Transport your equipment and supplies with ease

Save yourself from lugging all your stuff from the car park to your campsite. A garden cart or sports wagon is a super-efficient way to transport everything in one easy trip. It has enough space to carry your camping gear, bags and esky, yet folds down into a compact, easy-to-store size.

When set time rolls around, you can also use it to carry supplies to different stages and to head out on mini-adventures during festival breaks.

Stay organised with hands-free accessories

Hands-free accessories might not be the most obvious camping gear for festivals, but you’ll be very glad you packed them. 

When you’re going from stage to stage, use a handy tool belt to secure the essentials like your phone, sunscreen and reusable water bottle. This keeps your items within arm’s reach and safe from getting lost.

Carabiners are also versatile little tools for clipping keys, bottles and bags when you’re on the move. You can use them to hang up items at your campsite, too – simply clip them to your gazebo frame and all your bits and pieces are nicely organised.

Power your devices on the go

You’ll need a few chargers and cables to keep your portable speakers and phone alive, so you’re always ready for a photo op with your favourite act. Car chargers are ideal for topping up your devices on your way to the festival, while power banks are great for charging on the go and during your downtime between sets.

Don’t forget to take the right charging cables, too! Different charging devices have different ports, so check what yours require and pack accordingly.

Are you festival ready?

Visit your local store to find everything you need before you head off to your next music festival.