SURVIVAL GEAR AND ESSENTIALS

No matter how well-planned a camping trip is, the Australian bush has a way of throwing curveballs. These are the five survival items that should be in every camper's kit before leaving the driveway. First, a fire starter: the Magnesium Fire Starter works even in wet conditions, which is exactly when you need it most. Second, a Multi-Tool packs 15 essential tools including pliers, a saw, screwdrivers, and a bottle opener into one compact, rust-resistant unit. Third, a navigation tool, LIKE the Map Compass is non-negotiable for remote areas where phone signal drops out. Fourth, an emergency blanket, the Emergency Blanket is wind and waterproof, reflects body heat, and takes up almost no space in your pack. Fifth, a first aid kit, for a family outing, a well-stocked kit covering everything from bandages to a CPR face shield is essential. For a full picture of what to pack before heading out, our camping essentials guide is worth reading before every trip.

For a family of four, you need a power station with enough capacity to handle multiple devices simultaneously: think phones, tablets, a camp light, a portable fridge, and possibly a fan, across multiple days. Capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh): the higher the number, the longer it runs your gear. For a weekend trip, the Rover 600 Power Station is a solid choice. It can charge up to nine devices at once and handles the essentials comfortably for a short getaway. For longer trips or if you're running a fridge continuously, the Rover 1300 steps it up with higher capacity for larger appliances and extended off-grid stays. It's also worth pairing your power station with a solar input to top it up during the day rather than returning to a depleted battery each evening. Our battery box vs power station guide breaks down exactly how to size your setup based on how you camp.

A solar blanket is a foldable, lightweight solar panel designed to be packed flat and deployed quickly at camp to harvest energy from the sun. Unlike rigid hard-frame solar panels, solar blankets are made from flexible photovoltaic material that rolls or folds down into a compact carry bag, making them far easier to transport and store. At camp, you lay them out in a sunny spot and connect them to your power station or battery box to keep it topped up throughout the day. OZtrail's 20 Watt Portable Solar Panel is a great entry-level option for keeping phones and small devices charged, while heavier users running fridges and lighting on extended trips can step up to a higher-output blanket for serious power replenishment. The key advantage over a fixed panel is portability, you can angle and reposition them as the sun moves to maximise output, and pack them away without adding significant weight or bulk to your setup.

Solar panels and power stations serve different roles, and the short answer is no. They work best together rather than as replacements for each other. A solar panel generates power from sunlight, but it can only do so while the sun is shining, and output drops on cloudy days or in shaded campsites. It has no storage of its own, meaning it can't power a fridge at night or run anything once the sun goes down. A power station is the storage unit - it holds the energy so you can draw on it whenever you need it, day or night. The most reliable off-grid setup pairs both: solar panels replenish the power station during daylight hours, extending how long you can stay off-grid without needing a mains or car charge. The Rover Battery Box paired with the Rover 120Ah Lithium Battery is a good example of a modular setup that integrates neatly with solar input for exactly this kind of extended off-grid use.

For long trips, you want a layered lighting system rather than relying on a single source - one that covers the whole campsite, your cooking area, and personal navigation without draining your power too fast. Rechargeable LED lanterns are the backbone of any good camp lighting setup: they're efficient, bright, and can be topped up via your power station or solar during the day. The Lumos Panel 1200L Light delivers powerful, even illumination across a wide area, making it ideal for lighting up a gazebo or communal cooking space. For personal use around camp and night walks, a reliable headlamp keeps your hands free. The Ignite 1000L Rechargeable Speaker Lantern adds versatility with a built-in speaker, a handy bonus for longer stays where comfort matters. The golden rule for extended trips is to prioritise rechargeable over battery-powered wherever possible, so you're not burning through disposable batteries after a few days in the bush.