Free Camping

Hi,

These books are a good reference, but do have some downsides. Once you could drive off the track a bit as happy hour approached and select a great secluded spot to spend the night - just you and the stars and the quiet of the bush. No more though - every traveller seems to have a copy of the book and in more populated areas you'll be lucky to find room to throw a swag. If you want company, fine, and if you plan on basing yourself at such a site and touring around van-free that would probably work ok too. (I understand there is an informal caretaking service for example where visitors to the Bungles may leave their vans in the care of other travellers and travel the last 50 km unencumbered.)

On the Qld coast there are some good ones, but stay is restricted to a couple/few days, so committed caravaners stay their couple of days and move on to the next for a couple of days, then on to the next (or previous)....

Enjoy the trip - sounds great

John

Live4theweekends, we have generally found good camping spots in Australia by ourselves, like old gravel pits, tracks into bushland etc. You soon get a feel for finding good spots. These are good for overnight stops when travelling, rather than staying put. Tasmania was a bit different, and you need Camps3 to find the designated free camp sites, and you could radiate out on day trips from them.

Also unlike Tasmania, if you leave the caravan to go touring (unless it is just up a track to a lookout) you may find you have to back track a considerable distance, hence our caravan follows us almost everywhere on the mainland.

Using Camps, you will often not be alone (you will be in good company), but it is something we have to fall back on when we can't find somewhere nice. Also some of the spots listed are good for longer stays (but not that many). Some are only small parking bays in areas when there isn't any other options. Make sure you are not relying on the last spot before a destination - it may be totally unsuitable for you or full.

It is better to get out of sight, but we have had no problems (apart from traffic noise) just pulling off the edge of the road.

A nice one coming out of the Ocean Road drive, Camps3 has a lovely spot listed as Saw Pit in the Mt Clay forest not far east of Portland. It is free, large and so nice that friends of ours travelling planned to stay there for Christmas and were still there 2 weeks later.

!MPG:25!

Lake Burbury In Tassie you can get a van there + plenty of fire wood. (close to Strahn)

Longreach Qld 4 days free close to town. Get also a Hema rd Atlas & look for the green camping symbol. Lots of 24hrs+ stops in Qld.

I also look for rivers when they cross the highway there is usually a track either side, OK for O/N.

Re Camps Australia Wide - always check the updates on their website before travelling. There are changes happening all the time. Some sites close others have reduced services e.g. toilets. Suggestions are often made for alternatives.

Hi there, We are planning on travelling from Brisbane in August up to Broome and WA coast, via Katherine and the Kimberelys and plan to do all or mostly free camping as well. We are new to this and trying to gather as much info as possible so it was great when I stumbled upon your enquiry on the forum. I too was concerned about leaving our camper at campsites to go and explore for the day etc. so it was great to read some of the replies. Hope you have a great trip
The Thommos