Getting into a hammock should feel like a reward, not a wrestling match. Hang it well and you get a flat, cradle-like lay that's genuinely better than a tent cot. Hang it badly and you'll spend the night sliding into a banana-shaped pinch with your shoulders squeezed and your feet in the air.

The good news: hanging a hammock properly comes down to a handful of simple principles. Once they click, you'll set up in a couple of minutes anywhere — a campsite in the bush, a couple of gum trees in the backyard, or two solid posts on the deck. This guide walks you through the lot, the way we'd explain it to a mate.

We make gear for campers, travellers and outdoor lovers who actually use it, so everything below is about real-world setup, not theory.

Start with the right hang: the 30-degree strap rule

If you remember one thing from this guide, make it this: your straps should sit at roughly a 30-degree angle from horizontal where they meet the tree.

It feels counter-intuitive. Most people pull the hammock as tight as a drum, thinking a flat, banjo-string hang means a flat lie. The opposite is true. A super-tight hammock squeezes you in from both sides (the dreaded "cocoon"), and it puts huge strain on your straps, your trees and your anchor points.

A relaxed hang with a gentle curve lets the fabric open up underneath you. The 30-degree angle is the sweet spot that gives you that deep, supportive cradle without sagging your backside onto the ground.

Easy ways to judge 30 degrees without a protractor:

• Hold your hand flat with your thumb up and fingers pointing along the strap — that "hang loose" shape is close to 30 degrees.
• Aim for the strap to look like the hands of a clock at about 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock.
• When you sit in the middle, the lowest point of the fabric should sit around chair height — roughly where you'd plonk onto a kitchen stool. That's your "sit height", and it makes getting in and out easy.

Don't stress about being exact. If your hammock looks like a smile (a nice open curve) rather than a tightrope, you're there.

Choosing and anchoring to trees

Pick healthy, solid trees

Your anchor points carry your whole weight every time you move, so they matter more than the hammock itself.

• Choose living, healthy trees that are at least as thick as your thigh. Skip skinny saplings, dead trunks, anything hollow-sounding, and trees with loose or peeling bark.
• Look up before you commit. Avoid "widow-makers" — dead branches overhead that could drop in wind.
• Check the ground underneath. Keep clear of ant nests, roots that'll dig into your back if you roll out, and slopes that funnel water.

Always use tree-friendly straps

This isn't just etiquette — in Australia it's often the rule. Rope, wire, paracord or thin cord bites into bark and can ring-bark and kill a tree over time. Wide webbing straps spread the load and leave the trunk unharmed.

Know the rules before you hang in a national park. Many state and national parks restrict or ban attaching anything to trees, and some prohibit hammocks outside designated areas altogether. Park rules vary by state and even by reserve, so check the managing authority's site (for example your state's national parks service) before you go. When in doubt, use a free-standing option or hang between sturdy posts.

To wrap a strap: loop it around the trunk, feed the tail through the sewn loop (or through the other end), and pull it snug at the height you want. Hook your hammock's carabiner or end loop into the strap loop that gives you the right angle — higher up the tree for a tighter, more relaxed sag.

Spacing: how far apart should the trees be?

You want enough room for a comfortable curve without the trees being so far apart that you have to crank everything tight.

A common, comfortable starting point is trees roughly a few metres apart. Too close together and you can't get a clean hang; too far apart and you'll be forced into a flat, tight, uncomfortable line.

• Anchor height: as a rough guide, attach the straps at about head height or a touch above, then adjust. Wider trees = strap a bit higher; closer trees = strap a bit lower.
• Sit height: the bottom of the hammock should sit around the height of a chair seat when you're in it. If your backside hits the dirt, raise both straps a little.

The beauty of webbing straps with multiple loops is that you can fine-tune the height in seconds without re-wrapping the tree.

The perfect lay: lie on the diagonal

Here's the trick almost no first-timer knows. Don't lie straight down the middle of the hammock — lie on a diagonal.

Lying along the centre line forces the fabric to squeeze your shoulders and bend your spine into a U. Shift your body 15–30 degrees off-centre — head toward one side, feet toward the other — and the hammock flattens out underneath you. You get a near-flat, ergonomic position that takes the pressure off your back and lets you sleep on your side or your back comfortably.

Pop a small pillow or a stuffed jacket under your knees if you like, and you'll wonder why you ever fought a tent.

Ridgeline basics (and why they help)

A ridgeline is a length of cord (or webbing) that runs from one end of the hammock to the other, above you. It does two clever things:

1. Sets a repeatable sag. Once you find the perfect curve, a fixed ridgeline locks it in so every hang feels the same, no matter how far apart your trees are.
2. Gives you a place to hang gear. Clip a head torch, your glasses, a phone or a small organiser to it so nothing ends up lost in the leaf litter.

If you're running a Hammock Bug Net, a ridgeline is the natural spine to drape and tension it along, lifting the mesh off your face. And if you add a Camping Hammock Rain Fly, you'll often run a separate, longer ridgeline above the hammock for the tarp to sit over. More on the full overnight build in our setup guide below.

Common mistakes (and the easy fixes)

• Hanging too tight. The number-one error. Loosen off until you see that gentle 30-degree smile.
• Hanging too high. If you have to climb in, you've gone too far up. Sit height makes entry and exit easy — and safer.
• Lying straight down the middle. Go diagonal for a flat, comfy lay.
• Skinny or dead trees. Thigh-thick and alive, every time.
• Rope or cord on bark. Use wide tree-friendly straps to protect the tree (and stay within park rules).
• Ignoring the weather and the ground. Pitch across the slope where you can, avoid pooling spots, and have a rain plan before the clouds roll in.

TKO Outdoors Hammock — quick reference

We focus on high-quality gear without the oversized big-brand markup — premium comfort and reliable performance, built for Australian conditions, without the big-name price.

Frequently asked questions

What angle should hammock straps be?

Aim for about 30 degrees from horizontal where the strap meets the tree. That relaxed angle gives you a deep, comfortable cradle and takes strain off your straps and anchor points. If the hammock looks like a gentle smile rather than a tight line, you've nailed it.

How far apart should the trees be to hang a hammock?

A few metres apart is a comfortable starting point — close enough for a nice curve, far enough that you're not cranking everything tight. Adjust strap height to suit: a little higher on wider gaps, a little lower on closer ones.

Can I hang a hammock in an Australian national park?

Sometimes — but rules vary a lot by state and by reserve. Many parks restrict attaching anything to trees or only allow hammocks in designated areas. Always check the managing park authority before you go, and use wide tree-friendly straps to protect the bark.

Do I need a ridgeline?

You don't have to have one, but it makes life easier — it locks in your perfect sag every time and gives you somewhere to hang a torch, your phone or a Hammock Bug Net.

How do I lie flat in a hammock?

Lie on the diagonal, not straight down the middle. Shifting your body 15–30 degrees off-centre lets the fabric open up so you lie almost flat, which is far kinder on your back.

Ready to hang?

Grab the TKO Outdoors Hammock, add a Hammock Bug Net and a Camping Hammock Rain Fly for full overnight comfort, or browse the whole Hammocks & Accessories range. New to hammock camping? Start with our beginner's guide to camping hammocks, then read how to set up a camping hammock for the full overnight build.

Every TKO order comes with FREE Australia-wide shipping, 30-day easy returns, a 12-month warranty and friendly Aussie-based support.