Fireside Therapy: Why Aussie Dads Are Swapping Father’s Day Gifts for Campfire Nights.

It appears that Aussie men, in particular, are embracing camping as a mental wellness ritual, a mental reset under the stars. New research from Australian camping company ArcMate found that camping offers a bigger mental reset for men than it does for women. For example, ArcMate’s recent survey highlights:

• 48% of Aussie men say they enjoy camping because it helps them mentally reset (compared to 41% of women).
• Nearly 69% of men go camping specifically to spend time in nature (versus 61% of women).

In short, many men see a night under the stars as a chance to switch off, slow down, and recalibrate in a way they might not elsewhere. For fathers, camping isn’t just an “escape” or a hobby – it’s a way to bond with family and recharge mentally at the same time. “It’s not about the camping gear or the fish you might catch,” our son, a father of two, muses. “It’s about switching off, slowing down, and reconnecting with the people who matter.” Research backs him up: campers are far less likely to feel lonely or bored than non-campers, and 85% of campers feel closer to their spouse or partner after a trip. In an era when many dads feel time-poor and digitally distracted, camping trips can offer a rare opportunity to be fully present with their family. No wonder nearly half of Aussie dads in ArcMate’s survey preferred a family camping adventure over any store-bought Father’s Day gift.

Father’s Day: Beyond Socks and Mugs

Every Father’s Day, Aussie dads unwrap the usual token gifts – socks, gift cards, novelty mugs. However, new research reveals that what they actually want is far simpler: time outdoors with their families. Instead of another mug, many fathers crave the crackle of a campfire and the open sky above. It turns out this back-to-basics desire isn’t just about recreation – it’s rooted in a real need for mental wellbeing and connection.

Men’s mental health is a pressing issue that often flies under the radar. In Australia, men make up roughly three-quarters of all suicides, a sobering statistic that underscores the importance of helping blokes open up and de-stress in healthy ways. Increasingly, experts and everyday dads alike are discovering that one of the best ways to do this is by gathering around a simple campfire. Camping and fireside conversations are emerging as a kind of informal therapy – a chance for men to slow down, talk openly, and “reboot” their overwhelmed minds.

Campfire Conversations as Therapy

There’s something almost primal about a circle of people sitting around a fire under the stars. Researchers say that fireside sitting has real therapeutic effects: a 2014 study in Evolutionary Psychology found that watching a campfire can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and even foster social interactions. Furthermore, many therapists have also observed this. The fire’s warm glow and gentle crackling put people at ease, making it easier to relax and speak from the heart.

“Once the fire’s going, that’s when the real connection starts,” Michael says. “When you get two people around the fire, the inevitable happens: you start talking… sharing things many would never normally share”. In the safety of the campfire’s glow, even the most stoic blokes can open up about struggles and feelings that would otherwise stay bottled inside. By verbalising worries or emotions, men begin to break the power it has over them. It’s a critical step for improved mental health.”

Toasting marshmallows around a fire is more than just a fun family activity – it encourages everyone to slow down, put away their devices, and engage in conversation. Campfire gatherings have been shown to relax people and improve social connections.

Beyond the social bonds, nature itself is a therapeutic backdrop. Camping forces a break from the daily grind and the digital devices that dominate modern life.

“Camping is being lauded as a way to help you feel better about yourself, get closer to your loved ones and reconnect to the world,” Michael explains. “Part of the magic is that camping cuts people off from technology, easing the feeling of missing out (FOMO), which is fuelled by the anxieties of modern life. Instead of screens and schedules, you have sunsets and starry skies – “the stars are nature’s TV… sitting around a campfire at night is very grounding,” Michael adds.

The simplicity of life outdoors – pitching a tent or setting up a camper, cooking over flames, and sharing stories – has a meditative, mindful effect. In fact, 95% of campers say that camping makes them happier by reducing stress and frustration. Many people report feeling closer to their partners and children after a trip, and 94% say that camping creates lasting, happy memories. As my wife often says when asked about our camping experiences, “If you can get out, get dirty, get the sun on your skin and start relaxing by a fire, then there’s no better way to improve your mood.”

Fireside Bonding

As a father of two, Michael can attest to the restorative power of a campfire night. As the co-founder of ArcMate (makers of a popular portable 2-in-1 fire pit-BBQ), Michael has long been passionate about camping – but even more so about men’s health. For him, camping has been both a way to create cherished memories with his young family and a much-needed mental reset from the daily chaos of working and parenting. “I’ve got photos of my little girl at age four sitting around campfires in Far North Queensland, and now she’s nine and still talks about those trips,” Michael says with a smile. He recalls a journey up to Cape York when his daughter was just a preschooler: “Even today, we’ll be driving along and out of the blue she goes, ‘Remember that time at Cape York…?’ It’s still in her memory, so obviously it was enjoyable for her. And for me, those moments are gold.”

This Father’s Day, Michael is encouraging families to skip the socks and mugs and instead treat Dad to an outdoor adventure. He’s an advocate for what he calls “Father’s Day Campfires,” inviting dads to gather around a fire and relax with their loved ones. It’s about spending time with friends and family, getting away from all the devices, he explains. In Michael’s view, a campfire gathering isn’t just a short break – it can kickstart a healthier lifestyle. “It’s really creating a lifestyle rather than just a little break,” he says. “Get your mates around it, create a different circle of people as well. You meet people along the way. Yeah, it’s a different vibe.” Michael believes that these outdoor socials can help build supportive communities of men who look out for one another. It’s a chance to form a “mateship circle” around the fire, where everyone feels comfortable having a yarn about life.

Michael has even started a new weekly tradition at home to practice what he preaches. “Every Sunday, we fire up our ArcMate fire pit, chuck on a roast, and we all sit outside with the kids – that’s our little family time,” he says. “It still feels like you’re camping a little bit… but it just gets us away from all the devices. We’re outside, and you can have that chat together. There are no distractions then.” In a world of iPads and constant notifications, Michael finds that the simple act of gathering around the backyard fire pit works wonders for family communication. “It’s surprising what you get out of kids when they put a device down – you actually have a conversation with them,” he laughs. His children love it too – especially roasting marshmallows over the fire. It’s a ritual they all look forward to, proving you don’t even need to drive to the bush to get the benefits of a campfire catch-up. “We basically bring the camping vibes to our backyard,” Michael says. “And it keeps us talking. We want to keep it going, because I can see how good it is for all of us.”

The Best Gift You Can’t Wrap

They’re also a win-win, bringing joy in the moment and lasting benefits for mental health. The research and anecdotes agree: camping and campfires help reset the mind, strengthen family bonds, and open up conversations that men might not otherwise have. In a way, the campfire becomes a kind of therapy circle – but one with toasted marshmallows and dad jokes instead of a clinic couch.

So, this Father’s Day, perhaps it’s time to think outside the gift box. Instead of another gadget or gizmo, consider packing the tent or even just setting up a fire pit in the backyard. Invite Dad’s mates, roast some marshmallows, and let the flicker of the fire and the crisp night air work their magic. Chances are, the dad in your life will come back from that evening feeling happier, lighter, and more connected – a rebooted man. And you’ll have given him something no pair of socks can provide: a memory, an experience, and a reminder that sometimes the simplest pleasures in life are the most important for our wellbeing.

Special thanks to Michael Kirkland and ArcMate for their assistance in compiling this article.   

Visit arcmate.com.au for more information.