Nothing beats the satisfaction of cooking a meal over an open fire after a long day of exploring Australia’s incredible landscapes. Whether you’re watching the sunset at Uluru, camped beside a pristine beach in Western Australia, or settled in for the night at a remote bush camp, campfire cooking connects you to the landscape in a way that gas cooktops simply can’t match.
The right gear makes all the difference between a memorable campfire feast and a frustrating smoke-filled disaster. You’ll need equipment that can handle the heat, withstand the elements, and pack down efficiently for months on the road. From cast iron Dutch ovens that create perfect roasts to lightweight grills that fold flat in your storage box, the options are vast and varied.
This guide covers everything you need to create amazing meals over coals, from basic cooking implements to specialised accessories that’ll have you cooking like a camp chef.
Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
Dutch ovens are the kings of campfire cooking. These heavy-duty pots with tight-fitting lids create an oven-like environment using coals above and below, perfect for roasts, bread, stews, and even desserts. The thermal mass of cast iron provides even heat distribution that’s impossible to achieve with lightweight alternatives.
The 12 inch size handles meals for 4 to 6 people comfortably, while smaller models work well for couples or smaller groups. Look for models with legs that elevate the pot above coals and a flanged lid that holds coals on top. The Campfire Cast Iron Full Chef Kit ~$180 is a solid starting point because it bundles the key pieces together and removes the guesswork from building your kit from scratch.
A 12 inch Dutch oven weighs around 7kg empty. Factor this into your payload calculations, especially if you’re already running close to your vehicle’s limits.
Weight is the main consideration for Big Lappers. A quality 12 inch Dutch oven weighs 6 to 8kg, which adds up quickly when you’re watching payload. However, the versatility makes them worthwhile for extended trips. You can roast whole chickens, bake bread, make stews, and even cook pizza with the right technique.
Portable Camp Grills and BBQs
Grills and portable BBQs give you direct control over cooking temperature and work perfectly for steaks, sausages, vegetables, and fish. The best options balance cooking surface area with packability, and most importantly, they need adjustable height or reliable heat control to manage cooking zones effectively.
~$85
The Campfire Cooking Grill Combo ~$85 is the pick for travellers who want a dedicated campfire grill without spending a fortune. Adjustable height matters more than you might think. High positions work for searing and quick cooking, while lower settings provide gentle heat for larger cuts that need thorough cooking.
If you want the convenience of a proper BBQ at camp, a few portable options are worth considering. The nomadiQ BBQ is one of the most compact portable BBQs on the market, folding down to a slim profile that stores easily in a caravan external compartment. The Weber Go Anywhere BBQ is a proven classic that runs on charcoal and doubles as a campfire cooker, with a lid that locks shut for transport and a porcelain enamelled bowl that retains heat exceptionally well.
For a budget-friendly gas option, the Gasmate Orbitor Portable BBQ offers a compact cooking surface that works well for couples or small groups. It’s not fancy, but it’s reliable and won’t take up much room in your storage box.
Essential Campfire Cookware
Beyond Dutch ovens and grills, you’ll need pots, pans, and utensils designed for open fire cooking. Cast iron skillets, lightweight cooksets, and stainless steel pots each offer different advantages depending on what you’re cooking and how much weight you can carry.
Cast iron skillets excel at searing steaks and cooking anything that benefits from high, even heat. The Pyrolux Pyrocast Cast Iron Skillet ~$85 is pre-seasoned and ready to use straight away. The main drawbacks are weight and the need for careful cleaning and oiling to prevent rust, but it will outlast your caravan if you look after it.
For lighter setups, the Halulite Soloist Cookset ~$65 offers a compact, hard anodised aluminium solution that works well over campfires or gas. It won’t give you the same sear as cast iron, but it’s considerably lighter and easier to manage on the road.
For modular flexibility, the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System ~$280 works over campfires or with gas burners. The interchangeable cooking surfaces include griddles, grills, and pot supports, making it a genuine all-rounder for dedicated camp cooks.
