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 Where to stay in a van in Australia?

For all the adventurers who have made the choice to go on a road trip in Australia, know that you will have no trouble finding places to sleep. This, provided you are informed and prepared at a minimum! Although camping is an integral part of Australian culture, and there are many options for camping (tent, van, camper, 4 4), there are also many regulations. In addition, the best spots are often the best hidden! So here are the necessary information and tips before going on an adventure…

Can you camp and sleep anywhere in Australia?

No, you can’t camp and sleep all over Australia. There are simple rules to get familiar with. In the city, in car parks, and in busy places, it is generally forbidden to camp even if it is in a vehicle. Otherwise, you are liable to a substantial fine.

In Queensland and the Northern Territory, for example, it is forbidden to camp in the wild. It is mandatory to camp in a referenced place.

In Australia, we distinguish four types of camping:

• the equipped campsite (caravan park),

• the motorway area (rest area),

• paid camp areas (camp spot),

• and free camp areas (free camp), 

Sleeping with your van in free camping areas

La rest aera

The rest area or «rest areas» are suitable for people who simply want to stop to sleep and get back on the road as soon as possible the next day. Free, the amenities they offer are very variable. There are often toilets (sometimes dry) and access to water (not always potable). Sometimes even showers!
The downside? They are placed on the side of the road and can be noisy. Especially if they are accessible to heavy trucks.

The free camp

Free camp is the height of freedom. Here you are with your camp in the middle of nature. Goodbye drinking water, toilet, shower, electricity, and 4G. By definition, wilderness camping is prohibited and punished by a fine if it is not in an authorized area. This is why you need to make sure that your bivouac is located in well-defined areas. To verify this, use the WikiCamps and CamperMate applications.

Sleeping with your van in paid areas 

Campsites

The caravan park, or campsite, offers all the amenities you will need: showers, toilets, washing machines, dryers, kitchens, etc. Some even have TV or pool rooms… They are very common in Australia and mostly indicated by blue signs on the road.

Paid spot camp

Spot camps are paid (but inexpensive) and often not equipped campgrounds. They are usually located in or around tourist areas, such as national parks. It is to allow you to enjoy the places that these areas are made available to the travelers for a few dollars at night.

The rates are quite variable depending on the location, the type of location (tent or van) and the amenities. Although they are generally limited, you will usually find dry water and toilets. Sometimes even showers and electricity!

Regulations by region

Queensland

Queensland has more than 470 campground spots in its parks and forests. In some cases camping in a national park or near forests requires a permit. These campsites in national parks and forests are managed by park rangers.

In Queensland sleeping in his vehicle outside the campgrounds is considered illegal. The amount of the fine depends on the Regional Council and varies depending on the region of Queensland where you are located.

The state of Queensland defines camping as:

• Set up, place a tent, caravan or other structure in order to be used for camping (overnight stay)

• Place equipment that can be used for camping or a vehicle in position for the purpose of spending the night using the vehicle or equipment

• Park your vehicle or camping equipment overnight without supervision

• Just stay the night

Camping costs in national parks

• For one person: $6.65 per person per night

• For a student or a companion in an educational setting: $3.65 per person per night

• For a family: $26.60 per night

The family rate applies to families under 8 people with minimum 1 adult and children under 18 years of age.

See campsites by zones

Statewide | Brisbane | Townsville | Cape York Peninsula | Central Coast | Central Highlands | Mackay/Proserpine |  North Queensland | Outback Queensland | Sunshine Coast | West Brisbane

Rulers

Camping is prohibited in the following cases:

• In natural areas classified 1 to 3

• In historic or cultural places

• In “threatened” or “of concern” regional ecosystems

• Protected areas for wildlife (breeding area)

• In science areas of national parks

• On sites that are too steep and have fragile soil or pollution-sensitive vegetation cover

• At a site with poor water supply capacity

• On a site where waste disposal is not satisfactory

• On a site where natural hazards are present

In the region of Cairns camping by the road, in parks, public parking, beaches, sports fields, drainage reserves, cemeteries, etc. is prohibited. Camping in these conditions exposes you to a fine of $266.

Since February 1, 2017 smoking is limited. It is forbidden to smoke within 10 meters of other users of the campsite.

Parks that allow campfires have facilities for this purpose. You must supply your wood and it is forbidden to recover wood in the park to use it for your fire (even dead branches).

New South Wales

In the state of NSW the majority of national parks have camping areas and some parks allow bush-camping.

Sleeping in your vehicle in the NSW is allowed and even encouraged to fight fatigue while driving. In the city you have the right to sleep in your vehicle as long as you are parked in a place that allows it. Attention some areas forbid to park to stay at night. Parking in these areas may expose you to a fine or a police check to ask you to move.

Rulers

Before you go camping:

• Check if the national park is open

• Check if the national park is not subject to an alert

• Download the Emergency+ application

• Check the camping equipment (to provide a water supply…)

• Check the weather

• Check that your camping equipment is functional

For your safety it is recommended to fill out a form (Trip Itention Form) and notify a loved one in the following situations:

• Walk in the bush

• Visit places where the climate is extreme (snow, mountain)

• Road trip in national parks

• Sports at risk: canyoning, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc.

• Activities on the water: boat, kayak…

• Camping and visiting remote areas

Victoria

Sleeping in your vehicle in Victoria is not illegal but very limited. The rules are specific to each region of Victoria. This is already prohibited in the following areas: Hobsons Bay, Greater Geelong, or Manningham.

To camp in some national parks you must make a reservation in advance. You can make your reservation online or by calling the Visitor Information Centre.

Camping fees in national parks

For camping in Victoria National Park, fees apply. Fees vary depending on the season and your booking method. In some cases it is cheaper to book online or by phone than to buy a pass directly on site. For more details see the costs of each park.

The fees are higher during the high season, that is from the beginning of the Melbourne Cup to the end of February, during the Easter holidays, during the holidays of December and January, the weekend of Labor Day (8 March), the weekend of Anzac Day (25 April).

During the average season the fees decrease. This period runs from November to the end of April these fees apply only for the days of the week except in March where weekends are included. Easter and September holidays don’t count.

The costs are lower during the low season, that is from the 1st of May until the beginning of the Melbourne Cup (November).

Northern Territory

Campsites in the Northern Territory are mostly well equipped (toilets, showers, garbage cans, barbecues, tables).

Most campsites operate on a system of honesty. You have to pay at the entrance by putting the money in a box.

Travel advice

Even in Australia, the nights are sometimes cool, do not hesitate to leave with several blankets. Even if the place can sometimes run out in a van, nothing worse than sleeping in the cold! To avoid being awakened by insects or animals a little bigger, try to make your sleeping space waterproof!