The highs and lows of the camping experience

Camping is becoming increasingly popular with Australians, who see enjoying the great outdoors as an escape from the pressures of modern life.

My personal choice would be a massage and 24-hour room service, but new research commissioned by ArcMate reveals two in five (44%) Australians go camping to feel calmer and more balanced, while over a third (36%) use it to switch off from screens, notifications, and the constant demands of work and family life.

Over half of those surveyed (55%) camp to spend meaningful time with loved ones, and two thirds (65%) head outdoors simply to reconnect with nature.

In today’s fast-paced world, where long work hours, school runs, endless digital alerts, and jam-packed schedules leave little room for genuine connection - camping trips are seen as more than recreation; they’re regarded by some as a lifeline.

I tend to think more about the potential for cold, wet and windy weather, forgotten gear, or complicated tent setups and cooking without a modern oven.

Married couple Cassandra and Michael Kirkland, co-founders of ArcMate, believe camping is the ultimate mental reset for Aussie families.

“After weeks of school runs, screens, and to-do lists, our family feels lighter when we get out under the sky and around a campfire,” says Cassandra. “When we stop chasing signals and emails, conversations happen, and we all show up in a different, more present way.”

Yet despite the mental health and family benefits, camping isn’t as always smooth sailing. The new data also unveils that bad weather has put off over two thirds (38%) of Aussies from camping again, with over a quarter (28%) recalling being too cold to leave the tent, and over one in 10 (13%) reporting gear failure.

These friction points can make the difference between a restorative trip and a frustrating one.

“After countless family camping trips across Australia, there was just one thing that made the experience more stressful than it needed to be - the packing and unpacking of all our camping gear!" says Cassandra. 

"In our early camping days, a single snagged zip or a stove that wouldn’t light could steal our joy. Over time, we realised that the gear we use must be simplified so nothing steals the focus from family time.

“One night we got to camp late after sitting in traffic leaving the city for the peace of the countryside. It wasn’t until we’d finished setting up that we realised we’d left the gas bottle at home! We had our fire pit, but no cooking plate, so we had to improvise. Let’s just say our good cooking pans didn’t survive!

“When you’ve got so much gear to remember, it’s easy to forget something. We’ve designed our ArcMate gear with this in mind, taking the pressure off those moments. Having a 2-in-1 firepit and BBQ that’s safe, portable, and easy to use, means families can connect around the fire without the stress."

So keeping things simple can improve a camping experience. 

“Our goal is for the gear to fade into the background, so families aren’t wrestling with setups or spare parts. You should be able to arrive, spark a fire, cook a meal, and feel ready for stillness," says Michael.

“The ArcPit is not only easy to use but also convenient and practical to store. As the lightest portable fire pit on the market and one of the few that requires no assembly, the fire pit was born to make camping simpler and more enjoyable.” 

See https://arcmate.com.au/

How about a wilderness walk on the wombat side?

Want to walk where few visitors have walked before?

Tasmanian Expeditions’ newest itinerary offers an immersive wilderness experience exploring the untouched beauty of Flinders Island and its world-class walks.

The six-day, five-night Flinders Island Walking Adventure - In Comfort is a guided hiking holiday through one of Tasmania's best-kept secrets.

And from December 1 2023, single supplements for solo travellers on this journey will be waived.

Rugged Flinders Island has fascinating Aboriginal and European history, along with granite peaks, crystal-clear water and abundant wildlife.

Tasmanian Expeditions has an eco-friendly approach including the use of solar power, rainwater, and thoughtful campsite placement.

At the end of each day of walking, visitors relax and sleep in a beachfront Eco-Comfort Camp.

"Our eco-camp allows for a truly immersive experience," says Michael Buggy, general manager of Tasmanian Expeditions.

"Guests walk the amazing trails by day and then retreat to our comfortable beachfront camp in the evening. Here, guests experience true immersion in nature, sleeping under the stars in clear-ceiling safari-style tents, ensuring comfort while staying connected with the island's remarkable nature."

Highlights include:

# Scenic flights from Bridport in Tasmania, showcasing the island's terrain and coastline

#· The dramatic peaks of Mt Killiecrankie and Mt Strzelecki, the second of which is the highest point on the island at 756 metres.

# Spotting a wombat - Flinders Island is one of few remaining habitats of the common wombat

Image: Lachlan Gardiner – “Hiking the stunning Flinders Island coastline”

See www.tasmanianexpeditions.com.au

Exploring Tasmania's wilder side

From remote hiking trails to absurdly picturesque waterfalls, Australia's island state of Tasmania has plenty to please anyone who wants to get off the beaten track.

If you are more a tent person than a luxury resort person; a picnic personality rather than a fine dining fan, the a new book from Woodslane Press might be right up your alley.

Written by Gillian Souter, Discovering Natural Tasmania is a really nifty guide for anyone looking to take some roads, tracks or mountain trails less travelled on the Apple Isle.

While Tasmania may be well known for its gourmet restaurants and fine cool-climate wines, many visitors come simply to get away from it all.

Tasmania really is an outdoor lover's paradise - over half of island consists of national parks, reserves and state forests.

These abound with walks and treks, sights of interest, lookouts, activities, wildlife encounters, adventures, beaches and remote places to stay.

I live in Tasmania and made a whole lot of discoveries about places that I had either not heard or, or added to my "to do" list.

The book is well set out, illustrated with over 200 full-colour photographs and dozens of detailed maps.

Discovering Natural Tasmania by Gillian Souter is published byWoodslane Press and is available at bookstores and online. RRP: $34.99

My new cutting-edge kitchen toy

I'm not a fisherman, but my new best friend is a fish-filleting knife.

What is he on about, I hear you say?

A good knife is essential for every kitchen and every car.

I've just come into possession of a feisty Victorinox Swibo filleting knife with its own protective sheath - the sheath is a good thing as it is pretty sharp.

I've already tested it on some fruit and vegetables, and it is ready to turn the next fresh tuna from one of my fishing friends into instant sushi.

The Swibo is made by the same people behind the Swiss Army knife that hangs on my keyring, but is capable of heavier-duty tasks.

Swiss-made with a straight edge, its primary focus is to re-create a restaurant experience at home. You have 20cm of shiny cutting ability for $82.95.

The long, lean blade is designed for filleting rainbow trout, swordfish or salmon in seconds. I reckon it would also work well with a slab of meat.

It would make a pretty handy Valentine's Day gift for the amateur chef in your life.

It has a polyamide handle and is dishwasher safe, and I'm thinking of getting a second one for my car.

The law where I live, in Tasmania, permits me to carry a knife in the pursuit of a lawful occupation, duty or activity using that dangerous article; the participation in a lawful sport, recreation or entertainment using that dangerous article; the lawful collection, display or exhibition of that dangerous article and the use of that dangerous article for the lawful purpose for which it was intended.

Or if the knife is part of your vehicle's tool kit and kept in the boot..

So you could use it while fishing or hunting, while camping or to kill a wounded animal, should you find one by the roadside. Or if you come across goats with their testicles restrained by cable ties that need to be freed - a Tasmanian thing.

But not for aggression or self-defence. Got that.

My advice is to check out the laws in your jurisdiction, and if you want to keep the knife in your vehicle, have a good reason, and keep it tucked away in its sheath in the trunk.

Check out an impressive range of kitchen and other knives at https://victorinox.com.au.

# Umm PR sent me the knife to try.