Before GPS, drones, and glamping pods, there were road maps, esky picnics, and caravan holidays powered by Dad’s mixtape. Here’s a look back at classic Aussie camping life, these throwbacks shared by our incredible community.
“The Good Old Days” – Remember when family road trips meant no seatbelts in the back and everyone packed into one car?
Alison E
Karen H
Karen B: “Mid 80’s, hilux in the background, tent, click clack chairs, air beds that doubled as floaties for paddling up gorges during the day and canned braised beef ‘n’ onion jaffles for dinner! Camping at UDP falls, now known as Gunlom falls, Kakadu NP”
Robyn B: “With my parents.”
“Retro Camp Setups” – Tin kettles, canvas tents, and caravan interiors that looked straight out of a disco… and we loved it.
John McL: “44 years ago, me behind the camera “
Gordo M: “Early 1970’s. “Huntingdale” at Glen Alice. Me with my mum and dog, Jeanie. The gun wasn’t loaded”
Dianne S: “1955. All you needed was two cars and a tarp. Grandparents had the tent on the left of the picture”
Murray W
“Kids at the Campsite” – Barefoot, muddy, and beaming—these childhood camping moments are what memories are made of.
Natalie B
Sue H: “Love this one of my daughter…she’s 28”
Anne B: “1985. I think it’s either Eildon or Eppalock. These “Kids” are now 46, 42 & 39!”
Ken B: “Me around 1960”
“Iconic Vehicles & Vans” – The Kingswoods, the Kombis, and the trusty old Falcon wagons… talk about character!
Dewa M
Alison E
Chris A: “Landcruiser Park Qld, Winter of 2009— 4wd Expo, got to camp at 7pm, set up in the dark and realised I had no pillow, no blankets and no other clothes besides the singlet and shorts I had on. Went and sidled up to a stranger’s fire then about midnight I drove around for ages with the heater on…”
Anne B: “Pambula Beach Christmas 1977”
David B
Whether it was your first caravan holiday or summers spent under the stars, these photos are a beautiful reminder that the spirit of camping hasn’t changed—just the fashions.
Have a photo from your early camping days? Share it with us for a future throwback feature!