Australia offers some of the world's most spectacular camping destinations, from the red heart of the Outback to lush coastal national parks and rugged alpine wilderness. But even when escaping civilisation, most of us rely on electronic devices for navigation, safety communication, photography, and yes, sometimes entertainment after a long day on the trail.
Keeping your devices charged in the bush presents unique challenges. You're far from power outlets, dealing with temperature extremes, dust, and potentially wet conditions. This guide covers everything you need to know about portable power solutions for Australian camping adventures.
Assessing Your Power Needs
Before investing in camping power equipment, honestly assess what you need to keep charged and for how long. Different camping styles have vastly different power requirements.
Day Hikers and Weekend Campers
For short trips of one to three days, a single high-capacity power bank (20,000-26,800mAh) usually suffices. You'll primarily need to keep your smartphone charged for navigation, photos, and emergency communication. A fully charged power bank of this size provides four to six smartphone charges, more than enough for a weekend adventure.
Extended Backcountry Trips
Week-long or multi-week trips require more sophisticated planning. You'll either need multiple power banks, a solar charging solution, or both. Calculate your daily power consumption in milliamp hours, then add a 30% buffer for efficiency losses and cloudy days if relying on solar.
Car Camping and 4WD Touring
When weight isn't a constraint, larger power stations become viable. These can power not just phones and cameras but also laptops, LED lighting, portable fridges, and CPAP machines. Your vehicle's alternator can recharge the power station while driving between camps.
- Smartphone (moderate use): 3,000-4,000mAh per day
- GPS device: 2,000-3,000mAh per day
- Camera batteries (mirrorless): 2,000-3,000mAh each
- Tablet/iPad: 8,000-10,000mAh per day
- Headlamp (USB rechargeable): 500-1,500mAh
Rugged Power Banks: Built for the Bush
Standard power banks aren't designed for harsh outdoor conditions. For serious camping, look for rugged power banks with specific protective features.
IP Ratings Explained
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings tell you how well a device resists dust and water. The rating consists of two numbers: the first indicates dust protection (0-6), and the second indicates water protection (0-8).
For Australian camping, look for at least IP65 (dust-tight, protected against water jets) or preferably IP67 (dust-tight, protected against temporary immersion). These ratings mean your power bank can handle rainstorms, creek crossings, and the inevitable red dust that gets into everything in the Outback.
Drop Protection
Rugged power banks typically include rubberised exteriors and internal shock mounting that allow them to survive drops onto rocks and hard ground. Look for drop ratings of at least 1.2 metres onto concrete. Power banks designed for outdoor use often include carabiner loops or lanyards for secure attachment to packs.
Temperature Performance
Standard lithium batteries don't like temperature extremes. Some rugged power banks include wider operating temperature ranges and thermal management systems that maintain performance in Australian summers or alpine winters. Check the specifications for operating temperature limits.
In extreme heat, keep your power bank in an insulated cooler bag (without ice) or buried under clothing in your pack. In cold weather, sleep with it in your sleeping bag to keep it warm and efficient.
Solar Power Banks: Harnessing the Australian Sun
Australia enjoys abundant sunshine, making solar-equipped power banks an attractive option for extended trips. However, the reality of solar power banks is more nuanced than marketing materials suggest.
Built-In vs External Solar Panels
Power banks with small built-in solar panels are convenient but largely impractical for meaningful charging. The typical 1-2W panel on these units might add 5-10% battery capacity over a full day of direct sunlight. They're useful for emergency trickle charging but shouldn't be relied upon as a primary charging method.
Separate folding solar panels paired with a standard power bank offer much better performance. Panels in the 20-28W range can realistically charge a 10,000mAh power bank in 4-6 hours of good sunlight. This setup is bulkier but dramatically more effective.
Realistic Solar Expectations
Solar charging depends on many variables. Cloud cover, panel angle, shading from trees, dust on panels, and temperature all affect output. In practice, expect to achieve 50-70% of a panel's rated output under typical conditions. On overcast days, this drops to 10-20%.
For Australia's tropical north during the wet season, solar can be unreliable. In the desert, abundant sun makes solar highly effective. In alpine regions, shorter winter days and snow reflection require different strategies.
Optimising Solar Charging
To maximise solar charging efficiency:
- Position panels perpendicular to direct sunlight
- Move panels throughout the day to track the sun
- Keep panels clean and free of dust
- Charge during peak sun hours (10am-2pm)
- Don't let the power bank overheat in direct sun
Portable Power Stations: The Heavy Hitters
For car camping, caravanning, or 4WD touring, portable power stations offer capabilities far beyond simple power banks. These are essentially large lithium battery packs with built-in inverters, allowing them to power standard AC appliances.
Capacity and Output
Power stations are rated in watt-hours (Wh) rather than mAh. Common sizes range from 200Wh for small units up to 2,000Wh or more for premium models. A 500Wh station can run a 50W laptop for about 10 hours or a small 12V fridge for an extended period.
Beyond capacity, check the continuous and peak AC output wattage. A station might have 500Wh capacity but only a 200W inverter, limiting what appliances it can run. Match the inverter capacity to your highest-draw device.
Recharging Options
Versatile power stations accept multiple charging inputs. Look for units that can charge from:
- Standard AC wall outlets
- 12V car outlets (cigarette lighter)
- Solar panels (with appropriate voltage handling)
- Anderson plugs for direct vehicle battery connection
Car charging is particularly valuable for touring. Running your vehicle for an hour while cooking breakfast can substantially recharge a power station, giving you power for another night of lighting and device charging.
If you use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, you can still camp with a suitable power station. Most CPAP machines draw 30-60W, so a 500Wh station provides 8-16 hours of use. Factor this into your camping power planning.
Managing Power in the Field
Conservation Strategies
The best way to extend your power supply is to use less of it. Simple strategies include:
- Enable airplane mode when you don't need connectivity
- Reduce screen brightness to minimum comfortable levels
- Turn off GPS tracking when not actively navigating
- Download maps offline before your trip
- Use dedicated GPS devices instead of phones for navigation (they're more power-efficient)
- Carry a paper map as backup to reduce GPS dependence
Prioritising Devices
When power is limited, prioritise devices by importance. Safety communication devices come first, followed by navigation tools, then convenience items like cameras and tablets. It's fine to let your Kindle die, but keeping your satellite communicator charged could save your life.
Rotation Charging
Rather than running everything to empty before charging, keep critical devices topped up with regular small charges. This ensures you always have communication capability if something goes wrong. Charge devices during the day when solar is available, not at night when you're drawing down battery reserves.
Recommended Setups by Trip Type
Weekend Bushwalk
One rugged 20,000mAh power bank provides ample phone power for navigation and emergency communication. Keep it in a waterproof bag in an accessible pocket. Charge phone each evening to maintain a full battery for the next day.
Week-Long Hiking Trip
Carry a 20,000mAh power bank plus a 21-28W folding solar panel. Attach the solar panel to your pack while hiking, charging the power bank as you walk. In good conditions, this provides indefinite power for phones and small devices.
Extended 4WD Touring
A 500-1,000Wh power station covers evening lighting, laptop use, and small appliance charging. Supplement with 100W+ solar panels for camp power or recharge from your vehicle while driving. This setup can sustain camp power indefinitely.
With proper planning and the right equipment, staying powered up in the Australian bush is straightforward. Assess your needs honestly, choose appropriate gear, and always carry backup options for critical communication devices. Check our product recommendations for rugged power banks and power stations suited to Australian conditions.