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Enjoying Australia’s outdoors despite bad weather
Words Nicole Tyquin, Robert Crack and Julija Zivanovic Pics Robert Crack and Supplied
Four-wheel driving and camping in poor weather conditions is not without its challenges. However, there are ways to make the most of it. Keep reading to get our top tips.
Omeo Caravan Park in the Victorian High Country (Credit: Julija Zivanovic)
There’s nothing like waking up on the first day of your holidays, preparing the rig and setting off on an epic outdoor adventure filled with sunny days. But sometimes, you wake to find the weather has given you lemons … and it seems your road trip can only end one way …
Should you find yourself in this situation, it’s easy to think ‘this will surely ruin my outdoor adventure’ … but it doesn’t have to. It is possible to enjoy the great outdoors even in severe weather — you just have to be prepared and have the right mindset.
Join us as we share our top tips for enjoying the outdoors when Mother Nature doesn’t exactly make it easy for you.
Preparation is everything
After the storm in William Creek, South Australia (Credit: Robert Crack)
The first rule of thumb when venturing into the wild is to expect the unexpected. Whether you’re expecting rain, hail or shine, you need to be prepared for any and every situation. This includes packing for all these eventualities — no matter if you’re heading all the way to the Kimberley or just the Barossa Valley or Mornington Peninsula.
It’s important to remember that floods can (and do) occur in the Australian outback. And heavy — and even torrential — rain may be welcome if you’re camping around Cloncurry in January, but very unwelcome if you’re camping in Cooma in July.
Here are our top packing tips for surviving in any weather (and still having a great time):
1. Layer up:
- Base Layer: Moisture-wicking base layers keep sweat away from your skin, helping you stay dry and warm. We recommend merino wool or synthetic materials.
- Mid Layer: A fleece or down jacket provides insulation. Choose lightweight, compressible options that are easy to stow away when not needed.
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Outer Layer: A waterproof, windproof shell is your best friend when the weather turns bad. Make sure your jacket is breathable to prevent condensation from building up inside.
2. Waterproof everything:
- A rain cover for your backpack, a waterproof groundsheet for camping and water-resistant bags or dry sacks for storing your electronics, maps and other essentials can save you from a soggy disaster.
3. Extra warmth and comfort:
- When travelling in Australia’s more southerly latitudes, at altitude or even in the desert, always pack extra socks, beanies and gloves. Retaining your body temperature is crucial.
- A hot water bottle or heat packs can also help if the temperature drops unexpectedly.
- A high-quality sleeping bag is great; one with a sleeping bag liner is even better. Always make sure you choose a temperature rating that exceeds the lowest night temperature that you’re expecting.
4. Wet weather camping gear:
- A swag or quality tent (ideally a four-season tent) with a high waterproof rating is essential. Ensure that it’s pegged down securely with taut guy ropes to keep it stable in windy conditions.
- A tarp or awning can provide an additional layer of protection and create a sheltered area outside your tent or caravan in which to cook, relax or store gear.
Gear essentials
Camping after the rain on the Nullarbor Plain
After you have sorted your clothing and shelter, the next item(s) on the agenda is the right equipment. Here are a few essentials that we recommend for making a rainy-day adventure more bearable:
- Headlamp or lantern: Overcast skies or rain can make for darker-than-expected environments. Bring extra batteries and lighting for inside the tent or around your campsite.
- Fire starters: Wet wood can be difficult to light, so bring along waterproof matches, fire starters or a portable gas or induction stove for cooking.
- Multipurpose gear: Items such as a compact camp chair, inflatable pillow and a microfibre towel are lightweight and can help keep you comfortable despite wet conditions.
- Umbrella: This one might seem obvious, but we can’t stress how handy a lightweight umbrella is, especially when making quick dashes to use an outdoor loo.
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A good book or games: If you’re stuck in the tent or caravan for extended periods, having some entertainment on hand is a great way to help you wait out the storm in good spirits. We recommend the newly created Adventure Cards from the Adventure Card Co. — The Rainy Day Deck is perfect for a day stuck in your tent, swag, caravan, camper trailer or anywhere else.
