Nov 8

Nov 8 The first time

Camping for the first time with little humans? It pays to prepare, writes Tatyana Leonov.

We’re on the New South Wales Central Coast, and no one is going to get much sleep. There are three of us snuggled closely in a small tent and the excitement is too much for our daughter, who has never been camping before. Plus, she’s on

a sugar high. We brought a massive packet of marshmallows to share with a few other families, but we think she’s eaten them all in one sitting. She smells sickly sweet, and her fingers remain sticky through multiple hand washings.

We do eventually drift off, only to be woken up by a chorus of screeching red-tailed black cockatoos locked in a blood feud with a couple of noisy miners. Our daughter chimes in with the birds, and then decides it’s time to get up. Within 15 minutes, the three of us are stumbling along Putty Beach.

The sun has barely risen, but there are people around. The active types – joggers and surfer – sashay along the sand and water and I conclude they must have all slept a minimum of eight hours. Then there are families, much like us parents cradling camp mugs that hold liquid gold, being led by little people who dance and skip with not a worry in the world… until they need a piggyback because their legs are tired.

The big idea

There are more than 870 national parks in NSW, with campsites ranging from secluded patches of paradise in remote locations to huge expanses of land with showers, toilets and barbecues. We choose Putty Beach campground – the largest camping site in Bouddi National Park. With parking in close proximity, on-site barbecues for cooking, and a toilet and shower block, it’s popular with families. The location seals the deal. The campground is situated right behind Putty Beach, within easy walking distance to sand and sea and only 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney. But we knew we would have to plan our visit well, and we clocked up almost as many hours packing as we did camping.

Feels like home

It takes all of 10 minutes for our daughter to settle into her new home… technically before ‘home’ is even set up, but camping is all about enjoying the great outdoors. Setting the tent up is my husband’s domain, but our daughter helps with a few pegs before venturing off to look for firewood with some other kids. It’s relatively busy this weekend, but the hum of activity adds to the excitement. There are children scooting around, toddlers wobbling along trying to keep up, music coming from multiple directions, and the aroma of sausages drifting through the air. This intense combination of sights, sounds and smells is one of the aspects my husband loves most about camping, and he hopes to instil that love of the great outdoors in our daughter.

One of our friends has brought a pull-along buggy, so to keep the kids happy he ambles around the campground, pulling it along as the adults continue set up. He quickly makes a reputation for himself as the 'fun dad', and before long there is a queue of children from around the campground wanting to join in.

By the time we’ve cooked dinner, it’s well past the kids’ bedtimes, although they don’t seem to realise or care. It’s too dark to venture to the beach, so we position camp chairs in a semi-circle around a fire and send the kids to find sticks.

Beyond the campground

It’s easy to while away hours at a campground with good facilities, but we want to explore further afield, so we tackle some of the Bouddi coastal walk. The eight-kilometre trail runs from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach and, depending on the season, you might even see migrating whales. Regardless, it’s postcard-perfect scenery, all wildflowers, sweeping ocean views and rainforest. Our daughter sits in a baby carrier as we stroll along rocks, boardwalks and bush tracks, admiring the expansive views. We’re pleased we manage a kilometre and a bit before turning back.

We time our return perfectly, reaching Putty Beach as the sun begins sinking into the horizon. For my husband and I, it’s an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the serenity. For our daughter… well, she’s asking where the marshmallows are.

Need to know

Take your time to pack and start three days earlier. There’s more to factor in when travelling with a family, so minimise stress by preparing in advance.
Ensure you include some of the kids’ favourite items to ease anxiety, especially the first time you take them camping.
Stock up on baby wipes, paper towels and plenty of soap.
Pack plenty of drinking water, plus food, crockery and cooking utensils.
Sunscreen, insect repellent, rain gear and hats are all must-takes.
First aid prep is vital. You should travel with a first aid kit when in the bush, but at a minimum pack a thermometer and both Panadol and Nurofen in case of fever.
It’s much easier to set and pack up when it’s light. Set the tent up first and involve the kids with tasks such as pegging the tent corners in, gathering firewood for the campfire if you’re having one, and setting up an activity corner.