Free Camping

Talk to people as you move around as well as check the net.

Some camp site will only cost you $10 a night so you can use them from time to time to stock up on water and charge your batteries, if you're on the coast you will pay.

There is plenty of work for chippies west of the divide. My cousin couldn't keep up with the work in the Camooweal area because once you get stared on the big runs you will be kept busy. Just ask at the pub.

Regards

The senior partner and I just got back from a 7 month free camping trip using Camps 5 for a guide. We had no trouble at all from a safety point of view. ( Will be leaving again next year about the same time as you.) I would suggest if the kids are not used to bush camping hand held 2 way radios might be a good idea. If you are chasing big dollars for work in the building trade any town in the mining area's need tradie's. In these area's you will need to pay dollar's for accommodation. Station work would probably include camp site for free.
Best of luck and have an enjoyable time.

There are many free camps around the country and there are now several publications giving details of them and where to find them. Suggest you have a look in the ExplorOz shop and get at least one of the current publications. Camps 6 is probably the most widely used.

The quality, size etc of free campsites varies greatly, but the bigger ones tend to be well used and have at least a toilet. Some states have better official free camps. As you get away from the coast you will have a better chance of finding good sites, though they may be away from the towns.

We have used free camps for many years and have never had any safety issues. The rule of thumb is to camp well out of town and out of sight of the road if at all possible.

Smaller inland towns often have quite good basic caravan parks that dont charge too much - maybe $10 - $15 per night, so that should make it easier on your budget.

Cheers,

Val

Hi Travel Bug

Much safer in most free camps (particularly if not near large towns) than in any larger town caravan park.

Some areas are harder to find free and low cost camping than others; coastal and resort areas often impossible, inland and rural areas, usually plentiful. As said, get Camps Australia Wide 6.

My unfinished website Australia So Much to See has lots of hints on how to find a good campsite, as well as links to on line free camps listings. I am slowly developing lists of free and low cost opportunities as well. If you have solar power and good water capacity, you can camp out indefinitely in areas where such places can be found.

Many inland towns have done it hard, and have Shire or community run low cost or free camp grounds to encourage visitors. These are the friendly towns and places who need our custom l chose to visit where possible.

I have a section on finding work - look for the link in Popular Articles.

Motherhen

Past 4 years been into 1 caravan park. Plenty of $5 a night or donation camp sites. Good topographic mapping is essential to good free camping. The 1:250K Natmap is a good start. Recreation reserves and many show grounds are free or low cost. We have good solar setup and carry own washing machine. We are setup with everything needed and dont need caravan parks or external power.

Thank you all for your responses, it has been a great help. See you on the road one day.