There’s no doubt about it – Aussies love to get out into the great outdoors. In fact, according to stats from Tourism Research Australia, more of us are enjoying it than ever before.
In the year to March 2018, a total of 51.3 million nights were spent on caravan and camping trips across the country. That’s a 3.5% increase on the previous year and a trend that doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon.
And why would it? There’s so much to love about the freedom, relaxation and simplicity (not to mention the cost-effectiveness) that comes with a nature-based getaway. But there’s also a downside: opportunitistic thieves who take advantage of the casual, communal vibe.
While camping and caravanning in Australia is generally very safe, items have been known to go missing from in and around tents and vans. So to help keep your site secure and make your break as comfortable and stress-free as possible, take a look at the following ideas we’ve put together.
Use the car for storage
Either at night or when you go for a wander, lock any gear of value in the car, and cover it so no one can peer in through the windows. Just don’t forget to take your car keys with you, or keep them in a secret spot (ideally not hanging neatly on a hook inside your tent).
Keep it under lock and key
For those items that are too big and bulky to fit in the car, such as camp fridges and BBQs, consider getting a decent lock to keep them secure. There is a range of high-tech options available, some with alarms, creating a great deterrent for would-be campsite crims.
Don’t spread out too far
Keeping track of your items is much easier when you have a compact campsite. While it’s tempting to spread out and make the most of the wide open space, it may mean you forget to secure some of your gear, which may in turn means it becomes an easy target for thieves.
Get to know the neighbours
At most campgrounds there’s usually a good communal atmosphere, where everyone looks out for one another. But it doesn’t hurt to say hello and have a quick chat with your fellow campers. The better you know each other, the more likely you are to keep a closer eye on each other’s gear.
Check your insurance policy
It’s also worth seeing if your valuables are covered by insurance when you’re not at home. That way, if any items do go missing, you may be able to replace them. Youi provides Accidental Loss or Damage as an optional cover under contents insurance – take a look or give us a call to see if it’s right for you.
All it takes is a few simple steps to keep your site secure, so you can make sure your next camping or caravanning trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
