There is nothing in this world better than falling asleep under the stars, waking to the sunrise, cooking dinner by the fire, and finding beautiful places to explore. Camping offers such a rewarding escape from everyday life, an opportunity to rest and reset, if only for a night.
We also understand how daunting it can be, especially as a first-timer, or solo. Traditionally, we can tend to see camping as a remote experience, packed up far away from civilisation, with long-drop loos and knives tucked under your pillow to fight off angry roos.
However, it can be quite the opposite! And it can be an extremely safe and rewarding experience.
We’re not here to endorse the culture of pepper spray and knives hidden in pens, so we’ve compiled a list of our best practical tips and advice to get you out and about, feeling as secure as possible.
Planning, planning, planning!
We don’t have to be type-A Virgo’s about it, but having a semi-detailed idea of where you’re going, what’s around, and what you’ve got with you is important. Feeling at ease is the most important aspect to actually enjoying camping, and knowing you’ve planned adequately is the first step in achieving that.
Our best advice is to book a campsite in advance. This gives you total control over where you’re staying, and allows you to put some research into it. If it’s your first time, a caravan park will be your best friend;
- Only people paying to stay will be there
- They are enclosed, generally monitored by onsite staff and security
- Full facilities (showers, toilets, camp kitchens, electricity)
- Some caravan parks are available in the middle of towns, so you can get the camping experience without being too far away from the security of civilization.
Another app we absolutely recommend is Hipcamp. Hipcamp is essentially Air BnB for campsites. People will rent out spaces on their personal properties for campers, and there are multiple levels of verification before they are approved for campers.
Each campground is vetted by Hipcamp, providing accurate information about amenities and safety features. Reviews and pictures from previous campers offer valuable insights, while direct communication with hosts allows you to address concerns beforehand. In emergencies, Hipcamp also offers assistance through its customer service team.
Generally, Hipcamp also has some beautiful and unique properties that ensure you’re not sacrificing genuine scenery and experience for safety.
Sharing is caring
Another piece of advice is to share your plans and itinerary with trusted friends or family. Keeping in regular contact with someone who has a rough idea of where you’re going and when you’ll be back is integral to feeling secure when you’re away. Chuck a mate a message when you’ve made it to your site, and again when you’ve left. This ensures someone is tracking your whereabouts in case of an emergency.
On this note, ensure you stay in areas with reception. Most Australian service providers have coverage maps on their website so you can be sure there is service at your site - for reference we’ve added links for the most common providers:
- Telstra: https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our-coverage
- Optus: https://www.optus.com.au/living-network/coverage
- Vodafone: https://www.vodafone.com.au/network/coverage-checker
Have a plan B:
For first timers or solo campers, having a figurative exit strategy or plan B is such a key step to feeling secure. We recommend staying somewhere reasonably close to home for your first trip, so if at any point you feel unsure about the trip - too easy, pack up camp and head home. There is absolutely no shame in doing so, and a wasted 30 bucks on a site is a small price to pay for your individual feeling of safety. Talk to any experienced camper, and we can almost guarantee they’ll have similar stories!
Additionally, there is so much power in your own intuition. If you feel unsure of an area or site - there doesn’t need to be any justification for packing up and leaving. If you’re staying somewhere slightly more remote than a caravan park, keep your items and site stored or packed in grab-boxes or bags, and store most of your gear in your car overnight. This makes for a quicker and easier exit if needed.
Power in numbers
While we absolutely endorse safe solo exploring, we completely understand and respect that everyone’s tolerance for that is different. Power in numbers is so relevant here - grab a few mates together, ask your sister, convince your mum… having a group of people will make you feel more secure during your trip.
If you’ve exhausted all options, or your friends truly aren’t the outdoorsy types (sad for them), check out our Facebook group, Busy Exploring. It’s full of like-minded females in the same boat, and there will likely be a gal or two out there that’s keen! Yes, we know, comfort zones are comfy for a reason, but stepping outside them will always pay off!
Pack sensibly
It’s easy to overpack when getting ready for a trip - almost as easy as forgetting the essential items. Double check your gear before you leave, and packing some sensible items can ensure you feel safer and more secure;
- Lighting: a few fairy lights never hurt anyone, and as cute as they are, having sources of light is integral. Grab a few extra torches and batteries, too. When you gotta get up and pee during the night, you’re gonna want to see where you’re going!
- Extra layers: chuck in a jumper and some trackies regardless. You never know when you’re gonna get caught out in unexpected weather, and being adequately prepared on that front can make you feel confident you’ve got the situation handled.
- First aid kit: self explanatory, here. You can pick up a cheap kit at most dollar stores, or throw some essentials in a bag!
Consider timings
Privy to our previous point, as important as fairy lights are, daylight is going to be your best mate. We recommend taking into consideration when you’re going to rock up to your site and ensure you have plenty of daylight left in the day to set up and scope your surroundings. Take a wander around your site during the day so you’re confident you know where the important things are at night (front gate, toilets, main road).
We will never dismiss a female’s hesitancy or fear towards camping, and we completely acknowledge that camping may not be for everyone. However, we firmly believe that with proper preparation, knowledge, and support, camping can be an incredibly rewarding and empowering experience for women of all ages. Whether you're seasoned or a first-time camper, remember that you are capable, resilient, and deserving of memorable outdoor experiences. Reach out to us at hello@tildaoutdoors.com.au if you have any tips, questions or anything to add! We’d love a chat x