Cool camping designs impress judges

A number of innovative products designed for the great outdoors, including a 'green' campfire, modern swag, and fibreglass caravan, have been named as finalists in the 2011 Australian International Design Awards.

Designed by the Hiroshi Tsunoda Design Studio for NSW-based The Fire Company, the EcoSmart Fire Stix has been described as a "contemporary twist on the traditional campfire".

With a contemporary design that wouldn't be out of place in a modern art museum, the Fire Stix is constructed from varying-sized tubular stainless steel 'sticks' secured around an efficient AB3 burner, powered by environmentally friendly bioethanol.

Three litres of the clean-burning fuel will keep the bright flame flickering for around eight hours; perfect for those late-night beach parties or chilly Outback nights.

The Backpack Bed is another modern take on an old favourite; in this case the humble swag.

While designed by charitable organisation Swags for Homeless to make life easier for street-sleeping homeless people and for disaster relief situations, it could be just as useful to solo hikers or other travellers wanting to sleep under the stars.

The Backpack Bed is manufactured from various lightweight yet durable materials including an UltTrex Lite top fabric that's up to five times more waterproof than traditional heavy canvas.

Sleeping on hard ground isn't an issue with a 190cm long EVA comfort mattress with silver foil insulation backing that's both fire retardant and mildew resistant.

There are also ultra-strong mesh vents, and a hidden internal lockable pocket, with supplied brass key padlock, for storing valuables.

When folded up into a backpack that weighs just 2.5kg, the Backpack Bed is light enough to be carried all day.

Another camping-oriented product to make the finals in this year's Australian International Design Awards, is the Melbourne-built Bolwell Edge.

The radical, fully-moulded fibreglass caravan combines a number of composite materials in a light weight, strong, aerodynamic, and ultra-stylish package.

All up, 127 products including cars, medical devices, cooking utensils, building tools and furniture have made the finals of the 2011 Australian International Design Awards.

For the first time this year all finalists will be on display to the public at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, Melbourne from July 21-24.

The winners will be announced at a presentation ceremony on July 22 at Peninsula in Docklands, Melbourne, as part of Victoria’s State of Design Festival.