Long-handled utensils are essential for campfire cooking. Your regular kitchen tools won’t keep your hands far enough from the heat.
A good set of camp plates and bowls rounds out your cookware setup. The Sea to Summit 3 Piece Frontier Collapsible Dinnerware Set collapses flat when not in use and takes up almost no space in your storage, which matters a lot over an extended trip.
Tripods and Cooking Stands
Cooking tripods and stands give you precise height control and stable platforms for heavy cookware. They’re particularly useful for Dutch ovens, large pots, and situations where you need to cook multiple items simultaneously over the same fire.
~$165
The Aussie Traveller Cast Iron Tripod ~$165 is built for serious campfire cooking. The adjustable chain system lets you raise or lower cookware with precision, and the cast iron construction handles heavy loads without flexing. It requires storage space, but for regular campfire cooks it’s hard to beat.
~$280
For travellers who want maximum flexibility, the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System ~$280 works over campfires, gas burners, or standalone. The interchangeable cooking surfaces include griddles, grills, and pot supports, though the complexity and cost suit dedicated camp cooks rather than occasional fire users.
Fire Management Tools
Managing coals and maintaining proper cooking temperatures requires the right tools. Long-handled implements keep you safe from heat and flames, while coal rakes and grabbers give you precise control over your cooking environment.
The Weber 3 Piece Tool Set ~$45 covers the cooking side, while a dedicated foldable grabber and poker ~$35 handles the fire management side. Having both means you’re not using your cooking tongs to move burning logs around.
Heat resistant gloves protect your hands when working close to fires. The BLAZE Heat Resistant BBQ Gloves handle high temperatures and allow enough finger movement for detailed work around the fire. Much more practical than oven mitts when you need to grab a hot Dutch oven lid or reposition cookware.
The TurboJet Pro is worth a mention here too. It’s primarily a fire starter, but it works equally well for getting BBQs and campfires lit quickly and can be used for various tasks around camp. If you’re tired of fussing with fire lighters and kindling, it’s a genuinely useful tool to have in the kit.
Always check fire restrictions before lighting campfires. Many national parks and councils impose total fire bans during high risk periods, and penalties for violations can exceed $10,000.
Cooking Accessories
The right accessories transform basic campfire cooking into proper outdoor dining. From jaffle irons that turn leftover ingredients into a satisfying meal to percolators that brew real coffee over the coals, these extras add variety and practicality to your campfire kitchen.
~$45
The Campfire Jumbo Jaffle Iron Double ~$45 is one of those pieces of gear that sounds simple but gets used constantly on extended trips. It handles two jaffles at once and the jumbo size fits decent fillings rather than the thin slices you get from cheaper irons.
~$40
The Campfire Coffee Percolator 6 Cup ~$40 brews proper coffee over coals or gas and is one of the most reached-for items in a well-equipped camp kitchen. The Campfire Popcorn Pan is another crowd-pleaser, especially useful if you’re travelling with kids or want a simple campfire snack at the end of the day.
A good chopping board is easy to overlook until you don’t have one. The Bamboo Chopping Board is reversible and doubles as a serving board for cheese or charcuterie. Pair it with the Gerber Ultimate Survival Knife, which handles camp food prep as well as it handles everything else you’ll throw at it on a big lap.
Keeping your camp kitchen organised also comes down to storage. The Sistema Klip It Plus Rectangle Set is a practical set of food storage containers that stack neatly and seal tightly. For keeping ingredients and drinks cold, the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler is one of the best soft coolers on the market, with insulation that holds ice for days rather than hours.
~$15
Cleaning cast iron properly matters for keeping it in good condition. The Campfire Scraper Set 2 Pack ~$15 removes food residue without stripping the seasoning you’ve built up over months of cooking. The Sea to Summit Pocket Soap handles general cleanup around camp, including dishes, without needing a full bottle of detergent taking up space in your kitchen box.
Safety Equipment
Campfire cooking involves open flames, hot surfaces, and potentially dangerous situations. Proper safety equipment protects you from burns, controls fire spread, and ensures you can handle emergencies confidently.
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