Essential Cooler Gear for Camping & Road Trips

Introduction

Whether you're camping in the bush, at the beach, or even in your backyard, you'll need an easy and convenient way to keep those cold ones nice and icy.

We've all heard the stories, leaking eskies on your road trip, snags left out in the sun to thaw a little too much, and worst of all, realising you can't fit the whole case of beer in your cooler bag! Today, our aim is to fix these recurring issues and provide you with the best solution to keep everything cool.

1. Cooler Bags vs. Portable Fridges: What’s Best for You?

Before loading up your vehicle, you’ll need to choose between a cooler bag and a portable fridge. Here’s how to decide:

✅ Cooler Bags

• Lightweight and easy to carry
• No power needed, just ice or ice packs
• Great for day trips, beach days, or short overnight stays

✅ Portable Fridges

• Plug into your car’s 12V socket or a portable battery
• No ice required, just set the temp and go
• Ideal for longer trips, remote camping, or keeping perishables fresh

Our tip: For trips longer than two days, a portable fridge offers more control, reliability, and convenience.

2. Best Eskies for Travel

We stock a range of high quality cooler bags designed for all kinds of travel. Here are a few standouts:

Glacio Smart Mobile Cooler Box - Keep both hot and cold, convenient handle, holds up to 13L (30kg)

Insulated Lunch Bag Cooler Tote - Leakproof interior, Portable and convenient, generous 9L perfect for picnics or road trips.

Large Capacity Insulated Cooler Backpack - Spacious Capacity, comfortable to carry on your back, durable and practical for camping.

Look for features like thick insulation, sealed zippers, and easy access compartments for the best performance.

3. Portable Fridges: Power, Capacity, and Convenience

For serious campers and road trip regulars, a portable fridge brings convenience to another level for your travels.

Key benefits:

• Maintains consistent temperature (no melted ice = no mess)
• Some models freeze as well as cool
• Runs on 12V car plugs, AC power, or even solar panels

Today's Top picks we carry:

Gecko 70L Portable Upright Fridge – Heavy-duty yet lightweight design, adjustable glass shelves, great for your caravan or the back of your ute.

Kolner 75L Portable Fridge/Freezer – Stainless Heavy-duty yet lightweight design, adjustable glass shelves, great for your caravan or the back of your ute.

Gecko 70L Portable Upright Fridge – Separate freezer and fridge zones, perfect for motorhomes and caravans.

4. Must-Have Accessories

To make your cold storage setup bulletproof, consider adding these extras:

• Ice Packs - Reusable and mess-free
• Fridge Thermometer - Keep tabs on food safety
• 12V Extension Cable - Reaches awkward sockets in your car
• Solar Charging Kit - Keep your fridge running when off the grid
• Insulated Water Bottles or Drink Coolers - Keep drinks icy outside the cooler

5. Packing Tips for Maximum Cold Retention

Make the most of your cooler space with these tricks:

1. Pre-chill everything before packing, it helps your gear work more efficiently.
2. Layer smartly (p.s. place items you’ll use last at the bottom.)
3. Use frozen water bottles instead of loose ice to reduce leaks and add drinking water later.
4. Limit opening - every peek lets in warm air.
5. Keep your cooler shaded as direct sun heats things up fast.

6. Safety Tips: Keep It Cool & Safe

For food safety, 4°C or below is the magic number. If you're not using a powered fridge, make sure your ice or ice packs can maintain that range for the duration of your trip.

When in doubt, throw it out. No trip is worth sitting on the toilet for hours due to food poisoning.

Conclusion

Having the right cooler gear isn’t just about comfort, it’s about safety, convenience, and making great memories without wasting time. Whether you're going on a hike in the bush or road tripping around the coast, your cold storage setup should be as ready as you are.

Ready to gear up?
👉 [Shop our full range of cooler bags and portable fridges here.]