PLANNING to hit the road over summer? Here are two new books that make the perfect travelling companions.
Ever pitched a tent within a stone's throw of a picturesque waterfall? Or woken up in a sleeping bag to the gentle sound of waves? Or seen the sun go down in the desert or fallen asleep in an ancient rainforest?
Now's the time to tick off these experiences on your camping bucketlist.
In Ultimate Campsites: Australia, writer, journalist and author Penny Watson maps out 75 of the country's most wild and wondrous nature-based campgrounds, from the turquoise and white sandy beaches of Queensland and pristine national parks of NSW, to the wineries of South Australia and the wilderness areas of Tasmania.
Each state-by-state chapter contains detailed maps and the what, when, why, where information about each campground, alongside tips and anecdotes about the surrounding regions.
You'll find sections dedicated to remote-island campgrounds, as well as sites with great walks and places close to Indigenous cultural experiences.
There are also quick and easy lists for camping with pets, free camping, 4WD access and commercial campgrounds, and handy camping trail itineraries for when you want to tick off two or three campgrounds in one trip.
Use this guide to plan your next adventure in the great outdoors - and make sure to pop it in the glovebox to reference along the way.
Ultimate Campsites: Australia (Hardie Grant) RRP $39.99.
THERE'S no excuse for not eating well while you're on the road. Just ask Arno and Mireille Van Elst.
In their new book Road Trip Cooking: The best recipes for your campfire, stove or barbecue, they show you that cooking and eating well is possible any time, anywhere.
All the recipes are simple to prepare and don't require a well-equipped kitchen or well-stocked supermarket nearby.
From salad in a jar to campfire nachos and "apple pie to go", you'll never be short of hearty, tasty meals.
You'll be a happy hour hit with some of the couple's easy peasy sauces and dips, the scrumptious stuffed bread with brie and rosemary, or flower wine.
There are mouthwatering delights like Catalan stew, Road trip risotto, Hearty lentil soup and Quick pasta - and some great kebab suggestions.
Arno and Mireille run their catering business, The Holy Kauw Company, in The Netherlands - but their down-to-earth recipes can keep hunger at bay no matter where in the world you travel.
Road Trip Cooking (Hardie Grant) RRP $29.99.
Both titles available in good bookstores from December 2.