{"id":18744,"date":"2017-11-14T04:47:01","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T18:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=18744"},"modified":"2023-06-07T16:14:17","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T06:44:17","slug":"camping-ultimate-affordable-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/camping-ultimate-affordable-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Camping is the Ultimate Affordable Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are lots of different ways to go on a holiday. Hop on a plane to another country, stay in a holiday house a few hours from home, head to a resort, or jump in your car and go camping. We are very fortunate in this country to have a plethora of choices!<\/p>\n

Leaving the daily grind behind to relax and explore is hugely important for your sanity as much as your health! However, the limiting factor for most is balancing the cost of the holiday with where you want to go and what you’d like to do. Unless you\u2019ve found a tree in your backyard that sprouts dollar bills (please hook me up if you have!), you\u2019ll have to do the ‘finance balance’ like the rest of us!<\/p>\n

\"Free<\/p>\n

Going camping locally is one of the most affordable holidays around.<\/em><\/p>\n

A Holiday Doesn’t Have to be Expensive<\/h2>\n

Holidays are usually quite pricey.<\/p>\n

Or are they?<\/p>\n

If you decide to have a simple camping holiday, they can become the ultimate economical trip away. In terms of ‘bang for your buck’, camping is a fantastic way to have a much-needed break away without denting the bank balance.<\/p>\n

There are a variety of ways in which you can save a fortune by camping, as opposed to through alternative holiday options.<\/p>\n

The Initial Investment<\/h2>\n

Before we jump in, it’s important to first acknowledge that to head away camping, you do need some gear.<\/p>\n

How much you spend and what you get depends entirely on what you want to do and how often you’re going to head away. If you’re someone who loves camping, spending a bit of money initially will pay itself back many, many times over.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t done much camping before, head away with friends or borrow gear before you commit to spending a heap of money on camping gear. You\u2019ll develop an appreciation of what\u2019s actually needed and some confidence knowing that what you buy is going to get used.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been camping for as long as I can remember and have spent a fair chunk of money setting up our 4WD and camper trailer. That said, we would’ve spent a small fortune on our holidays if they hadn\u2019t been based around camping.<\/p>\n

\"Camping<\/p>\n

Initially, you may have to invest in gear but it will allow you to explore further.<\/em><\/p>\n

Why is Camping More Affordable?<\/h2>\n

1. Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first, and primary way camping can save a heap of money is due to the accommodation price difference. Camp for free or at low-cost campsites across a huge portion of the country.<\/p>\n

Most national parks and shire run campgrounds are only $5-15 per person, per night. That\u2019s a pretty hefty saving – and even if you throw in a few powered campsites in nice caravan parks at $35-50 a night from time to time, you still walk away miles in front.<\/p>\n

Excluding plane flights, the difference in what you pay each night is usually the biggest indicator of which holiday is lower in price than the other. There are a number of families currently travelling around Australia on long-term holidays spending less than $150 a week on accommodation costs! That\u2019s substantially less than what you\u2019d pay for an average mortgage living at home!<\/p>\n

I will quickly mention here that if you are not savvy with where you stay, camping fees can also be very expensive. Some caravan parks are easily $100 a night for a family, so take your time to find a good value-for-money campground!<\/p>\n

\"Coalmine<\/p>\n

You save so much money when you stay at a campsite or caravan park.<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Food Expenses<\/strong><\/p>\n

When camping, the price of food is fairly similar to what you’d spend at home. You don\u2019t have the luxury of being able to cook hugely fancy meals, so food is usually simple, quick, and easy<\/a>. You won\u2019t find too many campsites next door to fast food eateries either, which means your budget for food bought from restaurants and cafes is dramatically reduced.<\/p>\n

Cooking on a gas burner<\/a> is relatively inexpensive – or, if you want a free option (and a fire ban<\/a> isn’t in place), there\u2019s nothing better than food cooked over a fire<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Of course, the more remote you go the more it costs to purchase food – but it still tends to be comparable to that at home.<\/p>\n

\"Free<\/p>\n

Being able to cook over a fire means tasty meals, and less spent on food.<\/em><\/p>\n

3. No Flights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Camping is usually done within a relative distance from home. Flights cost a fair chunk of money, which remains in your back pocket when you keep to your own backyard.<\/p>\n

That said, flying somewhere with your camping gear and hiring a vehicle in some cases is a similar price to driving your vehicle to your interstate destination.<\/p>\n

\"Walyunga<\/p>\n

Walyahunga Park is a great spot near Perth, so you don’t have to get on a plane for a trip.<\/em><\/p>\n

