When you’re bushwalking in Australia, a reliable camp stove is one of the smartest pieces of gear you can carry. Whether you’re heating water on a windswept ridge or cooking a proper meal after a long day on the trail, the right setup keeps things efficient, lightweight, and satisfying.

Choosing the Right Camp Stoves for Bushwalking

Bushwalkers usually fall into two groups: fast-and-light hikers who want a mini camp stoves, and campers who prefer a more versatile stove for real meals. Our best lightweight camping stoves include the Soto Amicus Stove, paired with the Soto thermostack cookset combo, for the perfect bushwalking camp stove.

1. Soto Amicus Portable Stove & Thermostack Cookset

2. Jetboil Flash 1.0L & Jetboil Zip Camp Stoves

If you enjoy fast boiling performance, the Jetboil Flash remains a standout—check out our articles on the Jetboil Flash 1.0L Hiking Stove Review 2025 Model  for a sense of how these systems have evolved. They’re perfect for hikers who want minimal fuel use and maximum speed.

On the other hand, if you prefer more open-style cooking, Dave's highlighted several useful options in Dave’s 5 winter outdoor faves: What you need on your next hike and why!, especially gear that works well in cold and windy conditions.

Side note: Some Easy Campfire Cooking Recipes for bushwalkers

The beauty of bushwalking is that even simple meals taste incredible after a long day on the trail. When paired with a dependable stove—whether a mini camp stove or a larger setup—you can turn lightweight ingredients into hearty, comforting food- fast! If you want inspiration, our article The 6 best camping meals you’ll ever eat is packed with ideas that require minimal prep, minimal cleanup, and maximum flavour.

Think one-pot pasta, rice bowls, or quick soups—perfect options when fuel and time are limited. For hikers who enjoy a bit of creativity, stoves with simmer control let you whip up more adventurous dishes like pan-fried flatbreads or easy curries like this Sri Lankan Curry from Real Meals. 

And if you’re the type who likes a warm treat before bed, nothing beats a simple mug cake or hot chocolate made right on your stove like our Dog & Gun Hot Chocolate Mix.

For family-style cooking, the recipes shown in Tipi Camping Trip with Family Cooking and Fishing showcase how easy it can be to blend campfire cooking with stove-based meals. A portable stove gives you consistency and control, while the campfire brings atmosphere and flavour—combine both and you’ve got an unbeatable outdoor kitchen. The key is keeping it simple, packing ingredients that travel well, and choosing a stove that’s reliable in all conditions. 

3. MSR Windburner Personal Stove System

Another top choice for Aussie bushwalkers is the MSR WindBurner Personal Stove System—a premium all-in-one camp stove that shines when conditions get tough. Designed with a windproof radiant burner and integrated heat exchanger, this system is built to boil water quickly and efficiently even in windy or cold conditions that challenge traditional stoves.