New to Camping - Need Help!

To me, my interpretation of "bush camping" is away from civilization and the crowds in caravan parks etc.
I generally camp on a beach or near river and always off the main road, so never hear other vehicles and not too many other travelers stay in the general area.

But then there some fantastic beach camping area's that are now becoming so well known and getting more and more people staying there, enough to warrant having a ranger or Camp Officer collect fees there.
But that's life you just move on somewhere else, where you can call 'home' while your living there.
Image Could Not Be FoundMaîneÿ . . .

Hi Melissa

I define bush camping as (no showers or toilets) and no alloted sites. The further from major cities you get the more chance of finding spots you may have to yourself. I find the east coast always seems to have more people looking for that private spot. You have more chance of finding a lone spot inland - along a river etc. Also the time of the year makes a difference too ie school holidays & long weekends are often share times.

We have been in a few spots and have had them to ourselves (usually because of bad weather) yet other times have sharred them with hundreds.

Dropped in to Burren Junction bore last week only to find 30 other vans & trailers there. Quite a shock for us as we haven't been there for 30 years and often had the place to ourself.

Keep reading this forum and you will find mention of some "secret spots" occasionally

Perhaps if you mention areas you wish to explore you might get some suggestions

Di

Hi Melissa,
You may want to have a look at the menu bar at the top of the page, in Articles/Camping. This and the many responses from the experienced campers & travellers should help you out considerably.

Rob

There are plenty of spots to set up camp without upsetting anyone. Look for the obvious, no camping signs etc. I never camp on land that clearly belongs to someone. There is a lot of crown land along rivers such as the Murrumbidgee. Usually you follow a dirt road towards the river and may have to go through a gate. If it's private then there will usually be a sign saying that, otherwise it's probably ok to camp there. We used to camp like that when we were kids, also a lot of the best swimming holes are accessible that way. Ask the locals, because the tracks can be hard to find. The further out west you go, the easier it is to set up a camp without offending anyone. The golden rule is to leave it as you found it. Unfortunately there are some who don't follow the rule and they just wreck it for everyone. Mike

Hi Melissa,

Bush camping covers a fair range of possibilities but generally means camping away from facilities - where it is then important not to leave any mess behind. If you go to the online-shop on this site you can purchase a copy of Camps Australia that will show you hundreds of free or low cost camps. Some of these will be bush camps.

Around more populated areas it can be hard to get a camp without having to share. But as you go inland it gets easier to find a spot. Also some of the bigger properties allow camping for a fee, and if you are not in school holidays you may be able to get out on your own. You do need to be careful about not trespassing, and a test there would generally be if you go through a fenceline (through a gate, across a grid etc) you are probably on private land.

Enjoy camping, its a great way to experience all that is out there.

Cheers,

Val

Bush camping does not necessarily guarrantee you will have the place to yourself.
Nor does it mean there will be no ammenities available.

For instance, camping in one of the gorges in the Flinder's Ranges can be classed as bush camping.

During non holiday periods you may well have the place to yourself but, during school or public holiday periods you can almost bet on another group of people being camped nearby. This is fine providing both parties keep any noise levels to a minimum.

Also, in many National Park areas in most States, basic toilet facilities are provided and expected to be used, but I guess it is up to individuals whether they do so.
Again in some designated camping areas within the Flinders Ranges National Park, the toilet facilities are excellent in design and cleanliness and why wouldn't you use such facilities.

Now, having stated the above, there are also many areas during travelling, that will have no one else within cooee and that is special.
We have slept under a zillion stars at the "Pebbles" on our way up to Darwin and Back and not another person around. We have camped at Cullyamurra Waterhole and had one camping site to ourselves and even though other sites along the waterhole may have had campers "in residence" each wouldn't know others were around unless one went looking.

You may camp at the William Creek camping area across the road from the pub and have excellent shower and toilet facilities and other campsites set up, but I would still class this as bush camping.

We will soon be camping in the Gawler Ranges National Park, then out on the vast expanse of the Nullarbor in a secluded location provided by another member on this site, but whether we will have the areas to ourselves? Don't know but I'll let folk know on our return.
(Only 14 more sleeps)


Bill.

