Summer is a great time to enjoy being outdoors in national parks but it’s also the season where bushfires most commonly occur.

Here are some tips to help you play it safe while enjoying getting away from it all:

* Choose parks that are more enjoyable from November to March, especially those with water or with plenty of natural shade. If you travel inland, plan for high temperatures and take precautions.

* If you plan to camp at a busy time like the Christmas/New Year festive season or a long weekend do some research and make sure you book early.

* At this time of year, you won’t be able to light a fire. Use your own gas-fuelled barbecue or
camping stoveEmergency WA logo or use one of the many hot plates provided free for visitor
use in campgrounds and picnic areas. Search for picnic areas and campgrounds with gas barbecues in Park Finder online or download the Parkfinder app for free from iTunes.

* Be prepared to modify your plans if the weather is hot and windy. Use the Emergency WA website for access to emergency information and community safety warnings. Be aware that on days of very high to catastrophic fire danger ratings, parks and reserves may be closed.

—This article is originally posted by Touring Western Australia.

Camping in the cooler months is great here in WA. While rainfall does increase in the winter, we enjoy largely acceptable conditions when compared with the likes of Victoria and South Australia who often drown once April finishes.

WA has cold crisp nights punctuated by bright clear days with temperatures averaging between 6 and 10 degrees. Now, we won’t lie, those temps are bloody cold, but not unmanageable. The hardest part is keeping warm during the night, when the body’s temperature drops during sleep. So here are some tips to keep comfortable:

1.Sleeping bags- buy the best you can afford. Sleeping bags use a temperature range to classify them into warmer and colder categories. It’s useful to have two, one for the warmer months, one for the winter. There are also sleeping bag liners available for purchase to upgrade the capabilities of your bag.

2.Clothing- Change into clean clothes before bed, and add layers, while avoiding cotton. Wear socks and a beanie. The majority of heat is lost through the body’s extremities, you’ll be amazed at what a pair of wool socks can do to retain heat.

3.Bed- Try and get up off the ground. A camp stretcher with a yoga mat and your bedding does a great job at helping you retain warmth. The cold ground will effectively leach away any heat you develop while in your bag.

4.Getting warm BEFORE bed- Heat up a hot water bottle. Throw this into bed before you hit the hay. Ensure you use a good quality one to avoid any bed wetting incidents. Eat later in the day, as your body will use this energy as fuel to keep you warm and regulate your body’s temperature. Some people go so far as to eat a high energy snack, but its important not to pig out on a heavy meal, as the body will be trying to digest that instead of warming itself!

5.PEE BREAKS- Avoid too much liquid before bed, we all know how uncomfortable it is having to get out of your nice warm bed!

With these 5 tips, you and the family should be able to brave the winter chill and still be able to explore the sights and experiences WA has to offer in the cooler seasons!

Companion Aqua Cube Logic Lithium Hot Water System

Heading out on your next camping adventure doesn’t mean you have to leave the comforts of life behind. PMX Camper Trailers is now stocking the latest in portable instantaneous hot water systems; the Companion Aqua-Cube Logic Lithium.

Running off an internal rechargeable Lithium Ion battery or 12v power or 240v DC, you aren’t limited in your options. Run time on battery power clocks in at 45-50 minutes per charge, and the system can recharge to full capacity in 5 hours. Alternatively, the system can run continuously and uninterrupted when connect to a 12 volt power source.

Companion have designed the Aqua-Cube Logic Lithium with simplicity in mind, allowing you to run the system on disposable 468g BOM Propane cartridges (available for under $15), providing hours of hot water on the one cartridge. The Aqua-Cube can also be run from a 4.5kg or 9kg gas cylinder with an adapter, allowing even more flexibility. PMX Campers keep both propane cylinders and POL cylinder adapter hoses in stock.

Pumping 2 litres per minute and heating to up to 50°c, cold water is drawn from a clean water source via the included pump, through the Aqua-Cube and out the 2.5m hose with hand piece. Quick-connect fittings make the system a breeze to setup. The easy to read LED display lets you adjust the temperature, check the battery level and turn the pump on and off.

The Companion Aqua-Cube Logic Lithium hot water system is a lightweight at 8kg, comes with its own carry bag and could be yours for under $500. Come and check one out at PMX Camper Trailers today!