Australia Equipment

What To Buy. Good camping equipment is sturdy and light. Buy ahead, as it is generally more expensive in Australia than in North America.

• Swag and sleeping bag: Swags are portable, tent-like shelters made of tough, water-resistant canvas, with built-in sleeping bags that usually contain foam mattresses. They are a popular, uniquely Australian option and start at around $100 (visit www.swagsaustralia.com.au for a variety of options). Bringing a sleeping bag from home is a cheaper—albeit less protective—option. Most sleeping bags are rated by season (“summer” bags work best at 30-40°F; “four-season” or “winter” are suitable for temperatures below 0°F). Prices range from US$60-200 for a summer synthetic to US$240-300 for a good down winter bag. Sleeping pads are also an essential; foam pads (US$10-30), air mattresses (US$15-50), and self-inflating pads (US$30-120) are all possible options. Bring a stuff sack lined with a plastic bag to keep your stored sleeping bag dry.
• Tent: The best tents are free-standing (with their own frames and suspension systems), set up quickly, and only require staking in high winds. Low-profile dome tents are the best for variable conditions. Good 2-person tents start at US$100, 4-person at US$180. Make sure your tent has a fly and waterproof seams. Other useful accessories include a battery-operated lantern, a plastic groundcloth, and a nylon tarp.
• Backpack: Internal-frame packs mold better to your back, keep a lower center of gravity, and flex adequately to adapt to difficult conditions. External-frame packs are generally easier to pack because of their large number of pockets, but are also far more unwieldy and less comfortable than their internal-frame cousins. The type of pack you choose depends on personal preference and the kind of hiking you are plan to do. When deciding on a pack, the best thing to do is go to a store where you can consult a professional and try a number of packs on for size. Regardless of the type though, one thing you should make sure your pack has is a strong, padded hip belt that will transfer weight from your shoulders to your core. Any serious backpacking requires a pack of at least 4000 cu. in. (16,000cc), plus 500 cu. in. to fit sleeping bags; generally, internal-frame packs are one large pocket, with space for a sleeping bag inside it. When it comes to backpacks, it doesn’t always pay to economize: sturdy models cost anywhere from US$60-500. Before buying, fill the pack with something heavy and walk around the store to get a sense of how it distributes weight; many stores will even fit the pack to your back upon purchase. It is also recommended that you buy either a rain cover (around US$20) or store all of your belongings in plastic bags inside your pack.
• Boots: Boots provide protection against snake bites, mites, and ticks, and are absolutely essential for Outback bushwalks. Be sure to wear sturdy leather hiking boots with good ankle support. They should fit snugly over 1-2 pairs of wool socks and thin liner socks. Start breaking in boots several weeks before you leave in order to spare yourself painful blisters. Treat your boots to some waterproofing before leaving on a hike.
• Water purification and transport: On long hikes, you’ll need to carry water or purify what you find along the trail. Boiling water for 3-5min. is the most effective—although not the most convenient—method of purification. Iodine and chlorine tablets are the cheapest alternative method, but they won’t rid dirty water of its muck or its characteristic taste. Ideally you should collect water from clear, fast-moving sources, but even then, debris and dirt can end up clouding your water bottle. Portable water filters pump out crystal-clear water but often require careful maintenance and extra filters. Don’t subject them to dirty water unless you want to repeatedly clean or replace clogged filter cartridges. For transport, plastic water bottles keep water cooler than metal ones do and are virtually shatter- and leak-proof. Large plastic water bags (bladders) can hold up to several gallons and are perfect for long-haul travel. When empty, bladders occupy virtually no space and weigh next to nothing.
• Other necessities: Synthetic layers, like those made of polypropylene, and a fleece jacket will keep you warm even when wet. Rain gear is absolutely essential on any hiking trip; a waterproof—as opposed to water-resistant—jacket and pair of pants acts as protection against both wet weather and wind. A space blanket will help you to retain your body heat and doubles as a groundcloth (US$5-15). In Australia, fires are only permitted in designated fireplaces; to cook elsewhere you’ll need a camp stove (the classic Coleman starts at around US$50) and a propane-filled fuel bottle to operate it. Also, don’t forget a first-aid kit, flashlight, pocketknife, insect repellent, calamine lotion, and waterproof matches or a lighter.

Where To Buy It. The mail-order and online companies listed below offer lower prices than many retail outlets, but visit local camping or outdoors stores to get a good sense of the look and feel of necessary items.

• Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) (US and Canada ☎+1-800-426-4840; abroad 253-891-2500; www.rei.com).
• Campmor, (US and Canada ☎+1-800-525-4784; abroad 201-335-9064; www.campmor.com).
• Discount Camping, 833 Main North Rd., Pooraka, SA 5095, Australia (☎08 8262 3399; www.discountcamping.com.au).
• Mountain Designs, P.O. Box 824, Nundah, QLD 4012, Australia (☎07 3856 2344; www.mountaindesigns.com).
• Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) (☎+1-888-463-6367; www.ems.com).