Free camping means staying overnight somewhere with no nightly fee. In Australia that can be a roadside rest area where overnight stops are allowed, a council site or showground, or a campground in a park. The rules depend on who manages the land, so read the sign when you arrive and check with the land manager if you aren’t sure.
Rest areas
Each state sets its own rules for rest areas.
In Queensland, you can stop at a rest area for up to 20 hours unless a sign says otherwise. The Queensland Government says rest areas are not camping sites or an accommodation option.
In Western Australia, Main Roads WA lists 63 rest areas that allow overnight stays, for no more than 24 consecutive hours. Park to the side and leave room for trucks to get in and out.
In New South Wales, Transport for NSW says its designated rest areas are not caravan sites and you can’t stay overnight in them.
For other states and territories, check the road authority’s website and the sign at each rest area.
Keep out of heavy vehicle rest areas. Truck drivers need them for their compulsory rest breaks, and in Queensland you can be fined for using one if you aren’t driving a heavy vehicle.
National parks
Some national park campgrounds cost little or nothing a night, but many need a booking. In NSW, campgrounds are booked through National Parks and Wildlife Service, and a non-refundable booking fee is added to each booking.
Pets and other domestic animals aren’t allowed in NSW national parks, apart from certified assistance animals. If you travel with a dog, check the rules for each park before you go.
Councils, showgrounds and RV Friendly towns
Many country towns allow low-cost or free overnight parking, often at the showground or a council site near the main street. Rules and time limits are set by the local council.
The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) runs the RV Friendly Town scheme. To qualify, a town must offer low-cost overnight parking for self-contained vehicles, drinking water, and a free dump point in town or within 50 km. If a site is marked for self-contained vehicles only, you need your own toilet and must be able to hold your waste water.
Finding sites
Apps such as WikiCamps and CamperMate, and the CAMPS Australia Wide guides, list free and low-cost sites with photos and recent reviews. Road authorities publish rest area maps too, including the Main Roads WA travel map.
Before you rely on a listing, check the date of the most recent reviews. Rules and access change, and the sign on site is what applies.
What to bring
Most free sites have few facilities, so plan to carry what you need.
Fill your water tanks before you leave town, because many rest areas have no drinking water.
For power, you need a battery with solar or a generator. Check whether generators are allowed at the site, and during which hours.
You also need an on-board toilet or cassette and somewhere to empty it. Main Roads WA says sewage may only be emptied at a marked dump point, and CMCA keeps a list of public dump points across Australia.
Take your rubbish with you. Many rest areas have no bins, or bins that fill quickly.
Fires
Before you light a fire, check the fire danger rating and whether a total fire ban is in place with your state’s fire service. Where fires are allowed, use an existing fire ring and put the fire out completely before you leave or go to bed.
Leaving the site
Leave No Trace Australia’s principles cover the basics of camping without damaging the place. Stay on hardened areas, take all rubbish and food scraps with you, leave plants and rocks where they are, and don’t feed wildlife.
Keep noise down after dark, and run generators only during the allowed hours.