How to kit-out your four-wheel drive for camping

By Brendan Batty

The ultimate four-wheel drive camping setup. It's a headline you’ll see across many camping blogs, often accompanied by terms such as 'must-have', 'essential' and 'can't live without'.

It's also quite common that the list represents thousands of dollars in gear. The thing is, you can have a pretty comfortably decked-out four-wheel drive camping setup without spending too much money.

Some caveats, though. No camping setup is really 'the ultimate' for more than a small group of people, and almost every choice you make is a compromise. Take swags, for example. They look awesome, are comfortable, and most of the good ones are easy to set up and pack down. But, with a pair of swags on your roof, there's not much room for anything else. And getting changed lying down is an experience.

So, although nothing is ideal for everyone, here are some of the most important things to consider when building your own camping rig.

1. The best four-wheel drive for camping

This is, maybe, the most subjective topic, as there are so many different types of four-wheel drives, so we'll break it down to two options. The best four-wheel drive for a camping setup is either the one you already own (whatever it is), or if you don't own a four-wheel drive, something wagon-shaped - for example, an actual four-wheel drive wagon or a ute with a fully enclosed tray of some sort. Why? Because then all your stuff stays protected from the sun, dirt, dust, rain and opportunists. You can also build or buy very good storage systems for vehicles with large, rectangular storage spaces in the back.

If you already have a four-wheel drive that isn't wagon-adjacent, like a trayback ute or a Suzuki X-90 (remember those?), don't rush out for an upgrade just yet. Pack it up and take it out so you know what you do and don't like.

If you want to make your four-wheel drive go further, start with some good all-terrain tyres and a tyre pressure gauge. Deflating your tyres will get you further off-road for less money than any other modification you can be sold. Also, most people who want to travel Australia will be able to do it in a vehicle with little more than a modest suspension upgrade and lift.

2. Where to sleep - on or off the ground?

The trend in camping has moved away from people setting up tents on the ground. Now, more and more, travellers sleep in or on a vehicle. Think camper trailers, rooftop tents or caravans. The appeal is usually speed of setup, but on the flip side, sleeping on the ground is the least expensive (and original) way to get into camping.

Setting up camp is akin to building a castle for your family and can be wonderfully satisfying. However, packing up camp is the worst, so focus on a setup that's easy to pack up. You also have to decide whether you prefer a 'base camp', something separate from your four-wheel drive which you leave set up to explore from, or something more transient, like a rooftop tent, which goes wherever you drive, even if that's just for milk because you forgot it.

3. The camp kitchen

The camp kitchen is a vitally important part of any camping experience, but it doesn't have to be complicated. All the online chatter these days is about induction cooktops and espresso machines, but both require a significant investment in batteries, inverters, and charging, so they're not entirely feasible for most people. Just like at home, while camping you need somewhere to cook, somewhere to keep shelf-stable items, and somewhere to keep cold food.

The most versatile stoves are the briefcase-style ones you can get almost anywhere that plug into a proper gas bottle. The small butane stoves are okay, but the single-use canisters are quite a waste. Don't forget to pack something you can use over a campfire.

A fridge is the ultimate camping luxury, but for a fridge to be reliable, you need a decent auxiliary power system that includes a battery bank and, probably, solar charging. If you are only camping occasionally, a good-quality icebox might be more suitable.

Of course, you'll need to carry water. The ultimate is any solution you have where an electric pump makes it run when you turn on a tap. Four-wheel drives are naturally limited in how much water can be carried, because water is heavy, so focus on a solution that's easy to refill.

And lastly, don't forget your kitchen essentials – sharp knives, common utensils like spatulas, tongs and mixing spoons, as well as handy items you never remember until you need them, like potato peelers and graters.

