There’s something magical about camping/caravanning. Waking up to the birds chirping instead of alarms, cooking under the stars, and soaking in that fresh air (without a Wi-Fi signal in sight). We went on a 4-month caravanning trip around Tassie in 2022 and it was so good to get back to nature and learn to switch off from the digital world.

Whether you’re pitching a tent under the gum trees or towing your caravan to the beach, camping brings us back to basics—and that includes what we eat.

But let’s be real for a sec: camping is also prime time for quick, packaged foods packed with additives. From those “convenient” meal kits to flavoured snacks and dodgy sausages, it can feel like you have to trade health for convenience. Spoiler alert: you don’t!

We’re here to prove that you can go bush and stay additive-free without losing your sanity or living off lettuce and rice cakes. So let’s get you prepped, packed, and ready to roll with this ultimate additive-free camping checklist.

🎒 PREP LIKE A PRO: BEFORE YOU GO

Camping success? It’s all in the prep. Here’s what you can do ahead of time so you’re not stuck rummaging through a half-melted esky looking for “something edible”.

✅ Pre-Trip Prep Checklist:

  • Plan your meals: Trust us—winging it ends in soggy crackers and a dodgy servo pie. Use our Everyday Additive-Free Camping Edition cookbook to map out brekkies, lunches, dinners, snacks and sweet treats.

  • Pre-chop and freeze: Dice onions, marinate meat (with additive-free sauces), and portion out veggies. Freeze it all—these will help keep your esky cold, too.

  • Make it ahead: Bake a batch of muffins, bliss balls, or a slice. Pre-cook spaghetti bolognese, soups or taco mince and freeze flat for easy stacking.

  • Label everything: This is especially helpful when you’re rummaging in the dark or if someone else is doing the cooking.

  • Staples to make before home: We have a section in our cookbook Everyday Additive-Free Camping Edition dedicated to this with multiple recipes you can make before you go to save time and ensure you remain additive-free!

🔥 LOW-TOX CAMPFIRE COOKWARE ESSENTIALS

Not all cookware is created equal—especially when you’re dealing with open flames or camp stoves. A lot of camping gear is coated with questionable chemicals (hello, non-stick Teflon), so here’s what we recommend instead:

🪵 Additive-Free Approved Camping Cookware:

  • Cast iron skillet: Built to last a lifetime. Perfect for stews, pancakes, or a good ol’ bacon and egg brekkie (additive-free of course).  We love the Solidteknics range.

  • Cast iron Dutch oven: Cook one-pot meals directly on the fire or hot coals—no nasties, no stress. We love the Solidteknics range.

  • Stainless steel saucepans: Great for boiling water, pasta or soups.

  • Reusable roasting sticks: Skip the plastic-coated ones. Go stainless or bamboo.

  • Resusable food covers and silicone bags: Ditch cling film and zip-locks. For reusable food covers, we love the range from 4MyEarth (use code ADDITIVEFREE for 15% off).

  • Compostable plates and cutlery (or just bring your own reusables): Eco-friendly and safer than those “microwave-safe” plastics that leach nasties when heated.  For reusable, we love the bamboo dinnerware range from Bobo&Boo.

🏕️ TENT CAMPERS VS. CARAVANNERS – ADDITIVE-FREE OPTIONS FOR BOTH

Whether you’re roughing it under canvas or living the van life, staying additive-free is totally doable. Here’s how:

⛺️ Tent Campers:

  • You’ll likely rely more on eskies, so freeze your meals in advance and pack them in order of when you’ll use them.

  • Bring longer-life fresh food like sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, hard cheeses, and apples.

  • Use stackable containers to keep everything organised and minimise rummaging.

  • Don’t forget the gas stove for rainy days (and a backup lighter!).

🚐 Caravanners:

  • You’ve got the luxury of a fridge and more space—use it!

  • Make full use of your caravan kitchen for easy re-heated meals.

  • Store dry goods in jars/containers/zip lock bags to avoid attracting ants and other unwanted guests.

  • Take a mini blender if you’re into smoothies or soups.

🍏 STAYING ADDITIVE-FREE WHILE CAMPING: REAL TALK

Here’s the thing—when you’re out camping, it’s easy to get sucked into “holiday mode” and let your usual standards slip. But you can still enjoy the fun and treat yourself without the fake flavours and dodgy preservatives.

Top Tips:

  • Pack your own snacks: Think homemade trail mix, bliss balls, muesli bars, popcorn, banana chips. We have an abundance of snack recipes in our Everyday Additive-Free Cookbook Range.

  • BYO condiments: Most sauces are loaded with numbers. Take your own tomato sauce, salad dressing, or make a simple vinaigrette at home. Again, refer to the staples to make before you leave home section in Everyday Additive-Free Camping Edition because it covers these and more.

  • Read those labels: Yes, even while camping. Our Additive-Free Lifestyle App makes this super easy—scan and go!

  • Say no to servo stops: Pack enough food for the drive so you’re not tempted by meat pies and additive-laden drinks.

🌱 OTHER HANDY TIPS FOR A HEALTHY CAMPING EXPERIENCE

  • Hydration is key: Pack a good-quality water filter jug or bring enough fresh water for everyone. We love our water filter jugs from Waters Co Australia (use code ADDFREELIFE7 for 7% off).

  • Low-tox bug spray & sunscreen: Your skin’s your biggest organ—let’s not slather it in chemicals. You’ll find our sunscreen recommendations here and our insect repellant recommendations here.

  • Compost your scraps: If you can, take a small compost tub with a lid. Great for the environment, and your conscience.

  • Make it a digital detox: Give your nervous system a break while you’re at it – get out in nature and off devices.

📖 WANT MORE? GRAB OUR EVERYDAY ADDITIVE-FREE CAMPING EDITION COOKBOOK!

We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. Our Everyday Additive-Free Camping Edition is jam-packed with:

  • Easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes

  • Make-ahead ideas and freezer-friendly meals

  • Tips for cooking over the fire

  • Additive-free alternatives for camp food staples

  • Low-tox cleaning recipes that are better for you and the environment

Whether you’re heading off for a long weekend or doing the lap around Oz, this cookbook is your go-to for healthy, no-nasties camping meals the whole family will love. They also make great recipes to cook when away camping or at home. Make this cookbook super versatile!

👉 Grab your copy here and camp the additive-free way!

Much love,
Jo & Tracey x