Camping is a great way to have a holiday that doesn't break the bank, yet provides a lot of fun for everyone.
It is the cheapest way to Travel Western Australia! Not only this, but it is totally different to the average day, which means you can relax even more! Camping is a massive subject, because you can do it with tents, caravans, campervans, cars, canoes, bikes, a Camper Trailer or motorcycles.
It can be done in the middle of nowhere, or in a caravan park or even in your backyard, depending on what your preferences are.
  A lot of people find that camping makes a holiday difficult and not very enjoyable, but if you are set up well with the right equipment you can have just as much fun as any holiday, for a fraction of the price.
Camp Sites You can find Camp Sites all over the place or simply go to areas where you are allowed to camp.
This is an important point; do some research prior to leaving on a holiday to make sure you have a few places that you are allowed to camp.
If you can book, make sure you do it well before hand, because they tend to fill up quickly.
Camp Sites can be found in Caravan Parks (for a price per person each night) or you can go out into nature and find free campsites.
Of course, there are advantages of staying in a Caravan park, some of which include fresh water, showers, toilets, electricity and other amenities which we all need.
This is often the best place to start for those that know very little about Camping.
On the other hand, if you are experienced and comfortable with camping, why not find a secluded place in the bush or near the beach to have an enjoyable trip? Personally I much prefer being away from civilization and as a result would much prefer to drive that bit further.
Of course, this means that you need to be more prepared, but it is sure worth it.
Also, you don't have to pay to stay the night, which over a long period of time can mean quite a bit of money in the bank.
The location that you pick to go camping has huge impacts on the trip.
What you take has to be based around where you are going, in terms of weather, things to do and what is provided at the Camp Sites.
Why many people don't like Camping As mentioned in my previous post about Honeymoon Pool, a large number of people will only camp every so often because they find it uncomfortable.
Of course, things are a little less civilized when camping, but this doesn't mean you can't have a great time.
What it really comes down to is what you take with you, and how it gets used.
With the technology that we have today, an enjoyable camping trip is truly not very difficult.
You can have as many luxuries as you want when you go camping; the only limit is the price tag.
Today, you can purchase fridges (or an Ice Chest), a Portable Shower brilliant lighting systems, waterproof tents, taps for fresh water, stoves, freezers a Portable Toilet and literally anything else that you want to name.
If you put the effort into setting things up well, you can be just as comfortable as at home.
The only problem - not many people know about it! Sure, there is more work involved in Camping.
You need to set up the tents, cook your own food and build your own fire, but it's sure worth it.
Nothing beats sitting around a camp fire at night, cooking marsh mellows and relaxing.
I've recently written a post on the things you need to take camping - see Camping Gear List.
Great Value Whether you go Camping by yourself or with a big family, the savings compared to staying in a house, hotel, motel or chalets are simply incredible.
Not only this, but even the best resorts aren't usually found on a beach, or right on the banks of a beautiful lake or river.
To enjoy nature in its purest form you need to camp.
There is something simply amazing about waking up with the birds and watching the sun rise over flat water, which is a privilege that I have had several times.
In all honesty, the most beautiful parts of the world have to be explored.
Sure, it's great fun to stay in the luxury of a nice hotel or resort, but there is something else about camping which makes it so popular.
In Australia, we are lucky enough to have so much to explore, and a little population as well.
You don't have to go far to get away from everything, which is very special.
Camping is totally the opposite of most people's everyday life, which is a change that I welcome regularly.
You go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier, in accordance to the sun.
There is no need to rush around; just relax and take it easy.
As a kid, I have great memories of camping, and I don't know many children that don't enjoy it! Types of Camping • Tents The most common type of camping is using a tent.
These can be made of various materials, and designed for different types of weather.
Today, tents are much lighter and pack up tiny, compared to the huge and heavy tents several years ago.
These are cheap to buy, waterproof (unless they are cheap kids tents) and last a long time.
Make sure you purchase a tent that suits your needs (number of people sleeping in it, weather you are camping in and how often you are going to use it)! •    Swags A Swag is basically a waterproof sleeping bag.
Today, you can buy swags with poles in them so the material is held off your body.
These are smaller, contain mattresses and are very warm and comfortable if used properly.
I love using a swag because they are much easier to unpack.
I keep my sleeping bag, mattress, pillow, torch and even some clothes in my swag.
When we set up, you just roll it out, put the poles up and peg it down and you're done.
•    Caravans Caravans are towed by a car, and more often than not a large four wheel drive.
They are basically mobile homes, with beds, kitchens, televisions, toilets and various other luxuries.
•    Campervans A Campervan is similar to a Caravan, except they are much smaller and often better when going off road.
A campervan is a trailer which can 'open up' to create a tent on the side and on top of the trailer.
These are much cheaper than a Caravan, but can still have the same luxuries •    Hiking or Backpacking Hiking involves walking primarily through bush land, and carrying the supplies that you need with you.
Usually this means a tent, food, water, personal items, sleeping gear and clothes.
The idea behind hiking is to carry the least amount of gear as possible, and to make it light weight.
It is all carried in a large backpack.
On long trips, hikers will often go through towns and pick up extra food and water as they need it.
There are a huge number of places in the world that can only be explored by foot, which explains why so many people love hiking.
•    Canoeing Canoeing Camping is great fun.
Much like hiking, you carry everything that you need in the canoe.
Of course, it needs to be waterproof, and is usually put in a waterproof barrel.
At the end of the day, or when you need a break, you pull over onto the shore and set up camp.
•    Car Camping Car Camping usually involves staying in a tent, but carrying all of the gear you need in a car.
This reduces the need to pack small and light weight objects.
Four Wheel Drive cars can drive almost anywhere, whilst normal cars are limited to Camp Sites with good roads.
•    Bicycles Many people enjoy riding across distances and taking their supplies with them.
Again, it's important to take light weight, small gear and carry everything that you would possibly need.
Bikes break down occasionally, so having repair gear is also important! Why Camping is great Overall, camping is one of the best ways to get out and explore parts of the world.
I love it because it is cheap and yet amazingly good fun.
Being able to get away from such a fast paced life is something that you have to experience! The places that you are able to visit if you take up camping exceed what you could ever see when staying at a holiday house, hotel or resort any day.
There is a reason some places are known as hidden treasures! If you haven't ever been camping before, find out a little bit about what you need to take and give it a go.
Places that I enjoy Camping I love camping throughout Western Australia, but some of my favourite places are Dwellingup, White Hills, Dunsborough, Sandy Cape, Peaceful Bay, Pemberton, Honeymoon Pool, Cervanties, Lancelin and of course Coral Bay! There is so much to talk about camping, and I will have to go into much greater detail to explain it all in future posts.
Above all, you need to be safe when camping.
Like anything, being aware of the dangers and how to do things correctly can save you a lot of problems.