A hammock camp is one of the comfiest, lightest ways to spend a night outdoors — no rocky ground, no lumpy tent floor, just a flat, cradle-like lie strung between two trees. A full overnight setup really only has three parts: the hammock, a bug net to keep the mozzies out, and a rain tarp over the top for weather. This guide walks you through the build in order. Once you've done it once, it takes only a few minutes.

If you'd rather grab everything in one go, the Ultimate Hammock Bundle pairs the Hammock, Hammock Bug Net and Camping Hammock Rain Fly — $200 (was $250).

Before you start: pick a good site

Your site does half the work. Spend two minutes choosing well and the rest is easy.

• Two solid trees, the right distance apart. Healthy, living trees at least as thick as your thigh, a few metres apart. Skip dead trunks, skinny saplings and anything hollow-sounding.
• Look up. Avoid dead branches overhead ("widow-makers") that could drop in wind.
• Read the ground. Pitch across a slope, not down it, and avoid dips and gullies where water pools in rain.
• Mind the wildlife and the rules. Watch for ant nests and leeches in damp gullies, and check the park's rules before you hang — many AU national parks restrict attaching gear to trees or only allow hammocks in designated areas.

Step 1: Hang the hammock

Get the hammock right first — everything else hangs off it.

1. Wrap your tree-friendly straps around each trunk at about head height. Wide webbing protects the bark (and keeps you within park rules); never use bare rope or cord.
2. Clip in the hammock so the straps sit at roughly a 30-degree angle from horizontal. Resist the urge to pull it drum-tight — a relaxed, gentle curve gives a far flatter, comfier lie.
3. Check your sit height. Sitting in the middle, the lowest point should be about chair-seat height. If your backside touches the ground, raise both straps a notch.

New to the hang? Our full how to hang a hammock guide covers the 30-degree rule, tree safety and the perfect diagonal lay in detail.

Step 2: Add the bug net

In an Australian summer, a Hammock Bug Net is the difference between a good night and a long one. Mozzies, midges and march flies don't take the night off.

1. Slide or drape the net over the hammock so it fully encloses you. Most nets thread along a ridgeline run from end to end.
2. Lift the mesh off your face by tensioning it along the ridgeline — you want a little headroom, not the net resting on your nose.
3. Tuck the edges so there are no gaps. The whole point is a sealed bubble between you and everything that bites.

Step 3: Pitch the rain tarp

Even on a clear forecast, an overnight tarp is cheap insurance — it blocks rain, dew and wind, and traps a bit of warmth. The Camping Hammock Rain Fly goes up last, over the top.

1. Run a ridgeline above the hammock, tree to tree, sitting higher than the hammock itself. Drape the tarp over it so it forms an A-frame roof.
2. Centre the tarp so the overhang is even on both ends — you want the ends of the hammock covered, not poking out into the rain.
3. Stake or guy out the corners to pull the sides taut and create an angled roof. The steeper the pitch, the better it sheds heavy rain.
4. Adjust for the weather. In light, fair conditions, pitch the sides high for airflow and views. If wind and rain are coming, drop the sides low and tight to the hammock for maximum shelter — a "storm mode" cocoon.

Weatherproofing tips for Australian conditions

• Angle matters. Water runs off a steep tarp and pools on a flat one — when in doubt, pitch steeper.
• Stay off the ground for warmth. You lose more heat to the cold air underneath you than most people expect. On cool nights, slip a Comfort Sleeping Pad inside the hammock to insulate your back.
• Drip lines. Tie a short length of cord around each strap under the tarp so rain runs off there instead of tracking onto your hammock.

The quick checklist

Want it all in one go? The Ultimate Hammock Bundle ($200, was $250) covers the three essentials, or split it with the Hammock & Bug Net Bundle ($120) and Hammock & Rain Fly Bundle ($155).

Frequently asked questions

What order do you set up a camping hammock?

Hammock first, then the bug net, then the tarp over the top. Hang the hammock at a relaxed 30-degree strap angle, enclose it with the net, then pitch the tarp on a separate, higher ridgeline so it shelters the whole rig.

Do I really need a tarp if it's not forecast to rain?

It's worth it. A tarp also blocks overnight dew, cuts wind and traps a little warmth, and AU weather can turn quickly. Pitch the sides high for airflow on a fine night and you barely notice it's there.

How do I stay warm in a hammock?

The cold mostly comes from underneath, where the air strips heat from your back. Add insulation inside the hammock — a Comfort Sleeping Pad is the simplest fix — and pitch your tarp low and tight on cold or windy nights.

Can one hammock setup fit two people?

The TKO Outdoors Hammock is a single hammock — best for one person sleeping. For two campers, hang two setups nearby and share the tarp coverage where you can.

Ready for your first night out?

Start with the Hammock, add the Hammock Bug Net and Camping Hammock Rain Fly — or grab the lot in the Ultimate Hammock Bundle. Browse the full Hammocks & Accessories range or stock up on Camping Gear & Outdoor Essentials.

Every order ships FREE Australia-wide, with 30-day easy returns, a 12-month warranty and Aussie-based support — high-quality gear without the big-name markup, built for Australian conditions.