Read This Before You Try Wild Camping In Australia

Camping for free is the best way to travel on a budget when you visit Australia. However, as adventurous and fun as wild camping in Australia might seem, the unfortunate truth is that it can be very hard to find free camp spots in most of the popular tourist places.

Wild camping is illegal in Australia which makes finding places to stay for the night very difficult and risky. This article tells you all about when and where I think it’s appropriate and when it is not. Even if you’re not planning to camp wild on your travels it’s good to know the rules and what to avoid.

Don’t miss out on our complete guides to free and wild camping in popular spots like Byron Bay, Coral Bay, Perlubie Beach or Bremer Bay.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FREE AND WILD CAMPING

FREE CAMPING

There is an important difference between free and wild camping in Australia.

Free camping means you are setting up a tent or sleeping in a car or campervan at a designated free camp spot. These locations often have public bathrooms or BBQ grills and come in all forms. Often times they’re simply a rest stop at the side of the highway but they can also be private lots or a part of an establishment such as a restaurant or gas station.

You can find them by using apps such as CamperMate or WikiCamps. There are also camping books you can buy, however, these tend to be outdated very quickly. My favourite was always CamperMate. It’s a free app that you can also use to navigate and find other amenities such as public showers, bathrooms, hospitals or gas stations.

Our tip: Struggling to set up yout tent? Here is how you can get pegs into hard ground with ease.

Unfortunately, these free camping spots are few and far between, especially around popular backpacking spots such as Airlie Beach, Byron Bay or the larger cities. You’ll have to plan your route very carefully if you’re planning to camp for free as the camp spots can be as far as 100km apart, maybe more in remote areas.

This means you lose a lot of flexibility. If you’re planning to camp near Agnes Water, for example, you’ll have to drive more than an hour inland to sleep for the night for free.

WILD CAMPING

Wild camping is illegal in Australia.

If you’ve camped in Europe or the US you might be used to simply stopping at the side of the road somewhere or finding a nice spot in nature to pitch your tent or park your RV. While it’s not always technically legal to camp wherever you want in these places either, the truth is that mostly no one cares.

Some countries even encourage wild camping such as Scotland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland or Finland. There are some regulations but the gist of it is that you camp anywhere as long as it’s not private property and you leave no trace.

Now, as you might notice, none of these countries are particularly well known for being backpacking havens. They have cold climates and are quite expensive to visit. Not exactly great conditions for camping on a budget.

Australia, however, is one of the world’s most popular backpacking destinations, largely because of their convenient work&travel visa, favourable climate and stunning natural beauty. This is an important reason why wild camping is illegal here.

WHY WILD CAMPING IS ILLEGAL IN AUSTRALIA

Australia has to deal with very large numbers of backpackers visiting every year. Especially on the east coast, it can seem as though every third car on the road is a campervan. And not just traditional backpackers camp. Due to the size of the country and non-existent long-distance public transport system, many travellers opt to rent a campervan even if they’re just visiting Australia for a few weeks.

With more than 8,5 million international visitors yearly it’s not hard to imagine what would happen if everyone started camping wherever they wanted.

Australia might be a large country but the fact is that most of the tourism is highly concentrated on the coastal areas. Almost everyone visits the same places if you think about it. Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Airlie Beach, Fraser Island, Byron Bay, Cairns, Perth, Gold Coast, Surfer’s Paradise, Agnes Water, Townsville and so on. The list is not as long as you might think.

To come to the point, wild camping for everyone in Australia is simply not realistic. The amount of trash left behind would be catastrophic and local communities would suffer.

For this reason, the Australia government institutes fines for wild camping ranging from $100 AUD to as high as $10,000 AUD . However, only if you get caught.

Our tip: Looking for more information on rules in regulations in Australia? Read our guide on whether it’s illegal to collect sand or shells at the beach. You might be surprised

DO I RECOMMEND WILD CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA EVEN THOUGH IT’S ILLEGAL?

Now we come to a sensitive subject. Do I recommend illegal wild camping? Yes and no.

In my opinion, it’s important to respect the place where you are camping and not disturb it in any way. If you follow a few rules and tips you can easily spot which place may be unsuitable for wild camping and which one is perfect and worth the risk.

