Free rest areas
Submitted: Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 06:32
ThreadID:
8273
Views:
2141
Replies:
9
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Liz
Would anyone like to comment on free rest areas(Available everywhere it seems except NSW!) Are they safe? I've had friends stay in them around Australia but then on the weekend I had a friend say he'd never stay in them, didn't feel safe. Is he just being paranoid or have other people had bad experiences too?We had planned to stay in them but with 3 girls I now feel a bit tentative!
Reply By: Member - Ross - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 07:54
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 07:54
Liz
I really don't think you'd have to much to worry about.
They can be a bit noisy if you're on a road traversed by semi's or especially road trains.
We generally prefer to
free camp when off the beaten track.Rosco
AnswerID:
36022
Reply By: Notso - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 08:06
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 08:06
If you are a bit concerned about your security the best thing to do is to pull in early say around 2.00pm and sit around for a while. It is a bit like a Galah landing in a pile of wheat, once you are there you will probably find a few others have been looking for just what you have found an pull in too. If no one arrives just up
camp and head off.
AnswerID:
36023
Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 12:48
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 12:48
Liz,
Paranoia kicks in anywhere, as said above they would be pretty ok in my opinion, Oz is still a pretty good place to pull off the road and
camp anywhere but the big cities.Laterally Literal
Seriously Cerebral
AnswerID:
36045
Reply By: Willem - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 13:04
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 13:04
We spent 5 years
on the road camping in as many freebies as we could find. Never had a problem and met some nice people along the way.
Some people are paranoid about camping on the side of the road and maybe on the very busy highways there many be a 1% justification but on the whole Aus is the safest place in the world to
camp by the side of the road. Some of the free
camp sites have hot showers and clean
toilets etc. Remember that virtually every town in this country has a Rotary, Apex or
Lions park with BBQ's,
toilets and water etc.
There are numerous freebies in NSW and there is also a couple of books published on this subject. Do a search on Google and look for
Free Camp Sites/Rest Areas in Australia.
Enjoy...the country is out there waiting for you!!!
Cheers,
Willem
Always going somewhere
AnswerID:
36047
Follow Up By: Member - Liz- Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:19
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:19
Thanks Willie for the advice and info.I'll definitely look those sites up!
FollowupID:
26018
Reply By: TonyY - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 13:09
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 13:09
The free sites are a great idea, but only if they are maintained and not just put there and forgotten.
On a recent trip to the
Kimberley I stopped to have a look at a few of them (didn't
camp), and in every case there were piles of rubbish lying around, overflowing
bins and overflowing, filthy
toilets. Not very impressive!
AnswerID:
36049
Reply By: Member - Des Lexik(SA) - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 13:24
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 13:24
Liz, We often
camp in the freebies and have never had a problem. The
Grey Brigade generally are looking for their campspots any time after 2.00pm and we joke about them getting in first to find the best "spot" By 4.00pm, you will always find another
campsite with company if that's what we wish.
Don't tell anyone else but we often find an old roadworks quarry and
camp in them. The are often off the road enough that no-one can see you there, they are level, clean and have piles of firewood stacked where they cleared the site. They are our prefered
camp site. But please keep it quiet.
PS If you think anyone is hanging about, just run out side with your face covered in face cream and hair in rollers. That should scare them off LOLne cede malis
AnswerID:
36057
Follow Up By: TonyY - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 16:47
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 16:47
LOL, I don't think posting on a public
forum is a good way to keep things to yourself! ;)
It's a good idea though, I recently found one of these and stayed the night, the only downside is being woken at sparrow fart by the
grader firing up!
FollowupID:
26015
Follow Up By: Member - Liz- Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:17
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:17
Thanks Des.Your reply certainly brought a smile to my face.I'll keep your SECRET camping place in mind. By the way cream on the face and hair rollers never puts my husband off,what am I doing wrong or is he just deperate?Lol
FollowupID:
26017
Reply By: Wayne - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 16:23
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 16:23
Liz
I always use the
free camp areas. Last year it was the
Kimberley and this year the
Flinders Ranges. Have always camped where there are other fellow travellers and have never had a problem. On some nights there have been as many as 20 other vehicles camped.
The RACV website (and probably the other state auto clubs) have strip maps, that can be downloaded, of Aust main highways, which indicate where the rest areas are.
Happy camping.
AnswerID:
36078
Follow Up By: Member - Liz- Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:22
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:22
Thanks everyone.I'm rreally glad that everyone uses the free sites and feels o.k. about doing that as
well.I figure if they are free and safe we may as
well use them-means we can make our holiday longer c'oz we're not paying for accomodation or at least spend it on some liquid refreshments!
FollowupID:
26020
Reply By: Wizzy - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 18:19
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 18:19
Hi Liz,
Wouldn't worry too much about free rest areas ... as others have said, they are pretty safe. We have used them a lot and never had problems. You may like to
check out my website's caravanning pages which lists some of the rest areas we have used, complete with photos.
Go to www.damor.net and click on Caravanning Capers.
Dennis
Westport 18ft full 'van
Falcon AU
sedan
www.damor.net
AnswerID:
36096
Follow Up By: Member - Liz- Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 23:09
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 23:09
Wow Dennis!! Impressive website and very informative.Gave us a very realistic idea of what the free sites are like. Thanks very much for sharing so much!!!
FollowupID:
26050
Reply By: Member - Melissa - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2003 at 12:20
Tuesday, Nov 04, 2003 at 12:20
Liz,
Free
rest area's are great but just like CVP's and the like, there are good ones and bad ones. During peak holiday season, especially up north, its unlikely you'd find yourself camping overnight alone anyway. Hubby and I have a few "rules" that we've created over the years: 1) never
camp at a free
rest area within say 40km's of town, especially on a Fri or Sat night when the local hoons are likely to be out cruising. Exceptions are if "town" is really just a tiny outback settlement or if the
rest area is clean, maintained and
well patronised. 2) have a good look around before setting up. If you don't feel comfortable, move on. 3) If possible, always try to
camp as far back from the road as possible...passing trucks can be awfully noisy, and 4) Never
camp in a dedicated truck
rest stop area...you won't get any sleep.
:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
AnswerID:
36172
Follow Up By: Member - Liz- Tuesday, Nov 04, 2003 at 13:33
Tuesday, Nov 04, 2003 at 13:33
Thanks Melissa for your advice,sounds very sensible!
FollowupID:
26078