Sitting back and enjoying a camp-cooked meal may be one of the most satisfying aspects of camping. The restrictions of cooking in the Great Outdoors may be frustrating when you are used to a fully-equipped kitchen at home, but there is something special about eating hearty food off a plastic plate while out in the wilderness.

Ensuring you have the correct camping equipment is the key to making your camping trip run smoothly. Pack the essentials, such as a suitable tent, warm sleeping bags and a fuel stove. Camp-cooking requires sturdy pans, utensils and dishes, and if possible, bring along an esky or fridge. Make sure you are well-stocked with energy rich food, such as pasta, beans and tuna, and don't forget the insect repellant, rope and a utility knife.

It's hard to go wrong when you have the correct camping equipment. However, some people are put off camping by the food that is generally eaten. Meals when camping doesn’t actually have to consist of packet mashed potatoes and corned beef. If you are creative, you'll find there is quite a lot you can do with one pan and a bit of determination.

If you are camping in the bush and you want to channel your inner-cowboy, why not try Cowboy Casserole. Fry up some diced onion in a pan, remove and set to the side. Next fry sausages and bacon, remove and set to the side. Fry up some tinned potatoes (depending on how 'cowboy' you are, you may want to use real potatoes), cut up the sausages and bacon and add to the pan with a couple of tins of baked beans. To test your mettle, try it with paprika and chilli peppers.

Another quick and easy option when camping is Sausage Curry. Add chopped sausages and onion to a pan, when cooked; add some of your preferred vegetables, such as peas, sweet corn or mushrooms. Stir in a big tin of soup and enough curry powder to suit your taste and leave to simmer. When it's ready, add a packet of microwave rice and stir through for a few minutes.

If you only have one pan then why not try Beef and Noodle Stew. Brown 500g beef mince, then add onion and garlic and cook until soft. Add a tin of chopped tomatoes, a tin of peas or carrots, stock cube, and about 250ml water, bring to boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Add dried noodles and a tin of baked beans then bring to the boil again and simmer for five minutes. Just remember to keep stirring the noodles or they may stick.

Camping doesn't need to mean you let your culinary standards slip. Enjoy a satisfying meal and then it's time to get the kids in their sleeping bags and you can relax under the stars, chat with your neighbours and keep warm with some hot chocolate or a glass of wine.

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Fraser Island 

Often described as one of Australia's most beautiful islands, Fraser Island offers a diverse combination of white sandy beaches, freshwater lakes, rainforest, mangroves and sand dunes. Visitors can swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie; take a bubbly dip in the Champagne Pools; explore Indian Head and the Maheno Wreck, or take one of the many fascinating hikes around the island.

Camping allows you the best access to the island and its many activities, such as hiking and some of the top beach fishing in the world. Beach camping is recommended for those want to get away from the tourists, but ensure you bring adequate camping equipment and outdoor supplies from the mainland as they may not be available on the island. Handy items to take would include a gas-stove, insect repellant, and an esky that closes securely, or you may discover when you wake in the morning that dingos have stolen your breakfast.

Cape Tribulation

There are not many places in the world where you are able to camp on the beach while you are still in tropical rainforest. Cape Tribulation offers visitors not only white sandy beaches and rainforest, but the opportunity to explore the Great Barrier Reef, freshwater lakes, rugged mountain peaks, dramatic waterfalls, and unusual wildlife.

When camping in the area, ensure you are equipped with all suitable outdoor supplies. Even if you want to get close to nature, you may not want to be bitten by it. Long-sleeved clothes, waterproofs and plenty of insect repellant is a must in the rainforest, and if you are camping during the wet season, make sure your camping equipment can handle the weather.

El Questro

Nature-lovers will find much to discover while exploring the vast million acres of El Questro in the Kimberly. Hikes and walking trails wind through gorges and along waterways, leading to thermal springs and waterfalls. Circumnavigate the Mount Cockburn ranges and see cattle herds, wetlands and grassy plains. Take a boat cruise on Lake Argyle, horse trek over rocky, uncharted terrain, or take a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles and the Argyle diamond mine.

Campers can choose to bed down in Black Cockatoo beside other travellers and handy amenities, but for the true feel of the outback, there are private camp sites along the Pentecost River which are secluded from other campers. Camping equipment suitable for the tropical climate and sleeping bags for cooler nights are essential. There is no camp kitchen at El Questro, so bring outdoor supplies and a gas stove to sizzle the snags.

Esperance

While many people visit Esperance for its spectacular turquoise waters and pristine sandy beaches, much more lies beneath the surface. Surrounded by four National Parks, visitors can discover thousands of waterbirds congregating in Lake Warden Wetlands, Pink Lake coloured by saltwater algae, ancient granite peaks, and wildflower and bird sanctuaries. A 4WDrive to Cape Arid National Park uncovers a huge range of wildlife, including rare birds such as the Australasian bittern, western ground parrot, Carnaby's black cockatoo and hooded plover.

One of the best spots to camp near Esperance is Lucky Bay, which has some great coastal walks and is a perfect spot for swimming or to launch the boat and fish. Toilets, picnic areas and solar-heated showers are available to those camping at Lucky Bay. Part of the archipelago, Woody Island is also a fantastic place to camp to get closer to nature, but with fewer amenities, ensure you pack camping equipment to suit the conditions during your stay.

Coles Bay

If you enjoy making the most of what the ocean has to offer, then Coles Bay is the place to be. Situated in Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay is a mecca for watersports on Tasmania's east coast. Enjoy surfing at Friendly Beach, boogie boarding and wind-surfing at Muirs Beach, and swimming, diving and snorkeling at Honeymoon Bay. Take out a jet-ski or kick back and some try of the area's best fishing spots.

There are many National Park campsites, but you may choose to stay in one of the free camping areas. Facilities are few and far between, so it's a good idea to come prepared with a suitable sleeping bag and all necessary camping equipment to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

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