In any case, I am obviously not condoning illegal behaviour nor am I recommending that you break the law as a tourist visiting Australia. Always keep in mind that you are a guest in this country and should respect the local laws.

I also cannot guarantee that wild camping will always work in Australia. No matter how perfect the camp spot may seem, you are always risking a fine if you camp somewhere illegally. If you aren’t prepared to pay if you get caught then don’t do it.

That being said here are some tips that I think are useful if you plan to camp in Australia.

SIGNS

In many places that might seem like good wild camping spots, there will be no-camping signs. This means you should definitely avoid camping here.

Unfortunately, just because you find a spot without a sign does not mean that you won’t risk a fine. Technically as long as it’s not explicitly stated that this is a free camping spot you can get a fine anywhere.

As a rule of thumb, you should try to avoid anywhere with a no-camping sign and still be cautious when picking somewhere without a sign.

WHAT COUNTS AS CAMPING?

This is where the lines get blurry. You are camping as soon as you are sleeping somewhere that is not a hotel, hostel or house where you’re supposed to be. If you’re spending the night in a car even if it’s not a campervan, you are camping.

If you sit and stay awake all night in the car you are not camping and should not be fined. Of course, I would not guarantee this to be true 100% all of the time. It always depends on the law enforcement officer should you be caught.

Heading to Tasmania for a budget-friendly camping adventure? Check out our list of 14 free campsites in Tasmania here.

WHICH VEHICLE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE FOR WILD CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA?

In general, a tent draws more attention than any type of car which means that it shouldn’t be your first choice if you want to camp for free.

In Australia, brightly coloured rental campervans are very common. Trying wild camping with a van from Wickedcampers, Britz or Apollo is probably the easiest way to get caught. They are far from inconspicuous and very easy to identify for locals and the police. If you plan to rent a campervan you should only try wild camping in very remote locations if possible.

Equally as difficult to hide are RVs, roof tents, caravans or anything that is made specifically for camping.

If you are planning to buy a car specifically for wild camping you should try to look for something that looks like a normal car. The most important thing is that you cannot see inside while avoiding colourful curtains or other giveaways. Little things that scream backpacker such as a surfboard on the roof, stickers or solar panels should be avoided.

A neat trick is to buy a van that used to be a utility vehicle and ideally still has a company name printed on the side. Blacked out windows will also help.

In the end, it all depends on where you camp. Parking on a residential street with a Wickedcamper or a roof tent is probably not a good idea. However, if you’re at a remote beach it will probably not matter what you are driving anyway. If someone sees a single lone car they will most likely be suspicious either way.

WHERE TO RENT A CAMPERVAN?

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WHAT TO AVOID WHILE WILD CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA

PARKING LOTS

Sleeping in a Woolies parking lot might seem like a good idea. Trust me, 99% of the time it’s not. This applies mostly to popular tourist destinations and big cities. You will not be the first backpackers coming up with this idea and a fine will be inevitable.

Parking lots often have private security and are well aware of the wild camping problem. You would have to be extremely lucky to get away with this.

While it was still widely possible to camp in parking lots a few years ago today, unfortunately, it is quite unrealistic.

PLACES THAT SEEM TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Beach parking lots. Just don’t do it.

If a place seems perfect it usually isn’t. This goes mostly for popular beaches or city centres. Chances are that people try to camp there every single night and you’ll have someone knocking on your window within a couple of hours.

Look for no-camping signs and say goodbye to the idea of sleeping right by the beach in Byron Bay. It’s probably not going to happen.

Click here to read about the only beach parking lots on the east coast where I’ve successfully managed to camp for the night.

NATURAL PARKS

Natural Parks are usually not a good idea to choose as your wild camping spot with a few exceptions. National Parks usually either charge an entry fee or a fee per night if you want to camp. They are notorious for having very high fines for illegal camping.

However, I have found that it varies greatly from park to park whether they are very strict with their regulations. You should avoid the more famous and touristy national parks and keep a lookout for large ones that aren’t the centre of attention for locals or tourists.

A good example is the Broadwater National Park in New South Wales. I have found that there’s a good little camp spot in the north of this park where no one I have spoken to has ever been fined.

