Going Camping? Great Aussie Inventions to Take with You
I love meeting entrepreneurs and inventors. Their passion for their product and excitement in presenting it to the world to help solve a problem, I find contagious and an inspiration to be around. In the past year I have spent a lot of time on the road travelling to camping & caravan shows around Australia to exhibit my own brand of collapsible kitchenware and have been fortunate and honoured to meet a few inventors. I wanted to help share their awesome inventions.
1) Bernie - CapHat™
The CapHat™ is a unique attachment you simply pull on over your favourite CAP to protect your ears, neck and nose from the sun. Made from UPF45 material it recently was voted ‘Best Clothing Accessory,2015’ by the Australian Fishing Trade Association...and…has just been announced, a finalist in the 2016 Edison Awards and will be awarded with either Bronze, Silver or Gold on 21 April 2016 in New York!.
“CapHat was born on the Far West Coast of South Australia on a stinking hot Summer’s Day in 2004. I had a hat, but I was still getting sun burnt, so I made the first model from duct tape and paper towel. My wife has recently had a Skin Cancer removed from her nose, so as a family we understand the importance of skin cancer prevention through protection.”
Passionate about supporting Cystic Fibrosis research and Skin Cancer prevention CapHat has been awarded a Seal of Approval from the Melanoma International Foundation and donate 5% of all proceeds to Cystic Fibrosis Research.
Go Bernie & Melissa!
2) Ashley - Scrubba Wash Bag™
The Scrubba™ wash bag is the easiest and most effective way to hand wash clothes when traveling, camping, trekking, hiking, on a cruise, on a business trip or even at home. It too has won many awards including ISPO Munich Awards 2015 and a winner in the 2015 50 Campfires Gear Of The Year Awards.
The idea for the Scrubba wash bag was conceived in 2010 when founder Ash Newland took a 4 month break from his job as a patent attorney in Australia and decided to travel to Africa to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with a mate. "During the planning stages for the trip, we realised that with all our cold weather and camping gear, we would only be able to pack a few changes of casual clothes. This led to the issue of how we were going to wash our clothes every couple of days. After mulling over this issue for a few weeks, I was led to the idea of washboards - they have been around for centuries and they work very efficiently. The downside is that they are bulky and still require a sink or bucket. It was then that I had the revelation that if we could incorporate a highly flexible washboard into a waterproof sealable bag, we could change the way people wash clothes while traveling"
Ashley’s company also donates cash to projects around the world that provide access to clean water to those in need.
3) Tony - Biji-Barbi
A dished BBQ plate that has three fold up legs and a practical, long, fold-up handle. Derived from the Australian plough disc/shear, the Biji-Barbi is ideal for gas burner or open fire cooking. Simply unpack your Biji-Barbi, snap the handle and legs in place and cook up a great meal in the bush, on your deck or at the park. The convenience of using a gas burner means you don't have to forego a great barbi on days when fires are not permitted.
The Biji’s strength is in its simplicity and versatility and comes in 3 sizes.
4) Heather – Sunrocket Solar Kettle
The Sunrocket is a portable solar hot water kettle and thermos designed and patented by Heather Stephens an Aussie mum. It uses the latest in solar thermal technology combining a vacuum tube with reflective panels to concentrate solar energy. It holds 500ml (17 Fl Oz) of liquid and can heat in as little as 30 minutes. Once hot, it can retain heat for hours like a thermos.
The Sunrocket is perfect for home energy saving, camping, travel, emergency preparation or snow sports. Hot water can be used for drinking, washing, cooking or rehydrating foods. The heat treatment can also kill water borne bacteria (pasteurization).
Another great Aussie invention!
5) John - Travel Buddy 12V Portable Oven
The Travel Buddy is a sturdy oven that you can take anywhere and heat a meal while you travel. The stainless steel makes it easy to use and to clean. If your vehicle has a socket for a cigarette lighter, then there is nowhere that the Travel Buddy can't go! The Travel Buddy's heating temperature reaches approximtely 170 degrees celcius+ after the initial warm up. Plus, my collapsible, versatile containers can fit perfectly in it! (as you can see in the image below).
"Approximately 8 years ago a close friend approach us to ask if we could make up something to heat his sausage rolls. He said he had tried all the usual methods such as heating them on the dashboard with the heater, placing them on his engine and putting them on the manifold all while travelling around the High Country. After a few prototypes we eventually finished up with the product you see today. A strong reliable 12 volt oven which will heat or cook your food – without making it smell like diesel!!!"
6) Rod - Eco Billy Instant Camp Kettle
Simply turn the billy upside down, place leaves and twigs into the cone, flip it back upright, fill with the desired amount of water, light the leaves through the holes in the base and in just a few minutes you will have hot water. The Eco Billy is easy to pour—handles stay cool to touch and fold down when not in use, and is lightweight and durable.
Quick, safe, contained, environmentally sound fire, leaving only a small pile of ash.
Comes in two sizes – 1.5 litre or 700ml.
7) Mick & Belinda - Hillbilly Camping Gear
Hillbilly Camping Gear is a range of products conceived and developed by Aussie campers from camping and off-road travelling experiences who seek cookware which is durable, versatile and easy to maintain. Including camp ovens, BBQs, Frypans, Cookstands & more, they are made from uncoated blue steel, to last a lifetime of camping use with minimum maintenance required.
Aren't you just proud of these Aussies? I am and I'll endeavour to continue to add to this list as I meet more Aussie inventors along the road - and visiting caravan and camping shows is a great way to meet them!
Speaking of shows, if happen to be going to the SA Caravan & Camping show this Wed 17th Feb – 21st Feb, 2015, come and say hi – you’ll find me and the Roaming Cooking Collapsible Kitchenware range at the Cara-Rest Supplies and Repairs stand (J3).
Which is your favourite Aussie invention? Please help share this post so more people find out about them.