Australia is huge, and there’s so many options for shopping it’s hard to know what store is the most reliable, practical and on budget. This is why I’m sharing this list of the best outdoor and camping stores in Australia, for those travelling.
The most important thing to know about outdoor camping stores in Australia, is that prices can vary greatly, even for the same products at different stores. For each store I’ll go over the pros and cons, and what each one is best for.
Keep in mind that not every store has it all, it’s always good to shop around and check online to balance quality and cost. These are just a few of the best outdoor and camping stores in Australia.
Table of Contents
4WD SupaCentre
I didn’t discover 4WD SupaCentre until half a year of travelling Australia. It’s the store behind the popular Adventure Kings brand, and has a hefty presence both online and in-store. The prices here are much lower than other stores and brands.
For those travelling in a vehicle across Australia, this store is a godsend.
4WD SupaCentre is good for almost everything outdoor and camping. My partner and I have our fridge, table and awning purchased from this store. The quality stands true, granted, we use them for their purpose and haven’t had any problems. 4WD SupaCentre is located in most major cities, and even some smaller regional towns as well. They also do well online, with lots of discounts—even daily. If you’re keen to buy online, but are travelling, check out how to shop online without a mailing address.
Anaconda
Anaconda is located in almost every city, as well as online. Anaconda, has almost everything needed for camping and outdoor activities. What’s better about Anaconda compared to other stores is that it has a much bigger range. They have all different brands for nearly every product, including the big brands and its own brand.
This makes it sometimes easier than searching for products in different stores, when everything is in one place. Anaconda can be more expensive, but they do have good sales. Another bonus is they’re located in most major towns and cities, even some smaller ones. There’s more stores across Australia than there are other outdoor stores, so it makes it easy to drop it and check out products. They also have a good warranty policy and they fill gas bottles.
BCF – Boating Camping Fishing
This store was a bit intimidating to me at first as I don’t boat or fish. However, BCF has an amazing selection of quality global brands, for all different kind of gear. I find some of their gear is more to the point, unlike Anaconda which has 20 different styles for the same thing, BCF might have five different styles, such as for swimming flippers. And sometimes, less is more.
BCF is a go-to shopping spot for all things camping, even if it’s only a third of the name. The prices are still good here amidst the amalgamation of brands. Better yet, this store is also in most towns and cities so it’s easy to get new gear when it’s necessary.
Kathmandu
I had never heard of Kathmandu the brand before coming to Australia, and now I love it. Not only do I have their compact hiking/backpacking tent, I also have a puffer jacket, gloves and other great gear. Kathmandu definitely makes quality outdoor gear.
Although it’s pricey, and the quality is worth it. There’s also a handful of Kathmandu’s located at outlets near airports. Outlet shopping can be tricky with the amount of product available, but the prices are generally amazing for last seasons styles and products. Kathmandu also carries other brands of hiking shoes, such as Keen. It’s a great outdoor camping store, with so many necessities that other stores may not have.
Kathmandu is mostly focused on outdoor and active wear clothing, and gear for back country camping and travelling. There’s plenty of long hikes in Australia, so this store is great to check out.
Used – Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace
Searching for new gear on a budget can be complicated. Buying used quality gear is always a great place to start, especially if you’re only temporary in Australia. Across Australia, Facebook Marketplace now seems to be the most used resource for used items. Gumtree is older and still has good options, some items will be put on both Gumtree and Marketplace.
While travelling around Australia, it’s definitely advantageous to find used options in different cities. Second-hand goods in regional towns can be great quality, but there may be less competition for people wanting it. Just make sure to take a good look as always and be scam-aware when purchasing used goods.
Interested in hiking more? Check out my experience hiking Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest mountain or through Airlie Beach’s wild rainforest, Hike Queensland: Conway Circuit.
