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BIG 4 Sandstone point holiday resort
Camping with a Little One
November 2021
We’ve always loved traveling and camping.
Back in the day, we’d go on trips or set up camp many times a year. But when Liam was born, our lives turned into a whirlwind of parenting for the first year and a half. We even had a trip to Thailand planned when he was six months old, but then COVID hit, our flights got cancelled, and that was that.
When Liam turned 18 months and started walking around on his own, we began to feel the camping itch again. International travel still wasn’t an option, but Australia—especially here in Brisbane, Queensland—wasn’t too restricted. We had a few short lockdowns and border closures, but overall, we were lucky to have some freedom.
So, in November 2021, we decided to plan our first camping trip with our little 18-month-old. Since it was our first time camping with a baby, we wanted somewhere close to home with good facilities to make things easier and more comfortable.
Our First Family Camping Adventure
Setting Up Camp with a Toddler: Our Journey Begins
Since it was our first time camping with Liam, we decided to keep it simple and just go for two nights. We packed light, too—our camping gear is pretty minimal. Even though we camp fairly often, we usually go for just two or three nights, so we don’t take too much with us. Otherwise, we’d spend all our time setting up, tearing down, and just feeling exhausted.
Our essentials are usually a tent, mattress, table, chairs, a beach or 3x3m gazebo, some basic kitchen gear, a coffee maker, and a camping fridge. If it’s just a quick overnight trip, we might only bring breakfast supplies and grab food nearby for other meals. For longer trips, like three or four nights, we bring the full setup—both the kitchen and the gazebo. And, of course, we can’t forget Liam’s scooter, balance bike, sand toys, and swimming gear!
For our tent, we stick to a 4-person size. We’ve thought about getting a bigger one to have more space, but larger tents are just too much hassle to set up alone, especially with a toddler. A fast setup is key! Plus, with a little one, we find he spends most of his time outdoors, so we don’t need much extra space inside the tent.
Our First Camping Trip with Liam
When we camp at a powered site, we always bring our coffee machine—it’s hard to beat a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, surrounded by nature. If we’re going to an unpowered site, we bring our trusty moka pot instead. Back then, Liam was around 18 months old, just a few months before he started using his balance bike. He had this little yellow tricycle from Big W for only $15, a classic Aussie trike that practically every kid here seems to have at the playground!
Liam didn’t have many toys with him, just a few outdoor ones, but he absolutely loved camping. Watching him so happy and engaged with nature made me think, we have to camp more often with him. Even without a lot of toys, he never got bored.
Now, we always bring his balance bike to campsites. Kids there are always riding scooters or bikes, so it’s perfect for him to join in. He loves swimming, playing on the playground, riding his bike, and even playing with leaves and toys in front of the tent. He’s constantly exploring and having fun, from the moment he wakes up and hops on his bike to the end of the day. All that play really tires him out too—he naps well and sleeps great at night!
There are two pools at the campsite—one’s for the kids, kind of like a beach-style pool that gradually gets deeper until it reaches about thigh-deep for adults. The other one, as you can see in the photo above, is a full-sized adult pool. It even has sunbeds, making it a really luxurious pool that you don’t usually find at other campgrounds. Right across from the pools, there’s a water park for kids, and since it’s only for the people staying at the campground, it’s never too crowded.
There’s also artificial turf with bean bags for lounging. With little ones around, it’s often uncomfortable sitting in regular chairs, so the turf makes for a nice, relaxed spot to hang out and rest.
After wrapping up our first camping trip with Liam, we were off on a two-week road trip the very next week!
Camping in Australia with Kids – Exploring Australian Camping Culture
