It’s been a year since the last festival season, and already we can feel it in the air – or is that just unseasonable summer temperatures? As the millennials and all the rest of us rocket into this era of environmental instability, it’s important to remember that proper planning will help us avoid total disaster – same can be applied to your next campsite construction. Though your local shindig might not be Burning Man in the festival camp stakes, Homecamp want to help you lead the pack, inspiring the ultimate outdoor retreat this festival season.

Why go to all this trouble? Having a sturdy base and a comfortable nest to kick back will come in handy when the non-stop party could use a pause button. And while everyone else stumbles into each others two-person (yeah, right) tents by mistake, your DIY donjon’ll be easy to find – and the envy of all.

PACKING

Months before you even buy your tickets – it’s time to start practicing your tetris skills. Before you head out on the road, and you’re all sitting there scratching your heads thinking Johnny might have to stay behind… It helps to keep things simple with a handy checklist. Then you’re free to pile in what you can fit.

Packing DOs

• tent, sleeping bags, and if you want any sleep at all, bed rolls
• food, camp stove, kettle, saucepan, cups, plates and cutlery
• water, an esky, ice
• extra propane, sturdy garbage bags, tarps
• a spare car key, cash, card, and a phone charger
• season appropriate clothes, sunscreen and gumboots
• toilet paper (AKA paper towels, make up wipes, decoration and fire fuel)
• decorations (a. original but b. practical – a flag is a classic landmark) and a lantern for light
• electrical tape and a first aid kit (in case you or your tent need any patching)
• musical instruments, arms, legs and of course, your marbles.

Packing DON’Ts

• raincoats and umbrellas (pretty much like bringing your mum, don’t be the proverbial wet blanket)
• heels, pumps, platforms or anything white
• glass bottles
• nasty detergents or soaps

Big garbage bags will keep your camp clean and double as DIY rainwear. (Yes, yes, we said don’t camp ugly, but since it’s raining no one’s phones are out to capture you in your new placcy smock, right?)

GRUB

First of all, check your Festival FAQs for rules around cooking, especially gas burners, fires and extra propane.

Just because you’re eating around a communal campfire like your ancestors from way back when, doesn’t mean you should shed all civility – sup in style with Homecamp enamelware and your handy canvas camping utensil roll.

Making breakfast each morning is a priceless ritual whether you’re catching the sunrise or healing from a hangover, and will save you forking out for every meal for notoriously expensive festival food fare. Eggs and bacon will make the sun shine on the second day – but they won’t keep forever. Shake up some pancakes (mix) with maple syrup if you’re feelin’ fancy, muesli bars and fruit for pure sustenance and if your cooking options are limited.

Pillboxes make for excellent transport of spices. Classic combinations, mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper and olive oil will keep your taste buds and your real buds happy. Instant ramen spiced up with a little peanut butter tastes like heaven whether you’re the freshest of daisies or not sure what day it is.

3. Be kind to the environment

The idea of sustainability has become almost ubiquitous with festival life all over the world. Making a big old mess isn’t going to win you any points with volunteers, security, your fellow campers or the planet. Wasteful camping is the ugliest way to camp.

• Bring reusable wares like silver cutlery, thermos or water bottle, plates.
• Decorate your tent with solar powered LED Christmas lights – eco-friendly and easy to find. If you have enough, trace them along the lines of your tent ropes and pegs, and no one’s going to get peg-legged late at night.
• Showers can be hard to come by, but rather than letting the tap run forever while you desperately try to cut through days of sunscreen, deodorant and dirt, buy a large (4L) spray bottle – the kind generally used for pesticides – and use this for quick daily refreshments. This will also come in handy for dishes, hand washing, and not wasting your time with baby wipes, hand sanitiser, nasty detergents etc. This will also make you the most popular punter on a hot as hell dancefloor.

• Have a couple of extra garbage bags for recycling. Most festivals will have rubbish stations for rubbish and recycling, and maybe even compost that you can deposit when the day is done.
• Don’t drop your ciggie butts. Period. Bin them where possible – better still, bring a small disposal container to the stage/dancefloor in your avant-mode bumbag.
• Leave no trace. Part of this is getting yourself a long-term quality tent, and not partaking in the buy, trash and toss culture of mass produced outdoor gear. We suggest installing the age-old (at least our age) clean up song ritual with a daily clean up to your favourite tunes. There’s nothing like a clean campsite when you’ve got a messy head…

When all is sung and done, and your tent is packed up, all you leave is footprints.

Images where specified are by Sydney-based photographer Dane Tucker. “Every time I capture a perfect moment, it gives me an indescribable rush. A joy. I work hard to get those moments.” See more at The Salty Shutter.