National Parks in NSW publish a "best bush map" for around six bucks that list every area that allows camping and what is available such as water etc. A great start and I'm sure other states would publish similar things. The more remote you go the less chance of being surrounded by campers. Try not to go on long weekends or school holidays and your usually right.

The camping books really are great. Since we're in WA we purchased one called "Camping Guide to Western Australia". In the past we have driven across Australia without going on a forum or referring to camping books etc and as a result probably missed some great spots we could have stopped at rather than overnighting pretty much on the side of the road.

The road maps are also a useful reference of places where you are allowed to camp as well, some proper places in National Parks and others not much more than a truck stop.

I guess bush camping means different things to different people as does camping (som camp in a tent some in a caravan etc).

Bush camping is the way to go Melissa, but one thing is for sure, you need to be well set up for it.
There in lies a whole new set of threads that you will probably go through.
But, you won't regret it!
Ray

Hi Melissa,
Bush camping is good and others have answered your question.
Just from experience, the first 1 or two night camps involve getting into your routine so pull into camp to give you time to do it in daylight .
Have boxes well marked with a list of what's in them so that you aren't rummaging thru everything, I keep it in my Diary.
We go serious bush camping where you have to take everything including fuel, food & water.
Take a good tarp to erect over the camp fire for shelter for both you and the fire it makes the world of difference if it pours.
There is a place on this site where we answered the question " What would you not leave home without when camping?" Have a look at that it's very helpful.
Take care, safe travels.
Bye Ma.

Hi Melissa

The best part about camping in Australia is being out under the stars in the outback far away from the sounds of habitation. Whether with a tent, camping on the ute or caravan, we have always enjoyed finding a place for ourselves. This is easy when in the outback and remote areas. Old gravel puts/dumps/scrapes are ideal - flat, clean and usually tucked away in the bush. Tracks along water courses are another good option. Old roads are sometimes accessible and a bit away from the new road with a screening of vegetation. If it is a minor road, there is usually little or no traffic after dark, so you don;t need to get far away from the existing road.

While Camps Australia Wide 5 is the most popular publication Australia wide, for NT and WA, the Jan Holland Priceless Campsites and Rest Areas is far more comprehensive. We fall back on the books if we can't find anything for ourselves and the day is getting on. Often with places listed in Camps 5 you will not be alone, but sometimes you will be the only campers there.

Avoid camping close to towns, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

As aforesaid, leave not trace, and you shouldn't have any problems.

Motherhen

Hi Melissa

My wife and I are by no means experts at camping or travelling, as we live in the bush so to speak. about halfway between Alice Springs and Broome as the crow flies. When we go "bush camping", we just take our tucker, a bit of water, and our swags. Wherever we pull up, and there are no sealed roads around here, is where we camp for the night.

For toilets we use a shovel, and for cooking we always clear some spinifex away for a clearing, and make a small cook fire. The chances of other traffic simply do not exist, as there are rarely even any tracls, but then we know this area.

I guess that could be another version of bush camping.

Cheers

Marc

Bush camping means different things to differnt people. To some it is just no facilities (maps often use it this way) to others it means no one else for 50km in any direction. Basically if you want to camp where there isn't a bunch of others you either need to go when there is no one else around or go fairly remote. If you are remote there may not be any facilities including drinking water.

Just about everywhere will be crown, private or aboriginal land. In crown areas including national parks etc it depends on the amount of traffic. The larger the people pressure the more restrictions there will be. In other more remote parks it is just find a spot. Some places like Bell Gorge have "private" camping areas that are well defined but well seperated. Some tracks have an easment that you can camp in. This is not universal. For example a PAR does not give you any camping rights. The PAR is just a public track that goes through private land. Aboriginal land is similar. You usually need a permit and that outlines the restrictions.

If you docamp somewhere it is good manners to:
1) stay away from stock watering areas ie 500m at least,
2) take your rubbish with you,
3) don't damage any building or equipment no matter if it is a ruin or not. Chances are it is the owners ancestors old house or windmill and they get really annoyed when someone does something to them.

Steve