Camping & making music - what a match!

Packing a guitar on a camping trip is like bringing a tiny campfire of its own. It doesn’t take much: a few familiar chords, a chorus everyone knows, and suddenly the whole campsite feels a little more connected.

Reflections Ambassador Gary Collocott took his guitar to Reflections Corindi Beach to make a little music, and ended up super inspired by the location

Why camping and guitar go together so well

Gary puts it perfectly:

• Having a guitar on hand is the perfect way to relax and play some songs when everyone is hanging around the campsite.
• When I'm surrounded by nature, I feel like my most creative side comes out.
• Being calm and in quiet areas seems to ignite my creativity and inspiration.
• Campfires are another perfect scenario to bring the guitar out and get everyone involved in singing along to some tunes.
• Music connects people; it's something that brings everyone together and lets us all share the moment.

Out here, music feels different, not staged, not performative. It’s just part of the evening, like the kettle going on or someone telling a story that starts with “remember that time when…”. Nature has a way of quieting the noise in your head, and that calm space is exactly where creativity slips in.

Even if you only know a handful of songs, you’ll be surprised how easily they stretch into a night of shared singing, humming, clapping, and laughing around the fire.

Easy songs that always work at Australian campsites

You don’t need a huge repertoire, just a few reliable crowd-pleasers that are simple to strum and easy to sing along to. These ones are campfire gold in Australia:

Aussie favourites

• Home Among the Gum Trees – John Williamson / Bullamakanka
  Instantly familiar, super singable, and made for the outdoors.
• True Blue – John Williamson
  The kind of chorus people join in on even if they haven’t heard it in years.
• Khe Sanh – Cold Chisel
  A classic for that after-dark, by-the-fire vibe. Expect a big chorus moment.
• Flame Trees – Cold Chisel
  Slower, soulful, and perfect when the flames settle and the stars come out.
• Wish You Well – Bernard Fanning
  A modern acoustic staple that fits right into a relaxed campsite mood.

Campfire staples everyone loves

• Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
  If one song can unite a campsite in seconds, it’s this.
• Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show / Darius Rucker
  Same easy progression over and over — which is exactly why it works.
• Wonderwall – Oasis
  Someone will request it. Someone will sing very loudly. It’s a rule.
• I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
  Light, warm, and happy — ideal for late arvo playing.
• Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
  Simple strumming, maximum group participation.

If you want to create a little “campsite set list,” try this flow:

• Sunset / dinner prep: I’m Yours → Wish You Well → Flame Trees
• Campfire peak: Country Roads → True Blue → Khe Sanh → Sweet Caroline

At the campsite, the magic happens naturally.

Looking for more holiday music inspiration? Check out these playlists below:

• Nature beats & accoustic treats
• The Big Aussie Mixer