Robert Posted on 26 November 2025

How to keep cool when camping in hot weather

Words Robert Crack Pics Supplied

How to stay cool, stay safe and keep the wheels turning when the mercury is climbing.

Sunset in remote Australian outback (Getty Images)

If you’ve been watching the long-range forecasts creep toward February, you’ve probably already guessed what they’re hinting at for much of Australia.

Hot. Dry. And a little bit unpredictable — the sort of cocktail offroad travellers know all too well.

We’re still early in the game, but the early indicators are leaning heavily toward warmer-than-usual conditions across most of the country. The one real outlier? Coastal New South Wales, which might dodge some of the extra heat.

But it’s the nights that are really raising eyebrows. There’s more than an 80 per cent chance we’re in for unusually warm minimums — the kind of nights where you unzip the sleeping bag and pray for a breeze.

Just last week the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) released its long-range forecast overview for December to February, which forecast that both daytime and nighttime temperatures are likely to be above average across most of Australia. This means that according to the BOM’s weather modelling, Aussies are in for a hotter-than-usual summer.

“Because we are seeing increased chances of it being unusually warm for both overnight and daytime temperatures, there’s an increased chance of extreme heat,” BOM senior climatologist Felicity Gamble said in October.

A climatic duel

Summer is shaping up to be a clash between climate heavyweights.

On one side, record-warm oceans are wrapped around the continent — plus two major rain-making climate drivers sit to our east and west. Normally, that’s a recipe for a wetter spring and summer.

On the other side?

Stratospheric warming brewing over Antarctica — a phenomenon that usually pushes southern Australia toward hotter, drier conditions.

No wonder the models are wobbling, and the land has been responding.

With limited rain a couple of months ago, soil across Victoria, NSW and central–southern Queensland dried quickly. Fires have already sparked across several districts — a reminder that fire season no longer politely waits for summer.

Heatwaves on the horizon

Australia’s coastal waters have been sitting near record high temperatures for more than a year, and they’re not expected to cool down anytime soon. As we shift into the hottest stretch of the calendar, daytime temperatures look set to run warmer than average while overnight temps are tracking even higher above their averages. Northern Australia in particular, has a very strong chance of unusually hot nights.

(Credit: Robert Crack)

The atmosphere looks set to be juggling more balls than usual, so heatwave risk is likely to be elevated as summer takes hold. Be sure to read the BOM’s Heatwaves — What you need to know before setting off on your camping adventures.

It’s a classic Aussie setup — a summer in the great outdoors that’ll keep offroad travellers on their toes.

So, pack smart, prep your rig, check your cooling systems twice … and keep an eye on that horizon.

Long-story-short? If the forecasts are right, we’re staring down the barrel of a long, hot summer. And while most Aussie campers pride themselves on being sun-hardened and heat-ready, Australian geography, topography and highly changeable weather conditions have a funny way of turning “she’ll be right, mate!” into “strewth … this is flamin’ hot!”.

Here’s how we recommend you stay cool, stay safe and keep your rig — and your sanity — intact when the temperature soars.

1. Travel smart — beat the heat before the heat beats you

You don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road or a 4WD track on a 45-degree day.

Avoid the peak heat periods by travelling in the shoulder hours — early morning or late afternoon. This isn’t just for a more pleasant experience; it’s a smart move. The heat of the day tests everything: your vehicle, your passengers, your fuel consumption, your air-con … and your patience.

Roll early or roll late. Avoid the midday furnace.
Hydrate like you mean it. Small sips, often.
Keep pets cool — they overheat long before you do.

2. Natural shade — nature beats nylon every time

Once you roll into camp, shade is gold. And natural shade is platinum. Trees don’t just block the sun — they use it. Photosynthesis means less heat radiating downward, and the difference can be as much as seven degrees. An awning is handy, but even the best canvas still absorbs heat.

Pick the right campsite, with trees if you can. But don’t park or camp under dead limbs, or river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), spotted gums (Corymbia maculata) or lemon-scented gums (Corymbia citriodora) — widow-makers are a thing.
Don’t box yourself in. Spacing prevents the ‘hot-box’ effect between vehicles.
Face camp east with the tree line behind you to dodge the brutal afternoon sun.

3. Extra shade — awnings, privacy screens and quick-fit panels

No trees? No dramas. Light-coloured awnings reflect more heat than dark ones. If you’re towing then two awnings — one on the caravan or camper trailer, one on the tow-tug — keep interior temps bearable. Natural-fibre shade cloths run cooler than synthetic ones.

(Credit: Nathan Jacobs)

A privacy screen is the unsung hero of hot-weather camping. When the sun is low — dawn or dusk — you’ll want that extra bit of angled shade to stop the sun’s rays sneaking under your awning.