If you want to find out more about this wild camping spot then click here. I have gathered my five favourite free camping spots on the East Coast for you to try.

Fall in love with this country’s beauty with these quotes about Australia.

SNEAKING INTO AN OFFICIAL CAMPSITE

A popular method is to wait until late at night and then simply drive into one of the large campsites or hostel parking lots as if you are supposed to be there. This takes a lot of confidence and is very illegal.

I do not recommend this trick although I have heard stories of it working in some cases. Backpackers in Airlie Beach or other popular beach towns would wait until just before midnight when the large campsites would open their gates for anyone who was out late with their car. It’s usually (but not always!) possible to simply drive in without IDing yourself.

The first thing in the morning they would leave again before the gates closed for the day.

Again, this is highly risky and can be considered theft. If you were to get caught you could face official charges which is why it’s simply not worth it.

Despite the stories you might hear just don’t try to sneak into an official campsite

Our tip: Hesitant to camp in a place without facilities? Not having the comforts of home is actually one of the top reasons why people don’t like camping. Luckily, I’ve got the solutions for you.

COOKING WHERE YOU PLAN TO CAMP

If you want to camp somewhere close to a town or any sort of civilisation make sure to eat somewhere else beforehand. If you’re unpacking chairs and firing up a gas stove there will be little doubt that you’re planning on sleeping in your car.

Make sure to stop somewhere else before you park at your final spot and eat there. This could be anywhere, even in places with no-camping signs. These signs usually only apply to actually sleeping in a car and not camping there during the day.

You should still be cautious though. Some police officers or security personnel might follow their own rules especially if you’re on private property.

Try to go for places with other backpackers and avoid private parking lots.

If you’ve picked a remote spot then it should be fine to have a quick dinner, although it’s always a risk. If someone complains just assure them that you will be leaving later on and pick another spot.

DRAWING ATTENTION TO YOURSELF

Do not leave any shoes or camping gear outside when you are wild camping. Try not to listen to loud music or have any lights on when it gets dark.

Try to park inconspicuously ideally amongst other regular cars.

All this can help but in the end, it also really depends on the car you drive.

LEAVING TRASH

If you’re breaking the Australian law by camping wild somewhere where you’re not supposed to you should at least do your best to respect your surroundings.

Leave no trace when you camp somewhere and make it seem as though you were never there. Don’t make too much noise and do not leave anything behind.

TIPS FOR WILD CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA

WATCH WHAT THE OTHERS DO

If you arrive somewhere that seems to be impossible for wild camping chances are that you won’t be the only one looking. Try to find other campervans and ask around about any known spots.

If you see a good amount of others camping somewhere then it’s probably okay to stay. Make sure to ask them if they’ve camped there before and go with your gut if you’re unsure about a spot.

EXPLORE

What makes a wild camping spot good is usually how hard it is to find. You need to find a place that is remote and not frequently patrolled by law enforcement.

A good bet are private side roads, dead ends, industrial areas and out-of-the-way places. To find these you might have to do some exploring. Drive around for a while and see what you can find. Make sure to do this both during the day and at night to be absolutely sure that it’s a good spot.

THE OUTBACK IS THE BEST PLACE FOR WILD CAMPING IN AUSTRALIA

The Outback is probably the easiest place to find a wild camping spot in Australia. Although this word encompasses a ridiculously large amount of land you can generalise it as being far less touristy than the coast.

Camping is a lot more relaxed and there’s a significantly lower chance of having to deal with a fine.

Unless you’re looking for amenities such as water, electricity or bathrooms there’s no real need to look for a campsite out here. You’ll be able to get by just fine using a combination of wild and free camping.

Of course, this is always dependant on what part of the outback you are travelling to.

RESIDENTIAL AREAS, YES OR NO?

Another popular strategy for backpackers seeking wild camp spots is to park in a residential area late at night. The effectiveness of this technique depends a lot on your vehicle and how inconspicuous it is.

My enthusiasm for this strategy depends a lot on how it is used. I do not like the idea of parking in front of someone’s house which I see as disrespectful in some cases.

What I think is a much better idea is to pick out houses that are either for rent or sale and obviously uninhabited. This requires some research and multiple trips around a neighbourhood but it’s a pretty safe bet.

