Go Camping and 4WD More Often
by Lorenzo Moschetta
My advice: make time for camping and 4WD trips. Block out a weekend, pick a place nearby and go; you don't need a big trip or fancy setup to reset even briefly.
My advice for getting out camping and four-wheel driving more often is simple: make time for it, put it in your calendar and stick to the plan.
It’s easy to wait for a clear weekend, the right gear or the perfect trip. But the calendar fills up quickly, and before you know it, another month has passed. So look ahead at the next couple of weeks, choose somewhere close to home and lock in a date.
If someone asks what you’re doing that weekend, you’re busy. Busy making time to get outside and do something you genuinely enjoy.
You don’t need to travel far or have a fancy setup. A night at a local campsite or a day exploring nearby tracks can be enough to clear your head. You might be surprised by how refreshing a simple weekend away can feel.
I’m particularly fond of the 4WD packs we offer at Hema Maps. They bring together books featuring tracks near Australia’s major cities and maps to help you navigate along the way. If you’re looking for guides to specific regions, explore our collection of atlases and guides.
Put Your Trip in the Calendar
Start with the time you have. Find a free weekend or day in the next couple of weeks, then choose a destination that suits it. A nearby park or forest can be a great place to camp, and a local track might make a worthwhile day trip.
For longer adventures, I find it helpful to plan further ahead. Put the big trips and smaller weekend getaways in your calendar for the year, and use a map of Australia to help picture where you want to go. Be realistic about dates and destinations, then note any vehicle jobs, purchases or savings you’ll need to organise.
For a trip of two weeks or more, start thinking about the details several months in advance. That gives you time to plan a route, prepare your vehicle, organise leave and budget for the trip. But for a short getaway, don’t let planning become another reason to put it off. Choose a suitable place and make the most of the time you’ve set aside.
And by the way, did you know that at Hema Maps we have our own calendar? Check out the 2027 Explorer Calendar and start pencilling in all the trips you plan on making!
Make it easier to get out the door
One thing that can stop a quick getaway before it starts is the effort of getting organised. If every trip means searching through the shed and packing from scratch, it’s easy to decide it’s too much hassle.
I recommend keeping your essential camping gear together in shelves, tubs or a dedicated part of the garage. If you have a camper trailer, you may be able to leave some gear packed and ready to go. A reusable checklist also makes packing easier and helps you remember what needs replacing.
When you get home, clean and dry your gear before putting it away. Check for anything broken, missing or worn out while you still remember what happened. Doing it then can save you a last-minute scramble before your next trip—and help prevent surprises like a mouldy tent or rusty cookware.
Pro tip: Recharge all your batteries, clean your dishes and pack your items as soon as you get home, so they are all ready to go next time you're heading out.
Use what you have
You don’t need a fully equipped vehicle or an elaborate camping setup to begin exploring. Extra gear should make your trips more comfortable or open up new options; it shouldn’t decide whether you go at all.
Choose destinations that suit your vehicle, experience and equipment. Check track conditions and local requirements before you leave, and make sure your vehicle and tyres are suitable for the route. You can build your setup over time as you learn what genuinely helps.
The same goes for camping. Start with what you need to sleep, eat and stay comfortable. After each trip, think about what you used, what you missed and what you could leave at home next time. Fridges, battery systems and other accessories can be useful, but you don’t need every extra to enjoy a suitable trip close to home.
When you’re out there, take a look at how other campers organise their setups. Ask questions, gather ideas and work out what might suit the way you travel. First-hand advice can help you make better choices as you build your kit.
When I bought my rooftop tent, I spent a lot of time researching my options and talking to other tourers. It turned out that the best choice for me wasn’t the most expensive or the largest, so doing my research saved me a fair bit of cash - money I can now spend on fuel and an extra beer at camp.
Stay Close to Home
You don’t have to wait for the perfect trip, a long stretch of leave or a new piece of gear. My advice is to choose a date in the next couple of weeks, find somewhere nearby and go.
A little planning makes it easier to leave. The more often you get away, the more familiar the routine becomes - and the more chances you’ll have to explore, refine your setup and enjoy the time outdoors.
My favourite way to explore my local area is with a good, reliable Hema Maps folded map - especially the regional ones. Our maps show local campsites, state forests and national parks, 4WD tracks, rest tops, points of interests and caravan parks. Explore our range and pick up the closes to your home, you won't regret it!
Hema Tours
If you’re ready to take your adventures further and experience some of Australia’s most iconic 4WD tracks, a tag-along tour could be just the thing. Hema Tours runs tours in partnership with Adrenalin Offroad, giving you the chance to explore alongside experienced guides and a group of fellow travellers. It’s a great way to discover new places, build your confidence and enjoy the journey with the planning taken care of. Find out more here!
