Car Camping and Campsite Checklist

Track & Canopy · Updated 2026-10-16 · Tick items as you pack — print or save as PDF from your browser.

Boot and load kit

The containers decide the order you unpack, which decides the mood of the first hour.

  1. Boot organiser crates Essential
  2. Snap-shut storage boxes
  3. Roll-out mat for sitting on wet ground
  4. Mallet and ten decent pegs Essential
  5. Hammock or camp chair for the packer
  6. Hook-and-loop straps for loose kit

Sleep at the car pitch

Car sites suit heavier sleep kits, but comfort still comes from insulation, not thickness.

  1. Tent sized one person up Essential
  2. Sleeping bags matched to the season Essential
  3. Self-inflating mats or air bed
  4. Real pillows, not stuff-sack trials
  5. Eye mask and earplugs for the neighbour's lantern
  6. Warm layer by the bed for 4 am air

Tailgate kitchen

Flat surface, two flows, nothing on the ground. The kitchen is the camp's traffic hub.

  1. Camp table with a heat-safe top Essential
  2. Two-burner stove with gas canisters Essential
  3. Esky or 12V fridge for the drink and dairy shelf Essential
  4. Water container with a tap Essential
  5. Wash basin, scrub and biodegradable soap
  6. Sealed bin or latched food buckets
  7. Cooking utensil roll and one sharp knife

Shade and sitting

The difference between a camp you hang around and one you retreat to the tent from.

  1. Gazebo or tarp with proper anchor kit
  2. Two chairs per person rule: one camp chair, one seat
  3. Shade sail or side walls for low afternoon sun
  4. Outdoor rug for the sandal zone
  5. Hanging hooks for lanterns and towels

Bugs and sun

Campgrounds concentrate flies, mosquitoes and open sun on a small square of ground.

  1. Screen house for the dining zone
  2. Repellent and one backup spray for the table Essential
  3. Shade structure sized to the crew
  4. Sunscreen within reach, not in the locked car Essential
  5. Coils or zappers for dusk sit-downs

Safety and power

Boring kit that campground life quietly depends on.

  1. First-aid kit at the kitchen, not the boot Essential
  2. Fire extinguisher and fire blanket
  3. Extension lead rated for outdoor use
  4. Multi-port USB charger at the table
  5. Lantern plus one head torch per person Essential
  6. Lockable box or tether for valuables in the car