A reflective sunshade for the inside of your windscreen when parked up is invaluable.

4. Camp near a natural water source (safely)

There’s a reason summer holidays gravitate toward oceans, lakes and riverbanks. A body of water creates a natural air-conditioner, cooling the breeze and making hot nights tolerable. If it’s safe to swim — even better. Water activities are a surefire way to cool off. If it’s not safe to swim, a small blow-up pool filled from the water source does wonders.

Be sure not to go near the water in croc country of course. Observe warning signs, camp at least 50m back from the water’s edge and don’t leave any food scraps around your camp. And if you are boating or fishing, do not clean fish at boat ramps or any other places where people gather, keep your limbs inside the boat and don’t bury bait, fish heads or frames where other people might camp, and don’t keep returning to the same spot — crocs are hunters.

5. Ventilation — the secret weapon against heat

Your body’s best cooling system is sweat — but it only works with airflow. Cross-ventilation is key, so only one window open won’t do it. And when the air is dead still, a 12V fan is worth its weight in liquid gold.

Create an entry and exit point for airflow.
Open the cabin early — don’t trap heat.
Use the air-conditioner early if you have power. Maintaining coolness is easier than cooling from scratch.
If travelling in hotter shoulder seasons, book powered sites in caravan parks where you can.

6. Water — your most critical supply

Out bush, water is life — and you’ll need more of it than you think. For bush camping, plan for 5–10L per person, per day, depending on your activities and whether you can bathe using natural sources.

Store electrolyte ice blocks in the fridge.
Freeze water bottles with internal ‘ice cores’ for long-lasting cool drinks.
Carry extra jerries — but don’t tip your rig over its weight limits.
Small sips, often. Dehydration can sneak up fast: headaches, lethargy, nausea comprise the summer camping trip trifecta you don’t want.

7. Fridges, freezers and keeping food safe

Your camp fridge is the sharpest arrow in your quiver. Modern caravan and camper fridges are designed to handle Aussie heat but keep your car or camper fridge out of direct sunlight and don’t push them harder than necessary. If you don’t have a camp fridge or icebox but are reasonably close to places where you can purchase your ice resupply, an insulated ice bucket is just the ticket for cooling beverages.

Freeze fruit slices (frozen oranges are crowd-pleasers).
Keep a stash of electrolyte ice blocks.
Make your own icy treats for the kids — it buys you 10 blessed minutes of peace.

8. Clothing — cover up to cool down

Avoid wearing dark colours as they absorb and retain heat. And it sounds counterintuitive, but long sleeves beat singlets every time in extreme heat. Choose light, loose, breathable fabrics: cotton, bamboo, modern synthetics that wick properly. And wash synthetics as soon as you peel them off — they can develop a personality of their own if left too long.

Your heat-beating wardrobe should include:

Light colours
Long sleeves
Wide-brim hat
Quick-dry fabrics

9. Cook outdoors + live outdoors = stay cool

Cooking inside your camper trailer, caravan or campervan heats it like a convection oven. Do yourself a favour and cook outdoors whenever you can — especially breakfast and dinner.

And if you’re overheating? Soak your hat with fresh water. Spray yourself lightly with a spray bottle of cold water. Shade up.

It’s simple and effective.

10. Heat exhaustion — know the signs

Heat-related illness isn’t something to shrug off.

I can attest to this, first-hand.

In 2008 I completed the 140km Sandakan Death March Trek in Malaysian Borneo, followed by summiting SE Asia’s highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu. This fundraising trek saw around 40 participants pay our respects to the 1787 Australian POWs and 641 British POWs who were massacred, tortured to death or starved to death by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1945.

In average temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius and relative humidity hovering between 80–90 per cent, despite drinking electrolyte water, many of the 40 trekkers in 2008 succumbed to heat exhaustion at various times throughout the extremely arduous trek.

I was one of them.

Believe me, you don’t want heat exhaustion.

So, during your hot weather camping experiences, we recommend that you make a habit of being on the watch for headaches, nausea, cramps, excess sweating, dizziness or fainting. If someone overheats, lay them in shade, strip excess clothing, get them to sip water slowly and apply cold water, showers or wet towels to cool down. The key is not only to rehydrate them, but also to cool them down, any way you can. If that means applying ice packs if available, running them a cold water bath or shower or immersing them in a cool watercourse (if safe to do so), then that’s what you need to do in order to bring their body temperature down.

Ready to prep for a hot summer?

Heat doesn’t have to cut your adventure short. Stay hydrated, don’t overexert yourself, plan smart, pack smart, shade up, cover up and grab a copy of Hema’s Where to Camp Guide or fire up Hema Maps before you hit the road.

You’ll have the shade, the gear and the know-how to stay cool — no matter how high the mercury climbs.