Camping with Dogs: Our 5 Essentials

The caravan’s sitting in the driveway, the dogs are side-eyeing every bag, and Oliver’s packed more toys than sense (but not a single sock). Franklin has already claimed our bed and is happily snoring away, while Happy is pacing like we’re about to leave her behind (as if). If you’ve ever tried to get out the door with two dogs and a caravan, you know “organised” is just a rumour we tell ourselves.

Oliver and Franklin supervising the packing process. One's calm, one's chaos (I'll let you guess who's who).

We’re off to Noosa tomorrow for some “relaxation”, which is code for sand everywhere, dogs losing their minds at every new smell, and me pretending I remembered everything. But before we can hit the road, there’s the usual chaos of packing the van, with one dog living his best nap life and the other acting like she’s been abandoned.

Caravan life with dogs? It’s never as simple as tossing a lead in the boot and hoping for the best. Trust me, “winging it” only works for people with no pets and nerves of steel. After a few too many trips where someone gets carsick, someone else tries to make friends with livestock, and everyone learns something the hard way, I now know exactly what separates a chill getaway from a “never again” meltdown.

So if your driveway looks anything like ours, here’s what you actually need before you roll out:

Dog First-Aid and Meds

Happy’s motion sickness is no joke. If we forget her medication, we all pay for it , and I mean all. So now, before anything else, I pack the pet meds: motion-sickness tablets, tick and flea treatment, ear cleaner, wipes, and paw balm. We also keep a first-aid kit in the van: antiseptic spray, bandages, tweezers, gloves, etc. Not glamorous, but neither is trying to find a chemist in the middle of nowhere.

Pro tip: grab a pet first aid kit from Amazon, they’ve got everything you need in one spot.

Their Sleep Setup

At camp, we ditched the old dog beds after learning the hard way that ants love dog bellies. Now both dogs have elevated camping beds: easy to pack, keeps everyone off the ground, and saves us from a night of itchy, scratchy pups. A familiar blanket or mat on top helps them settle, something that smells like home and says this spot is yours.

Reliable Leads and Long Lines

Caravan parks and campgrounds are like Disneyland for dogs, endless smells, new friends, and the occasional rogue goat. That’s why we pack at least two good leads per dog. We’ve snapped clips, lost carabiners, and survived the great “lead tangle of 2024.” Now we keep one standard lead for walks and a 10-metre long line for exploring safely around camp. Franklin gets his sniff time, Happy gets her independence, and I get to drink my coffee without sprinting after anyone.

Pro tip: Hang them near the caravan door. You’ll grab them fifty times a day.

Food, Water, and the Magic of Routine

Camping seems to triple a dog’s appetite. Maybe it’s the air, maybe it’s the constant begging at the BBQ, but we bring measured portions of food for each day, plus two extra meals (because maths on holiday never adds up). For water, we use a dispenser bowl and bring a 10-litre bottle to make sure everyone stays hydrated. When we’re out and about, collapsible bowls are handy, but at camp, the regular setup is a winner.

Pro tip: don’t rely on the camp water—unless you want to spend your holiday cleaning up diarrhoea. (Looking at you, Tyler.)

Creature Comforts (aka Sanity Savers)

Here’s the stuff that keeps the peace: cooling mats for hot Queensland nights, Kongs and puzzle toys for when you’re trying to make dinner, extra towels for post-beach chaos, a portable fan (because caravans can turn into saunas), a torch or headlamp for midnight toilet runs, and wet wipes for paws, seats, faces… basically everything. None of it feels essential until you’re scrubbing mud off a dog with your only pillowcase.

The Wrap-Up

If your car or caravan looks like you’re moving house, you’re doing it right. Travelling with dogs isn’t tidy, it’s sand in the bed, slobber on the window, and happy snores at the end of the day.

We’ll hit the road tomorrow: dogs dosed, elevated beds packed, fridge loaded, and probably still forget something obvious (my money’s on Oliver’s shoes). But we’ll figure it out, because every trip teaches you what really matters.

If you’re packing too, save yourself a bit of the chaos.

👉 Grab your free “Camping with Dogs – Hot Weather Checklist” here: https://tr.ee/0Svfs0VfY4

It’s got the full list, from spare towels to emergency treats, so you can spend less time packing and more time enjoying the campsite.