📍What To Take To North West Island: Self-Sufficient Camping On The Unforgettable GBR Coral Cay. (2025.)

HEADING TO NORTH WEST ISLAND AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT GEAR TO TAKE FROM THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE TIME?
Stretching over 348,700 km² along Queensland’s breathtaking coastline, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest and unequivocally astounding places on the planet. Scattered throughout this vast blue realm that stretches the monumental distance of 2,300km from continental Australia’s northernmost tip at Cape York down to Bundaberg, the country’s rum capital, lie many gorgeous paradisical islands that are surrounded by mesmerisingly azure blue lagoons and spectacular reef edges, each offering their own unique slice of unmatched slice of an idyllic paradise.
There are the world-renowned eco-resorts like Hamilton and Heron, but then on the complete opposite end of the spectrum are the pristine wildernesses islands, and that’s where North West comes in. Confusingly located 77 north-EAST of Gladstone, one of the GBR’s southernmost gateways, lies the biosphere’s second largest coral cay: a magnificent destination so spectacularly abundant with wildlife both above and below the water that it makes you feel like you’re in an entire National Geographic docu-series!
And with it flying under the tourist radar and the only thing on there a rustic campground, it is perfect for remote, authentic self-sufficient adventures snorkelling and diving in the planet’s most outstanding marine environment. But what should you take to this unforgettable island in the middle of the Coral Sea that had me encountering 400 sea turtles, 200 turtles, several sharks, thousands of fish and just as many birds? Well, here’s my list of what I took to North West Island from my 10-day trip along with a few other things that may be of interest.
Camp Site.
- Tent.
- Tent Poles.
- Sleeping Bag & Sleeping Bag Liner.
- Mat/Stretcher.
- Camping Pillow.
- Tarp or Gazebo. – One of the most essential, because the significant amount of the prolific bird life on the island lives in the trees and their shits reign down like a military carpet bombing exercise.
- Poles.
- Ensuite & Portable Shower.
- Hammock.
- Hammer/Mallet.
- Table.
- Chairs.
- Picnic Blanket.
- Bucket.
- Wireless Fan.
- Headlamp or Lantern.
- Extra Pegs & Peg Remover.
- Additional Guy Ropes.
Cooking Equipment.
- Camping Stove and Fuel.
- Camping Stove Windshield.
- Matches/ Lighters.
- Cookware.
- Pots.
- Pans.
- Cooking Utensils.
- Cleaning Equipment such as scourers and detergent.
- Plates/ Bowls.
- Cutlery.
- Thermal Cups/Flasks/Water Bottle.
- Water Containers.
- You can get a 200L water barrel from Curtis Ferry Services, which is super handy for washing and showering. It is also drinkable but not filtered. However, I also took my own 12L water can purely for consumption, and it was more than enough.
- Automatic Portable Tap. – This was top-tier handy!
- Alternatively, you can also take a manual pump too.
- Cooler/Fridge.
- Food.
- consider buying pre-made shelf food that doesn’t require refrigeration or much effort to put together. This makes things so much easier!
- Fresh vegan food and many fruits and vegetables are especially great because they last much longer before going bad even without refrigeration.
- Snacks. (Especially Marshmallows!)
- Drinks. – Water, Tea & Coffee.
- Hand Wash & Hand Sanitizer.
Note: If travelling for a few days or more without a fridge or a cooler, consider buying pre-made shelf food that doesn’t require refrigeration or much effort to put together. This makes things so much easier!
Clothing.
- Hat.
- Lightweight, breathable and quick-drying shirts and pants.
- Bras and underwear.
- Raincoat.
- One light jacket – For when it gets cold.
- Thongs.
- Water Shoes. – Excellent for the hot coral beaches, and reef walking.
Other Clothes Related Items.
- Packing Cells.
- Shoe Bags.
- Clothes Line.
- Laundry Bag.
Toiletries & Skincare.
- Lip Balm.
- Hairbrush.
- Hair Ties/ Clip.
- Deodorant.
- Toothbrush.
- Toothpaste.
- Pads/Liners.
- Tweezers
- Toilet Paper. – The toilets were super stocked but just in case as sometimes there’s many people camping at one time.
- Sunscreen.
- Insect Repellent. – Not really necessary.
Medical & Safety.
- GPS with SOS function.
- Medication.
- First Aid Kit. – The most likely injury is coral cuts.
- Headache Tablets.
Snorkelling & Swimming.
- Snorkel & Flippers. – If you wear glasses or don’t want to use your contacts, invest in getting a prescription snorkel mask online. They make the experience infinitely better!
- Wetsuit. – Especially during stinger season. Plus, for keeping warm when exploring the reef edge.
- Gloves & Socks/ Water Shoes.
- Head Mask.
- Swimmers.
Paddling.
- Kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard.
- Paddle & attachment.
- Attachments.
- Dry Bag. – Great for various uses.
Devices.
- Phone.
- Camera.
- Underwater Camera like a Go Pro & accessories, incl. an extension stick for filming.
- All charging cables and batteries.
- Portable solar panel – Excellent for charging USB-powered devices.
Other.
- Waterproof Case.
- Silica Gels – These free things that are in packaged food to keep them from getting moist are a godsend if you get anything wet, especially electronics. Put the item in a resealable bag for a few hours or even days if it falls in. If it goes into the ocean, it may not work because of the salt, but to give it the best chance rinse it well with fresh water as soon as you can.
- Headache Tablets.
- Spray Bottle. – Filled with water, having this is great for keeping the stickiness of the seawater off your skin. Shoutout to the lovely woman I met on the island for telling me about this!
Conclusion: Gear To Take To North West Island.
From stinger-proof wetsuits to portable solar panels that keep your gadgets charged, and even an automatic water dispenser for extra convenience, these items can really elevate your trip. Plus, don’t underestimate the importance of a solid tarp and shelter setup to protect you from those unexpected nature surprises. They’re all great additions to your self-sufficient camping gear for North West Island.