Especially holiday towns by the seaside usually have many empty vacation rentals. If you park in front of one of them for a night you’re unlikely to be noticed if you’re quiet.

COMING LATE, LEAVING EARLY

Wherever you plan to park, some of the best advice is to come very late in the evening when it’s dark and ideally close to midnight. You should leave early as the sun comes up.

This way fewer people are likely to see you and you minimise your chances at being caught.

In addition to that, you should try not to leave your car if you can. This means climbing over the seats if possible and drawing as little attention to yourself as you can.

DON’T STAY TOO LONG

Try not to park in the same place for more than one or two nights. Depending on how risky the spot is you’re bound to get caught eventually and you don’t want to push your luck.

This is especially important for residential areas or side roads. Chances are someone will notice your car after a few days and you’ll get in trouble.

ASK FOR PERMISSION

This is probably the most important tip for wild camping in Australia. If you’re parking somewhere that is close to houses or businesses it’s always a good approach to just be honest.

You’ll be surprised how tolerant most of the locals are if you ask for permission to camp. Tell them that you only plan to stay for one night and that you’ll be gone by the early morning. Try not to bother anyone with music or lights and, of course, take any trash with you.

Even if you’re planning to sleep somewhere more remote it’s a good idea to ask any people that are passing whether they know about wild camping enforcements in the area. In most cases, it’s well-known whether there are nightly patrols or not.

Keep in mind though that just because a resident said it was okay to camp somewhere does not make it legal unless it is private property. Wild camping is always a risk and you should be cautious wherever you attempt to do it.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU CAN’T FIND A PLACE TO CAMP

Sometimes you just don’t have any luck with finding a camping spot. In this case, I would always advise you to bite the bullet and just camp at a budget campsite. Again, apps such as CamperMate can be very useful for this since they show you price categories in advance.

Most hostels let you camp in their parking lots overnight for a small fee, as do some gas stations (but make sure to ask first!).

If your budget is too tight for even one night of splurging there’s always the all-nighter option. This isn’t particularly fun but definitely possible. You’ll have to stay awake in your car all night or go to a late-night bar to pass time and stay awake as long as possible. Even if you are parking somewhere where camping is illegal you should not get a fine as long as you’re sitting in the driver’s seat and are awake.

If anyone questions you just assure them that you are not sleeping and are about to leave.

In the early morning, you can head to a public parking lot and try to get some sleep during the day. It’s far less likely to be fined for sleeping in a car during the day if you’re careful about it.

This method is far from ideal but could be a last resort if you’re desperate. Just be careful that you’re not driving long distances if you haven’t slept all night. Always prioritise your safety.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A FINE

If you’re caught wild camping in Australia the fine will most likely be very high. Your only chance at getting out of this situation is by convincing the officer issuing it to take pity on you and either lower the amount that needs to be paid or withdraw it entirely.

Some officers are very tolerant and nice about this and others are not (rightfully so). The number of illegal campers they have to deal with is incredibly high, especially in touristy places. It comes as no surprise that they will probably not feel sorry for you.

If you do get a chance to explain yourself, keep calm and most importantly be polite. You broke the law so there is no reason why you should not have to pay.

It’s always good to explain that you’d been driving for a long time and felt too tired to go on. Say that you were just resting for a few hours and didn’t plan to stay the entire night. There is no guarantee that this will help but it might in some cases.

In any case, apologise and pay the fine as soon as possible. It will only get more expensive if you don’t.

Do not attempt to leave the country without paying. Even on the slight chance that you will not be stopped at immigration, it’s not worth it. You’ll have to face even larger fines and possibly a ban on entering the country again in the future.

WHAT IF YOU’RE FINED EVEN THOUGH YOU WEREN’T SLEEPING IN YOUR CAR?

In some cases, it can be hard to tell whether someone is sleeping in a car or not. If you’re parking a campervan or RV in a public place overnight you should make sure that it’s easy to see inside. Otherwise, you could face a fine even if you’re not sleeping in the car.

If you do receive a fine even though you were not sleeping in your car you should contact the authorities who issued it. Explain your situation and the matter will hopefully be resolved soon. Again, do not try to escape the fine by simply ignoring it.

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