Spring Packing Guide: What to Bring for Comfy Camps

Dress for variety, not bulk

Layers do the heavy lifting in spring. Start with breathable tees or long-sleeves, add a light fleece or jumper for mornings, and keep a compact rain shell handy for passing showers. For the coast, a wide-brim hat, sunnies and long-sleeve sun shirts earn their keep; inland, a beanie and light gloves make dawn set-ups far nicer.

Shoes matter more than you think. A comfy pair of walking shoes handles most trails and town days. Sandals or slides are perfect for the site and quick dashes to the camp kitchen. Pack socks that dry fast and avoid cotton if you’ll be washing on the road.

Clothing quick list

• 2–3 breathable tees; 1–2 long-sleeves
• Light fleece/jumper; compact rain shell
• Walking shoes; sandals/slides
• Wide-brim hat; beanie for cooler regions
• Quick-dry socks and underwear

Sleep easy: warmth, airflow and small comforts

Cool nights still pop up in spring, especially near ranges or the coast. A mid-weight doona or sleeping bags with a spare blanket covers most conditions. If your van’s ventilation or climate controls vary by model, test them at home and carry a low-profile fan for gentle airflow.

Bring small comforts you’ll use nightly: soft earplugs for windy sites, a warm throw for the lounge and low-glare lamps for reading. A tidy bedside caddy (book, head torch, phone cable) stops the bedtime rummage.

Bedding & comfort list

• Mid-weight doona/sleeping bags; spare blanket
• Two pillows each (one softer, one firmer if space allows)
• Bedside caddy; earplugs; eye mask

Outdoor living that feels like home

Think of your site as an open-air lounge. A decent outdoor mat keeps dust at bay and defines the space. Two reclining chairs and a low side table cover most needs, with a folding dining table for bigger meals. Add soft evening light—string lights or a lantern—and keep a basket of “grab-and-go” items (bug spray, sunscreen, pegs, clips) near the door.

Keep set-up friction low. If awning privacy screens or wind breaks are your style, label their bags and store pegs and guy lines together. A mesh bag for wet towels and swimmers stops drips from migrating indoors.

Outdoor quick list

• Camp mat; 2 reclining chairs; side table
• Folding dining table; windbreak/privacy screen (optional)
• String/lantern lighting; pegs, guy lines, mallet
• Mesh bag for wet gear; shoe tub by the door

Power and connectivity without the clutter

Spring often means mixed sites—some powered, some not. A compact power board with surge protection, a roll-up extension lead, and a pouch of labelled adapters covers most parks. For unpowered stays, plan phone/camera charging with high-capacity power banks; if your set-up supports solar, confirm cables and regulators before leaving.

Store cables in clear zip pouches by type (240V, 12V, USB-C/Lightning). Keep a lightweight head torch in the same drawer and a spare torch near the entry for night-time dashes.

Small electrics list

• Power board; extension lead; adapters
• Power banks; charging leads; cable ties
• Head torch x2; spare batteries
• Optional: solar leads/regulator if part of your system

Camp kitchen: simple, fresh and packable

Spring produce shines with minimal fuss. Build a “kit that cooks” and a “kit that cleans” so anyone can help without asking where things live. Choose stackable containers, a chopping board that fits your bench, and a compact grill/BBQ if permitted.

Pantry staples

• Olive oil; salt/pepper; spice blend; vinegar
• Pasta or couscous; rice pouches for quick meals
• Tins: chickpeas, tomatoes, tuna
• Wraps; crackers; muesli; long-life milk
• Coffee/tea; small sweet treat for morale

Fresh shopping rhythm
Grab salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, seasonal fruit and a herb bunch every few days. Rotisserie chicken or sausages solve a first-night dinner; pre-cook a sauce at home and freeze it flat in a zip-lock.

Want a compact set-up that makes outdoor meals easy without towing a big rig?

Safety and routine you’ll actually use

Pack a first-aid kit, small extinguisher, hi-vis triangle, tyre gauge and a portable compressor. Levelling ramps and a small spirit level speed up site set-up. Keep a laminated “depart/arrive” checklist by the door so nothing gets missed when rain or hunger rushes you.

Arrival checklist

• Pick a level, shaded site; check overhead clearance
• Chock wheels; level with ramps; stabilisers down
• Awning out and secure; mat down; power/water connected
• Inside: fridge on; windows set for airflow; keys in the bowl

Departure checklist

• Stove off and gas off
• Hatches locked; antenna down; steps in
• Stabilisers up; chocks out; awning locked
• Brake/indicator lights checked; mirrors set

A packing system that scales

Use three colours of tubs to separate Living, Kitchen, and Outside. Label the short sides so you can read them in the tunnel boot. Keep one small “first-night box” that comes inside: tea/coffee, mugs, long-life milk, paper towels, dish soap, bin bags and a mini tool kit. You can roll into site after dark and still settle quickly.

If you travel with kids, give each their own half-size tub for clothes and treasures; it stows under a dinette by day and makes pack-up smoother.

In summary;
Pack for variety, not volume, and keep your system simple. The payoff is quick set-ups, calmer departures and more time sitting under the awning. Planning a compact touring upgrade this spring?