Gift Ideas for People Who Actually Get Outdoors
Buying for someone who would rather be at a campsite, on a track, in the van or out on the water? Start here. Every guide below is put together by our team of 4x4, camping, caravan, marine and fishing enthusiasts who use this gear themselves, so what you will find is kit that earns its space, not novelty stuff that ends up in a drawer.
The guides are split by what they are into, from camping and caravan gifts through to 4WD and fishing, along with seasonal picks for Father's Day and Christmas. Each one covers the full range, from small stocking fillers up to the piece they would never buy themselves.
Buy them something they will still be using next season.
Not sure what to get them?
An Outback Equipment gift voucher lets them pick the exact model, size and fitment themselves. Delivered by email, so it still works if you have left it late.
Buy a Gift VoucherRead this before you buy
If you are buying something technical and you are not the one who will use it, these will save you a return.
For the camper
For the caravanner
For the 4WDer
Gift ideas, answered
What do you buy someone who loves camping?
Start with what wears out or never gets replaced. Camp chairs, lanterns and insulated drinkware are the three that people use every single trip and rarely upgrade themselves, which makes them the safest gifts on the list. For something smaller, a head torch or a collapsible mug does the job.
What are the best gifts under $50?
Under $50 is the sweet spot for gear that gets used constantly but nobody bothers buying for themselves. Head torches, multi-tools, collapsible buckets, inline water filters, tyre deflators, tackle boxes and insulated mugs all land in that band, and they work as a standalone gift or alongside something bigger.
What do you get someone who already has all the gear?
Go for the consumables and the upgrades they keep putting off. Water filters, replacement cookware, storage bags and cleaning kits all get used up or worn out. The other reliable angle is convenience gear, like the second set of levelling ramps or the quick-connect deflators. It is rarely the thing they would buy themselves, which is exactly why it works.
What are good gifts for grey nomads and caravan owners?
Anything that shortens the setup and pack-down. Levelling ramps and wheel chocks, an annex mat, a water level indicator, an inline water filter or a portable step are the ones caravanners actually thank you for. They are unglamorous, but they get used at every single stop.
What are the best gifts for someone who loves outdoor entertaining?
A portable BBQ or a two-burner stove is the centrepiece gift, and there are accessory sets, grill plates and carry pouches that work well if they already own the cooker. Beyond the cooking side, a good camp table, a set of quality cookware or a rechargeable lantern for after dark all pull their weight when there is a crowd to feed.
What should I buy Dad for Father's Day or Christmas?
If he camps, tours, drives or fishes, work backwards from the activity rather than the occasion. The guides above are sorted that way for exactly this reason. If you genuinely cannot pick, a gift voucher means he chooses the right size, model and fitment himself, which matters more with gear than it does with most gifts.
