We are moving to Perth in July and are trying to sort out what to take with us. We go camping regularly in the UK and are wondering whether to ship over our tent and camping equipment. Does anyone camp in a tent in Australia or is it just caravans and campervans? Has anyone shipped over a tent before or had any problems especially with cleaning etc.

Hubs works in mining exploration and "camps" frequently as part of his job (see http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...9&postcount=57)

for recreational camping have you considered a roof top tent? http://www.hannibalsafari.com.au/ - stops lots of critters getting in!

Definitely bring tent, sleeping bags etc - just make sure they are cleaned well.
Camping is one of the great things to do in Australia - there are fantastic national parks. The older folk have SUVs and huge vehicle set ups (porta loo, shower, tarpaulins everywhere) but there's loads of camping too.

From friends' tales, they go into camping BIG style here. My friend went with 2 under 5 and a 12 WEEK old! They have a live in tent and then a whole separate 'kitchen tent'.......

Camping is huge here...but be prepared to feel a bit inadequate when you see how the locals do it!

Yes plenty of camping here, we have what I dubbed the Taj Matent as it is more like a small house than a tent.

Depending on how much equipment you have and the cost of shipping it over, have a look at Ray's Outdoors, Tentworld, BCF and Anaconda to see what equivalent gear costs over here.

Thanks everyone. Yes Vegemite Kids it was for recreational camping ours has a sewn in ground sheet so hoping that would be enough to stop the critters getting in?! Though by the sounds of these comments we might have to upgrade anyway. Can anyone recommend what to use to clean a tent, not sure if ground in dirt will pass customs. Will check those sites out thanks KJCherokee.

Why not just buy a tent in Kmart, or Big W(large general discount stores).

It sounds like a lot of hassle bringing a tent & sleeping bags, and having to bother cleaning them.

I could see customs having a fit over something like a tent, with all the otherwise innocent insect eggs & fungus spores tucked down the bottom & invisible.

Also, your sleeping bags even ones for the summer in UK, will be much too thick for most of Australia.

As mentioned, camping is hugh here, in all sorts of equipment, so you can spend a fortune, or a few dollars, and be as equiped enough as you'll need to be.

Also, google "swags" its an aussie invention, you might be interested in.

Humph. Packed the car last night for my first camping trip of the year but there is the most enormous black cloud hanging over us at the moment. I am a fair weather camper. Going to unpack the car.

Btw, if I had tents and other equipment and was bringing a container anyway then I would bring everything I had with me rather than buy new. We didn't bring anything though as we only took camping up since we moved here.

You'll need your uk sleeping bag for winter trips

Our first camping trip to the Sunshine Coast last August, saw daytime temps of 23 and night time temps of 6....

I even wore my woolie hat !!!

I washed and disinfected the pegs and labelled them as such taped to the outside of the tent. Don`t let the removal firm wrap it either,Put it in a box. stuff like this is gets marked `Priority` in customs and wrapped stuff gets CUT open, They put a small slice in mine opening the wrap. Fortunately it was not ruined,But could easily have been. As said if it looks clean its not a problem. If they find seeds and things inside they`ll probably burn it then charge you!.

We brought our tent and all our camping stuff, just thoroughly cleaned all the tent pegs and poles and cleaned the tent and it got through fine, if you have quite a lot of camping stuff I would bring it as it costs a lot to collect all your stuff again, so glad we brought ours.

Yes I agree, definitely bring it over with you. Believe me you will need nice warm sleeping bags for most of the country depending on the time of year.

Bring it all.