Who doesn’t love spending time in the great outdoors? Here are some expert people dedicated to making sure it’s always a safe and comfortable experience. 

“Adventure should be 80 per cent ‘I think this is manageable’, but it’s good to have that last 20 per cent where you’re right outside your comfort zone. Still safe, but outside your comfort zone,” says adventurer Bear Grylls, pictured.

Not all camping experiences need to be outside your comfort zone with industry professionals organising everything from towing a caravan safely, to solar-powering the campsite and enjoying outdoor heating.

Advertisers in this feature will be exhibiting at the Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo at Exhibition Park, October 25-27. They are businesses who are ready to get the community outside, on the road and enjoying themselves by taking the stress out of planning a camping trip.

One major caravan chain lists six reasons why camping is good for the body and soul: It’s good for problem solving abilities, enhances children’s education, assists sleeping, increases vitamin D intake, encourages increased exercise and makes you all around happier.

With winter in the rearview mirror, Canberra locals are now set to hit the dirt ahead of peak camping season.

Weighing up a safe caravaning experience

“Eighty per cent of people are towing over their vehicle’s capacity,” says co-owner of Capital Vehicle Weighing Rowena Hand.

Rowena says they offer customers detailed feedback on how heavy their caravans are and how much weight the vehicles towing it can take.

Rowena says 80 per cent of the vehicles they see are over-towing their loads.

With husband Brett, they have been running the business for three years.

“We commonly see a poor understanding of weight and brake capacity,” says Rowena.

“Particularly in newer caravan drivers, we see a lack of understanding about brake compliance.

“Our services usually take an hour and we use specialised equipment to give our clients a detailed vehicle assessment.

“We can usually help 50 per cent of vehicles to redistribute their weight on the day.”

Rowena and Brett are both keen caravaners themselves.

“We love talking to the caravaners about their experiences,” says Rowena.

“We can share our expertise and give them little tips and tricks, and they give some back!”

“The demand for vehicle weight compliance is growing with increasing interest in caravaning,” she says.

“Families are embracing the opportunity to travel with young children.

“It’s important that they are complying with vehicle standards to ensure they have a safe trip.”

Capital Vehicle Weighing Canberra. Call 0458 535834 or visit capitalvehicleweighing.com.au

Jarrod helps camper’s with the best set up

“We are focused on delivering easy-use solutions to the community without overselling or overcomplicating their set-up,” says JT Electrical Group owner Jarrod Twig.

With seven years of experience, Jarrod has been fitting vehicles and camping utilities with off-grid batteries and solar panels.

Jarrod says his team takes pride in their work, making sure not to rush things.

“No problem is too big or small,” he says.

Jarrod accidentally fell into electrical fittings after doing up his own car for a camping kit out. Word quickly spread, with Jarrod saying he was working almost full time on the weekends to keep up with friends and family demands to replicate his work.

Earning his qualifications, Jarrod set up his own company five years ago.

“I’m very lucky to have found something that I love doing,” he says.

“Not many people can say that.”

Jarrod’s team specialises in working on trucks, cars, campers, boats and more, priding themselves on working with leading industry partners. Product quality is something that Jarrod says cannot be compromised on.

“We only use products from brands and companies that we know, trust and have used before,” he says.

“We are always striving to be reliable and make things easier for our customers to use.”

JT Electrical Group NSW. Call 0413 441 427 or visit jtelectricalgroupnsw.com.au

Andrew and Liz love an alfresco fireplace

Aussie Heatwave Fireplaces were the first to introduce Australians to the joy of outdoor fireplaces with ceramic Mexican chimineas over 20 years ago, says co-owner Liz Fenton.

Husband-and-wife team, Andrew and Liz have built their business on ceramic Chimineas. They have since developed and manufactured an Aussie Heatwave Chiminea.

“Our chimineas are made in rural Victoria from the best quality cast iron,” says Liz.

“The Aussie Heatwave is a premium-quality, single piece casting with no joins, welds, moving parts or air vents.”

According to Andrew, the key to a quality outdoor fire comes down to its make.

“The real benefits are that they radiate much more heat over a wider area, are virtually indestructible and will last a lifetime and beyond. They are totally pyromaniac proof,” he says.

“They look visually stunning in any outdoor setting and are the only chiminea that’s designed for safe use on timber decks. The quality is unsurpassed.”

Liz and Andrew have been in the business since 1999 and say they are proud to have developed a product that will last generations.

“We love wood-fired cooking and heating. There’s nothing better than the cosy, relaxing atmosphere of a fire and the social interaction that it creates,” says Liz.

“It’s a product that brings instant gratification and happiness. It’s easing back to basics in our fast-paced, high-tech world.”

Aussie Heatwave Chiminea. Call 1800 331336 or visit aussieheatwave.com.au