4. Keeping your devices running

Most modern campers need electricity for refrigeration, lighting, device charging, and increasingly, Starlink. You probably need around 1000Wh (about 80Ah) of energy per day for basic needs. Good camping setups have auxiliary batteries and charging (ideally portable solar panel blankets) managed by a DC-DC controller with MPPT tracking for the solar charge. In the scenario above, you'd ideally have 100 usable amp hours of storage (a 200Ah AGM or 125Ah LiFePO₄ battery) and at least 200W of solar panels to reliably charge it each day.

Consider an inverter (a device that increases voltage from 12V to 230V). Inverters rated by wattage start at around 300W for the smallest, up to around 3000W for the biggest. For most people, something on the smaller end of the scale will be suitable.

5. Fitting it all in

The one thing seasoned campers have worked out is that it doesn't matter if you're going for a night or a month, you've got to pack almost the same amount of gear. Organising camping gear is an art and a passion for many, and it's widely agreed that drawers under a false floor in the back of your four-wheel drive make that much easier. There are plenty of DIY tutorials online, and just as many professionally made options you can buy. Being able to divide your load space also helps keep things organised even if it technically reduces how much space you have.

Storing things on your roof, or maybe even in a trailer (likely if you're a family), is also common. Roof platforms have come a long way in the last decade, with many modular solutions with click-and-connect attachments for common items like bikes, awnings, fuel cans or recovery tracks.

6. Protection from the elements

Car-mounted awnings are a very common way to add shelter at camp. The best are awnings that swing out 270° and cover the side and back of your vehicle. If you'd prefer shelter separate from your car, those concertina gazebos are really quite suitable, but the dedicated dome-shaped or inflatable camping versions often pack smaller. Or you could go old-school with a tarp, some tent poles and guy ropes. Whatever you use, make sure it'll be secure in windy conditions and that it can't pool water in the middle. The ability to add walls will make it even more versatile.

7. BYO ‘throne’

If you’re going to be setting up camp at a site that has no toilet facilities at all – including drop-toilets, you’ll need to come prepared with your own chemical toilet. You'll be relieved that you did because some site owners will turn you away if you don’t come equipped with your own ‘conveniences’ – which could be very inconvenient after a long trip.

8. Don't forget the toys

Whatever you do, don't get so carried away packing camping gear that you can no longer fit things you enjoy doing. There's no point driving halfway across the countryside and sleeping in a fabric bedroom just to miss out on doing things you love. That might be sitting in front of a campfire whittling some timber, or it could be mountain biking a new trail. Whatever it is - don't forget the reason you're getting outdoors in the first place.

WA campsites to test out your setup

Now that you've got the ultimate camping set up (or even if you don't), it's time to go camping. Fortunately, WA is the best place in the world to camp, so here are some of the actual ultimate campsites.

Sandy Cape, Jurien Bay

Once a defensive outpost against potential Japanese attacks in WWII, Sandy Cape, just north of Jurien Bay, is now a top spot to camp, fish, and four-wheel drive amongst the dunes. Many of the old fortifications are now covered in street (camp) art, adding a distinct counterpoint to the coastal dune landscape. Camping sites cost $25 per night, and the facilities are great for a remote, off-grid location.

Ningaloo's stations

Does camping steps from a coral reef sound idyllic? Make your way to the various coastal stations in the Ningaloo region and you'll find paradise. Choose from Nyinggulara National Park (formerly Ningaloo Station), Warroora (now also managed by DPAW), Gnaraloo or Quobba, and don't forget some fishing rods and surfboards.

Cape Le Grand, Esperance region

West is best, but if you head just a little east of Esperance to Cape Le Grand National Park, you can set up camp overlooking some of WA's most stunning coastline. Lucky Bay Campsite is the pick of a great bunch, but Le Grand Beach Campsite is also incredible.

Northern beaches, the Kimberley

Want to camp under those iconic pindan-red cliffs on the beach in the Kimberley? Head 14km north from Broome along Cape Leveque Road, then turn left onto Manari Road and follow it to the beach where you can camp for free for three days. Find a spot along the beach with epic sunsets one way and incredible cliffs the other.