Tips for Free Camping Australia: The Ultimate Guide!
When traveling through Australia, you basically have two options: either you take the bus (for isntance Greyhound) or you explore the country with your own car or camper. We opted for the second choice. That way, you’re not limited to just the cities and tourist hotspots. With a camper van, you have the freedom to explore the entire country at your own pace. Curious about our ultimate tips for free camping in Australia?
General Tips for Free Camping in Australia
Australia can be an expensive country, especially if you choose to rent a van or camper, as the costs quickly add up. However, you can save a lot on accommodation if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of luxury. During our four-week road trip along the east coast from Cairns to Melbourne, we camped mostly for free at designated rest areas. We didn’t have a big camper but drove a larger car with just a bed and some camping gear (so not a ‘self-contained vehicle’). We rented this car via Spaceships rentals.
A quick disclaimer: the rules around free camping are constantly changing, and more and more places seem to be closed off over time. So, be sure to check whether camping is still allowed at the places we mention, as regulations may have changed. Additionally, our trip was just a snapshot in time, and facilities could be different in the future.
Facilities at Free Campsites
Generally speaking, all camping spots have toilet facilities. Sometimes these are drop toilets (no flush), but more often you’ll find regular flush toilets. The sanitation in Australia is surprisingly well-maintained: we found toilet paper and soap at almost all locations. While not all campsites have showers, there are alternatives (we often took showers at the beach). Sometimes, we also went without a shower for a few nights. Occasionally, if we couldn’t find a suitable free spot, we stayed at one of the many showgrounds (event venues that double as campgrounds). These are scattered across the country and usually charge around $20-$30 per night without electricity. For the record, free campsites never offer power.
Safety Tips for Free Camping
Sleeping by the roadside can sound a bit scary, and there are plenty of stories circulating about robberies and unsafe situations. However, it’s quite common in Australia to sleep at rest areas. You’ll encounter all kinds of campers here, from large vans and caravans to people in tents. During our travels, we often met fellow travelers, so we never felt unsafe. We usually kept the doors closed but left the windows open for ventilation. That said, we wouldn’t recommend camping by the road near larger cities like Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast, and Melbourne. These rest areas have unfortunately been taken over by homeless people. In these places, we opted for showgrounds or national parks instead.
Tip: Download Our Free Google Maps Guide for Australia
Do you want an easy way to find the best free camping spots in Australia? Download our Google Maps travel guide Australia, which features all the locations mentioned above (from north to south). This will save you a lot of time searching for the best campsites!
