Find simple camping tips, delicious quick recipes and more with our loyal, hardworking kelpie, Ace.
His infectious enthusiasm for the outdoors will inspire even the most indoor-focused families to give camping a try. With his warm red and tan fur, bright blue eyes, and that genuine smile that says “adventure awaits,” Ace proves that getting outside doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
You’ll find Ace beside his trusty ute (complete with personalised number plates), tent perfectly pitched, and a pot of something delicious bubbling over the campfire. But here’s what makes Ace special for families: he understands that successful outdoor adventures aren’t about having the most gear or conquering the biggest mountains – they’re about creating positive experiences that bring people together.
⛺ Ace’s Family-Friendly Camping Philosophy
Ace learned early on that family camping trips deserve thorough preparation and realistic expectations. His approach focuses on building confidence through small, successful experiences before tackling bigger adventures. Start with backyard camping, progress to local parks, then work up to those dream destinations like Bunya Mountains or Uluru.
His camping setup reflects this philosophy – functional, organised, but not overwhelming. Everything has a purpose, from the carefully selected camping bag contents to the perfectly positioned campfire cooking station. Ace shows families that you don’t need expensive equipment to create magical outdoor memories.
🥾3 Simple Ways to Start Your Family’s Outdoor Journey
- Backyard Adventure Nights Ace recommends starting with camping in your own backyard. Set up a tent, cook dinner on a portable camp stove, and tell stories under the stars. Kids get the excitement of “camping” while parents have the security of being close to home. It’s also a perfect way to test gear and routines before heading to remote locations.
- Local Park Discoveries Find a nearby park or nature reserve for day trips. Ace’s approach involves letting kids explore while adults practice outdoor cooking techniques. Pack a simple lunch to cook over a camp stove, bring a nature scavenger hunt, and end with quiet time listening to natural sounds. These short adventures build confidence and skills gradually.
- Music and Movement in Nature Ace’s love for music adds magic to outdoor experiences. Bring a portable speaker for gentle background music during setup, encourage kids to listen for natural “music” like bird songs and rustling leaves, or have impromptu dance parties in beautiful settings. Music helps families relax and creates positive associations with outdoor time.
🍲Healthy Campfire Cooking Made Simple
Ace’s campfire cooking isn’t about complicated recipes – it’s about fresh, nourishing meals that taste amazing outdoors. His philosophy centres on preparation at home and simple cooking techniques that work reliably over open flames.
Start with one-pot meals that require minimal cleanup: hearty vegetable stews, simple pasta dishes, or foil packet meals with fresh vegetables and protein. Ace’s secret is seasoning preparation at home – pre-mixed spice blends in small containers make outdoor cooking feel effortless and taste restaurant-quality.
For families new to campfire cooking, Ace suggests starting with a camp stove before progressing to open fires. Safety and confidence come first; adventure cooking skills develop naturally with practice.
🥘 Recipe: One-Pot Campfire Veggie & Lentil Stew
🥕Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (400g) brown lentils (rinsed & drained)
- 3 cups vegetable stock (or water + stock cube)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
👩🏽🍳Method
- Prep at Home: Dice the vegetables and store them in a sealed container. Pre-mix the smoked paprika, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small jar.
- Campfire Cooking:
- Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over your camp stove or fire grill.
- Add onion and garlic, cook until fragrant.
- Stir in carrots, celery, and zucchini. Cook 5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, lentils, stock, and spice mix. Stir well.
- Simmer for 20 minutes until veggies are tender.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or damper.
🤎🐕Ace Tips
- Start with a camp stove until you’re confident with open flames.
- Use a cast iron pot for even heat and durability.
- Pack veggies pre-chopped in zip bags or containers → saves time & mess.
- Bring a small spice jar kit — it makes outdoor meals taste like home.
- Keep cleanup simple: one pot, one spoon, one happy family.
♿ Making Outdoor Adventures Accessible for Everyone
Ace understands that not every family has experience with outdoor activities, and that’s perfectly okay. His adventures with Taro show how outdoor fitness can be adapted for different abilities and confidence levels. The goal isn’t to become extreme athletes – it’s to find joy in movement and fresh air.
Simple hiking games keep kids engaged: nature bingo, rock collecting, or photography challenges using phones or disposable cameras. Adults benefit from the mental health boost of gentle exercise combined with natural settings, while families create shared experiences away from daily distractions.
🪷Sacred Places and Respectful Adventure
Ace’s camping trips to places like Uluru teach important lessons about cultural respect and environmental stewardship. These aren’t just beautiful destinations – they’re opportunities to learn about Australia’s rich cultural heritage and practice Leave No Trace principles.
For families, this means researching destinations beforehand, understanding local customs and regulations, and teaching children that outdoor privileges come with responsibilities. Ace demonstrates how respectful adventure creates positive experiences for everyone while preserving beautiful places for future generations.
🤝🏽Building Family Connections Through Shared Challenges
What Ace loves most about outdoor adventures is how they naturally bring families together. Away from screens and daily routines, families rediscover each other through shared experiences – setting up camp together, problem-solving when weather changes, and celebrating small victories like successfully lighting the campfire.
These connections happen organically outdoors. Kids often open up during hiking conversations, parents rediscover playfulness, and families create inside jokes and lasting memories. Ace’s gentle leadership style shows how outdoor challenges can strengthen family bonds rather than create stress.
📍Practical Tips for Camping Beginners
Ace’s years of experience have taught him that successful family camping comes down to a few key principles: start small, prepare thoroughly, stay flexible, and focus on connection over perfection. His camping bag contains carefully chosen essentials, not everything available at the outdoor store.
Essential items include weather-appropriate clothing, basic first aid supplies, reliable lighting, simple cooking equipment, and entertainment for unexpected downtime. But Ace always emphasizes that the most important equipment is a positive attitude and willingness to embrace imperfect moments as part of the adventure.
🎶Music, Movement, and Memory Making
Ace’s integration of music into outdoor experiences creates magical moments families remember forever. Whether it’s singing around the campfire, creating nature soundscapes, or having dance parties in meadows, music transforms outdoor time from simple exercise into joyful celebration.
These musical moments often become family traditions – special songs associated with favorite camping spots, or dance routines that emerge spontaneously during beautiful sunsets. Ace shows how simple additions like music can transform good outdoor experiences into unforgettable family adventures.
Starting your family’s outdoor journey with Ace means embracing adventure at your own pace, focusing on connection over perfection, and discovering that some of life’s best moments happen under open skies.