Why camping in Winter isn't as bad as it sounds

Most people associate camping with the summer months. Warm weather, long days at the beach, soaking up the most of the summer holidays. Sounds like a dream! But what if I told you my favourite time to camp was in the middle of winter? If your first reaction is to shiver and shake your head, hear me out because there are heaps of reasons why you should make your next camping trip a cold-weather one.

No crowds

We’ve all been crammed into a caravan park, feeling like you haven’t even left the city, surrounded by the noise of screaming kids, drunk adults and blaring caravan TV’s. Or when you go to book your favourite campsite and it’s booked out all summer long. In winter, there are fewer crowds, so you’re way more likely to get your own space, along with a little more peace and quiet. Plus it’s always easier to get into your favourite spot without too much planning. Another bonus in booking off-season is that it’s quite often cheaper than the peak of summer.

Fires are better

You’ve never really appreciated a good campfire until you’ve had one in winter. When I have a fire in summer, it’s always a nice vibe but I often find myself getting way too hot. Especially when I’m cooking on the fire. In winter, the warmth of a fire is a blessing. You can crank it up, huddle around it and sip a nice warm drink without overheating. You’re also more likely to be allowed a fire in winter when the fire danger is lower and there’s less risk of bushfire. Just make sure you bring enough wood.

Good weather

I reckon it’s much easier to warm up than it is to cool down. Depending on where you are, summer is the hot, windy season. It always seems nice but in reality, it can be kinda uncomfortable. Think sleeping in a hot sticky tent and trying to avoid sand blowing into all your stuff. Winter is often blessed with clear, calm days that are perfect for exploring. Then at night, the cold weather is the perfect excuse to crawl into bed early with a hot water bottle (yep you can and should definitely take these camping), a good book and a hot cuppa.

Fewer critters

The cool winter weather makes life hard for critters like flies and mosquitoes. Hooray! No waking up to that incessant buzzing in the middle of the night. Other critters like snakes are also less active so you’re less likely to stumble on one while walking along a trail. If you’re someone who isn’t into creepy crawlies, make the most of the outdoors while everything is in hiding for the winter.

Activities galore

You might need a few extra layers, but the cold doesn’t mean you can’t go out exploring nature. You can go hiking without having to hide from the heat in the middle of the day, and you’re less likely to get extreme sunburn or heat stroke. It gets dark earlier so there’s more time for night activities like spotlighting, stargazing, and hanging by the fire.

Depending on your location, some amazing animals turn up in the winter months, like the whales that travel up the coast from Antarctica in June. For ocean lovers, the water is clear, the winds are low and there are heaps of waves to surf if you’ve got the right wetsuit. Water activities like kayaking and SUPing (stand-up paddle-boarding) are also great options if you prefer to stay drier.

It’s peaceful

In the short, cool days of winter, it often feels like there’s less pressure to pack stuff in like there is in summer. You often spend more time doing simple, satisfying things like making fire, searching out patches of sun, hanging around camp and chatting with fellow campers. You start to notice small, beautiful things like the winter plant colours, fog rising off of the water and the crackle of the flames.

Being so aware of the weather makes you feel connected to nature in a different way which is really special. Getting out there is an adventure because you’ve braved the cold. Nothing quite beats that tranquil sense of achievement.