4. Slower Pace<\/strong><\/p>\n

When camping, everything is naturally done slower and more considered. You need time to set up camp, travel, and move. If you want a cup of tea or coffee, there\u2019s usually no running water or electric kettle – so you have to work a little harder to get it. That\u2019s alright though… it always tastes better anyway!<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also less free time available to spend money, and that\u2019s a good thing for your back pocket too.<\/p>\n

\"Exploring<\/p>\n

Exploring places is free, such as Thursday Rock along the Holland Track.<\/em><\/p>\n

5. You’re Away From the Shops!<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are beach camping on the south coast of WA, there\u2019s a pretty good chance the nearest shops are at least 50km away. If there\u2019s nowhere to spend your money, that money is going to stay with you!<\/p>\n

Basically – you pack everything you need, and if you forget something you do without it. There\u2019s no ducking down to the corner store to pick up odds and ends. The little shops soon add up!<\/p>\n

\"Exploring<\/p>\n

The Stockland Gully caves are one of the sights we’ve seen on camping trips.<\/em><\/p>\n

6. Camping is the Adventure<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s something amazing about camping – it\u2019s an adventure in itself. There’s no need to pay for entertainment when you’re camped on a beautiful beach, or next to a gorgeous river. Setting tents up, sleeping under the stars, sitting around a campfire, fishing, exploring the area, and appreciating the wildlife is what makes camping such a great experience. As they say \u2013 a change is as good as a holiday!<\/p>\n

These days, most of us live in a concrete jungle that doesn\u2019t change much. Just being out in the bush amongst nature is a very welcome change. Australia is one of the most amazing places in the world in terms of things to see and explore, and camping is one of the best ways to get out and see it all.<\/p>\n

\"With<\/p>\n

With amazing coastlines such as this – what more could you want?<\/em><\/p>\n

How to Keep Your Camping Costs Down<\/h2>\n

If you do enjoy camping as an alternative to other holidays, there are plenty of ways you can reduce the costs of the trip. Camping should be simple and straightforward, and the cost to do it reflects this.<\/p>\n

1. Avoid Expensive Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n

I mentioned above that accommodation costs will be the biggest expense when camping. Taking the time to find economical campgrounds will save you a fortune. WikiCamps is the best way to do this – an app under $10 that will change your camping life!<\/p>\n

\"Sandy<\/p>\n

Do your research and find the best-priced campgrounds for your trip.<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Travel During Off-Peak Season<\/strong><\/p>\n

Holidaying outside of school holidays and public holidays will save you a substantial amount of money in caravan park fees. National Parks tend not to change, but many campsites will also have a ‘peak’ and ‘off-peak’ season with different pricing.<\/p>\n

3. Travel Slower<\/strong><\/p>\n

The faster you travel, the more it costs. Those who cover a small area over a long period of time do so very economically. Fuel costs are reduced, and you actually cover the area properly as opposed to only experiencing the major (and often expensive) attractions in each place.<\/p>\n

\"Caravan<\/p>\n

Take your time to enjoy an area, that way you get the most for your time and money.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you spend a fair chunk of time camping, being self-sufficient<\/a> will save you huge money. Not having to pay for a powered site, or needing the toilet and shower facilities of a caravan park can save you hundreds of dollars a week.<\/p>\n

Things like water tanks, solar panels<\/a>, batteries, portable toilets<\/a>, fridges<\/a>\/eskies <\/a>and 12V lighting<\/a> allow you to camp comfortably off the grid, which in turn results in the availability of much more affordable campgrounds.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A 12V fridge allows you to travel longer, and camp in<\/em> better-priced campgrounds.<\/em><\/p>\n

5. Buy Good Quality Gear – Once!<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are all suckers when it comes to a good deal – but don\u2019t compromise on quality. I\u2019ve been caught out several times buying lower-priced gear and having to replace it not long after. Research the products you buy, and look for a combination of good value-for-money and quality – and you’ll have it for years to come.<\/p>\n

\"Self-sufficient<\/p>\n

If you do the maths, high-quality gear will save you in the long run.<\/em><\/p>\n

For some people, living out of a swag 365 days a year would be a dream come true. That doesn\u2019t have to be your dream though, and there\u2019s no reason why you can\u2019t split your holidays across both lower-budget getaways and more glamorous trips.<\/p>\n

All in all though, camping is a fantastic way to have that much-needed break on a budget.<\/p>\n

Ben and Lauren also chat about how to camp on a budget on the Snowys Camping Show podcast:<\/strong><\/p>\n