Make the most of it
Mobbindry Creek sunset after a storm, New South Wales (Credit: Robert Crack)
When you look outside to see nothing but grey skies and sadness, it’s easy to want to stay indoors and protected. However, some of the best adventure stories come from braving the elements. Of course, if it’s genuinely dangerous, we’re not encouraging you to take unnecessary risks. But if it’s not too treacherous out there, here are tips for embracing the poor conditions and making the most of it:
1. Embrace it:
- There’s something magical about experiencing nature in all its forms. Whether it’s the sound of the soft patter of rain on canvas, being in a tropical rainforest during a downpour or simply watching the mist rolling over a valley, these moments can be serene and memorable if you choose to appreciate them. Snap photos of the unique light and atmosphere or simply listen to the sounds around you. There’s nothing quite like the panorama of foreboding storm clouds contrasted against the outback landscape.
2. Explore anyway:
- Rainy weather doesn’t mean your adventure is over. As long as it’s safe, put on your rain gear and head out. You might find that popular tracks and spots are quieter, offering you a more intimate experience. Waterfalls become even more impressive after rainfall and the Australian bush takes on an earthy, fresh, vibrant smell known as ‘petrichor’.
3. Create a cosy setup:
- Use tarps or your four-wheel drive’s awning to create a dry, cosy area outside. Light some lanterns, gather around a fire pit (if safe to have one under your awning, protected from wind) and cook up something warm and comforting. Sometimes, the best moments come from sitting together sharing stories and laughter, while staying warm and dry.
4. Adapt and conquer:
- If heavy rain or storms make outdoor activities impossible, adapt your plans. A local café, wineries, museums or scenic drives can provide a welcome break from the rain. Being forced indoors during extreme weather events is a great opportunity to read up more on the region you’re visiting.
4. Check out an epic sunset:
- A sunset without landforms or clouds can be far from exciting. Sunset colours are often accentuated by rain as well as by clean air. After a thunderstorm, sunrises and sunsets are often more vibrant and intense. Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall clear the air of haze and pollutants, and it’s this clean air that contributes to helping create beautiful sunsets by helping air molecules diffuse more easily into a riot of colours. Since the size of these molecules is closer to the violet light wavelength than that of red light, we get to enjoy pinkish or purplish sunsets in the aftermath of such thunderstorms. One of the silver linings of bad weather in remote areas is getting to witness these incredible sunsets. Make sure you have the camera ready.
A stunning Darwin sunset after a storm (Credit: Robert Crack)
If things go pear-shaped …
While it can be rewarding and fun to embrace poor weather, sometimes despite our best efforts we’re still faced with more serious disruptions. If the conditions worsen or if you’re camping in areas prone to flooding, it's important to be aware of how to handle the situation. Here are some suggestions:
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Monitor the forecast: Keep an eye on weather updates, especially if you're in remote areas. Many campsites and national parks provide alerts and warnings that should not be ignored. A portable analogue AM/FM radio is also handy (bring spare batteries). The ABC Radio broadcasts updates during extreme weather emergencies. To find the local ABC AM radio frequencies of the places you’ll be travelling and camping, head here.
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Stay safe in storms: If lightning storms approach, avoid open spaces, high ground and large trees (and especially eucalypts such as river red gum, spotted gum or lemon-scented gum. These species are known as ‘widow makers’ as they are notorious for ‘sudden branch drop’). Take shelter in your vehicle or caravan if possible. If you will be tent camping, it’s wise to set up your tent in lower-lying areas (away from cliffs or ridges) and avoid valleys that could become waterlogged.
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Have an exit plan: Before you get too comfortable, make yourself familiar with the nearest exit points or emergency services. In remote areas, a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator can be a lifesaver in case of extreme conditions or injury. Whilst it might appear odd or a possible spam text, if you receive an SMS message from +61 444 444 444 about a cyclone or flood emergency — it is genuine, and you should act immediately. This number is the Emergency Alert national telephone warning system, and the message will be from fire, police and other emergency services.
Turning lemons into lemonade
It’s never easy accepting that your camping adventure will be mired by lousy weather. But it doesn’t need to wreck your trip! With the right preparation and attitude, even the worst weather can be an opportunity to create forever memories. As mentioned, crappy weather and having to adapt your plans can often make the best stories, and it’s something you’ll always remember.
The key is to stay flexible, appreciate the beauty in nature’s unpredictability and adapt to the situation with a sense of adventure. So, next time the rain clouds roll in, embrace it!
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