Gippsland is a fantastic place to have a BBQ with family and friends. There are lots of great spots to have your BBQ like Cape Conran, but you need to think about more than just the location when you are planning your gathering.
What are the esstentials for a bbq in Gippsland?
The following will look at 6 essentials to bring with you to have a great BBQ in Gippsland.
Meat and bread
When you are planning a BBQ, you need to cover the essentials first, and what could be more essential than the actual food you are going to cook and eat?
Sausages are the mainstay of any BBQ, and you don’t just need to go with beef. There are plenty of options for lamb and chicken, as well as vegetarian and even vegan choices as well. Keep in mind; if you are going to be cooking for different dietary requirements, then you want to make sure that there is no cross-contamination by using the same surface for different meats/meat alternatives.
If you need to source alternatives for your vegetarian or vegan BBQ guests, check out the vegan and meat-free section at Woolworths.
Burger sliders are also a great option for any BBQ, as well as skewers and smaller options like chicken wings or thighs. These are all great options if you BBQ often and you or others are getting a little tired of having sausages every time.
Other than the meat (or veggie alternatives), you need to make sure that you have bread as well. In Australia, we tend to go with simple sandwich bread to wrap around the meat, but you can always go a little fancier and buy hot dog and burger buns as well.
Sides and condiments
You’ve already nailed the core elements of a BBQ above, so there is really no rule you need to follow when it comes to the sides you offer. Of course, some sides are more classic for a BBQ, such as coleslaw, corn on the cob, baking potatoes, and more.
Sides can also be their own meals depending on the appetites of the people you have in attendance. In fact, there are lots of different dishes, such as the meals featured on EveryPlate, that could be prepared in advance and brought along to the BBQ. This can be a great option for people who want to enjoy the social gathering in picturesque Gippsland without having to eat BBQ food they might not personally enjoy.
You can’t forget about the condiments either! Make sure that you have all the essentials like tomato sauce, barbeque sauce, mustard and mayonnaise. It can be worthwhile buying extra of each so that you can be sure you won’t run out (there’s nothing worse than running out of condiments at a BBQ)!
Music and entertainment
While the natural sounds of Gippsland are a great soundtrack to any gathering, there’s nothing wrong with bringing along a handy JBL Bluetooth speaker and cranking some tunes for everyone to enjoy. If you and your family/friends use Spotify, it’s a smart idea to create a collaborative playlist so that everyone can add their own songs, and you’ll get a really diverse selection of music for your BBQ by doing this.
On top of the music, why not bring along some sports equipment or some other fun activities? A cricket set or footy is always a hit at any BBQ. Even a frisbee is better than nothing and helps to keep kids occupied while the adults chat.
Drinks
No BBQ is complete without beverages, as they’re essential to enjoy with the food, and will cool you down during the day. Keeping your drinks cool is a cinch when you have an esky – just make sure you bring enough ice with you to fill it up.
If you are going to bring alcohol, it’s a good idea to keep it in a separate esky for adults while you have another one with soft drinks for the kids. Make sure each esky is kept a reasonable distance apart, so there is no chance of confusion about which is which.
Garbage and recycling bins
Gippsland is a beautiful region, and just like the rest of Australia, we all need to do our bit to keep it beautiful. You shouldn’t try to have a BBQ if you aren’t prepared to clean up after yourself.
Make sure that you come with adequate garbage bags and separate your food and plastic waste from recyclables like beer bottles and cardboard packaging. You can make things easier by investing in small lidded plastic bins that you can line with a garbage bag and wheel around (the lids also help reduce any smell from the bins and stop insects from getting to the food waste).
Insect repellent and sunscreen
When you are planning a big BBQ in Gippsland, it can be easy to forget about the little things like insect repellent and sunscreen. It would be terrible if you or any of your guests were plagued with insect bites or with a nasty sunburn because you forgot about these essential items.
We hope this article from us here at Travels in Gippsland has you inspired to have a bbq in Gippsland for more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Gippsland click through to our have a bbq in Gippsland Page for more brilliant Gippsland inspiration.