Meet Doron and Stephanie of Homecamp - lovers of nature, outdoor adventures and great design!

Your Bell Tents look so damn good! Tell us about more about the design.

The bell tent design has been around for over 150 years and for good reason – they are a remarkably simple design, easy to set up and you get a lot of space for minimal effort. Being able to stand up in a tent is key and sleeping under canvas instead of plastic is an absolute pleasure.

Yes, we have a fetish for good design. We have put a lot of effort into refining this classic design, adding Homecamp details and ensuring the materials and build are up to the rigours of camping in Australian conditions.

Camping is the best, but even better when your gear is awesome…

Totally true! There’s no harm in your gear looking good as well as being practical!

There’s a huge difference in buying products that are well designed, fit for purpose and will last a lifetime, rather than the current fashion for cheaply manufactured products that are practically disposable.

We want to help people rediscover the joy of being outdoors by equipping them with high quality products that help them along the way. A little comfort encourages a longer stay and more opportunity to experience nature’s magic.

Are you really the outdoors types?!

Ha, yes we are outdoor types in that we both grew up in families that camped regularly and both enjoy getting outdoors. However, you don’t have to be Bear Grylls to enjoy camping and nature. Although we currently live in the city (Melbourne), we make it a priority to get away and disconnect as much as possible.

Saying that, we have been lucky enough to go on some epic camping and hiking trips together – USA National Parks, Kamchatka (in far Eastern Russia), NZ, Arnhem Land and hiking the Larapinta Trail. Doron has just got back from crossing the Simpson Desert in a 4WD. I guess it’s about how you choose to spend your time. We believe the benefits from getting out into nature are powerful, that’s why it’s central to our lifestyle.

Bush or beach? What does your dream camp spot look like?

Tough call. Beach for me, bush for Doron. Now that we have a toddler, I think beach wins as it keeps her occupied for so long. Preferably a combination of both – somewhere like the Otways or Wilsons Prom in Victoria is a great spot for exactly that reason.

Apart from the Bell Tent, what else is in your essential camping kit?

Good friends, delicious food and wine, a quality mattress (we recommend ‘Exped Megamat’ – worth the investment!), an Aeropress for coffees in the morning, comfy camp chairs and a roaring fire.

What did you both do before becoming Homecamp?

I worked for a PR agency for about nine years and before Homecamp, Doron ran an organic food box delivery service and worked for a healthy chocolate company.

Was there a definitive moment when you both realised you had the conviction to step into a new business?

Doron has always been very entrepreneurial with great ideas and a strong conviction to work for himself. For me it was more unexpected and it was actually during an inspiring conference I attended that I decided to just jump in and do it.

Any challenges that have felt too big? How did you overcome them?

Plenty! Running your own business is challenging in many ways. As a start up business, managing cash flow can be tough but something you get better at. Facing up to problems head on and asking for help from people with experience has helped. Also working with your husband/wife has its moments! We’ve tried to overcome this by dividing up our roles as much as possible and taking responsibility for our own areas of the business.

What is the philosophy that drives Homecamp?

Homecamp is all about inspiring people into the outdoors – whether that’s a camping trip or a simple walk in nature. We see camping as something almost anyone can do and it’s a gateway to bigger adventures.

What makes you most proud of Homecamp?

Getting positive feedback from our customers about our products and how they’ve been enjoyed in the outdoors.

How do you want Homecamp to be remembered?

We want to be remembered as a company that stands for good and authentic values, inspires people into the outdoors, and provides high quality and much loved, useful products that keep our customers happy.

What are your top 3 favourite spots to go camping in Australia and what makes them so special?

This is a tough one as we have been fortunate to do some great trips into the red centre and up to the top end. Closer to home would be:

– Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park & North Flinders Ranges (SA) – go for the geology of this sparse semi-arid mountain range, sunsets on dried up-riverbeds with gnarly red gums. A scenic flight round Wilpena Pound, take in Bunyeroo Gorge and a night at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary star gazing at the observatory, and check out the 4WD tracks.

– Wingan Inlet – Croajingalong National Park (VIC) – remote wilderness, wild beaches and even wilder-wildlife (watch out for the enthusiastic Currawong). Take a tinnie or kayak as it’s a great place to mess around on the water.

– Mount Buffalo (VIC) – still one of our favourite places to camp. The drive up the mountain at day break is a beautiful experience. Sunset on the horn. Snow gums, great walks and unique flora to observe. An overnight trip up to Mount McLeod and then on to the peak is a recommended side trip.

What are your most essential can’t-go-without camping luxury items?

I grew up with terrible camping gear, we basically roughed it until in my late teens when I got my first Thermarest which was a game changer. Since then we have graduated to the Exped Megamat which is the best camping mattress we have found. A good night’s sleep makes all the difference to energy levels and enjoyment when camping.

For a non-camper (or an unseasoned camper), what makes a bell tent so good?

Despite being associated with ‘glamping’, a well-made Bell Tent is a practical car-camping tent. Perfect for couples or families, they are straight-forward to set up and you get a lot of room for minimal effort. We recommend looking for bell tents made from tough breathable canvas that will insulate well in cold conditions and remain relatively cool in hot weather. You don’t get that annoying sound of plastic flapping in the wind or condensation with Bell Tents and they are extremely study in harsh conditions. Not to mention that they look great too.

What’s on your camping bucket list?

We have a long camping bucket list that includes USA, Japan and Eastern Europe. However, in the immediate future the next big trip is a family adventure to the South Island of NZ, on the wild West Coast and then further up around Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park. We still haven’t been camping in Tasmania which feels almost a sin, so this will need to be rectified soon.

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Want to win a Homecamp Bell Tent? Check out our giveaway that runs until 30 November 2019.

You can check out the Homecamp website here and have a look at their Instagram here.