The number of travellers camping in highway rest areas is a matter of growing concern to the authorities in New South Wales and elsewhere.
In certain ‘hotspots’, such as the Yelgun rest stop on the Pacific Highway between Byron Bay and Tweed Heads, tents are often in evidence.
The New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) says it is worried that people who camp in highway rest areas may be denying space to those who genuinely need to recover from driver fatigue.
“I understand that if someone pulls up in the middle of the night, or late one afternoon, and they need to manage fatigue, they may be there for a few hours,” RMS network general manager, Mike Cush, told the ABC. “But a few hours is not consistent with a number of days, and having washing out or tents pitched.”
Byron Mayor, Simon Richardson, said the council had initially requested van packers be allowed to utilise rest areas, even for a very short period of time, to reduce the problems of illegal camping in Byron’s residential areas.
However, he sees it could cause other issues.
“Obviously, what we don’t want is for people who want to use it to get some sleep so they can drive safely, [to be] denied that access,” he told the ABC. “If it ever gets to that point, clearly something needs to be done.”
* Have you seen people pitching tents in rest areas? Have you ever been unable to stop and rest because a rest area has been full? Do you sleep in rest areas? Comment below.
Travelling in Tasmania about 12 mths ago, we decided to stay in the council approved camping area just out of Sorell.
It is for “self contained” vehicles/caravans only and with a $7.50 per per day fee is very reasonable, close to town for shopping as well as interesting places to visit and not that far from Hobart.
This however didn’t stop about 5 tents being set up on the grassed area (almost under the “No Camping” sign), by English speaking back packers.
The point is though that I think this is probably what upsets councils and those that try to do the right thing.
They all got their just deserts though when the automatic sprinkler system kicked in at about 2 AM.
Cheers Sundy
I personally have never seen tents at a roadside rest area, and we have been traveling full-time for 7 years. We have however seen them at grounds where it says no camping and self contained vehicles only..
what does tell us, more and bigger rest bays are needed Ben
very common at the Yelgon stop.
Have you ever thought that they may have stopped to manage their fatigue. These people have the same right to rest as you and me
Every one needs to rest, and after all they are in a rest areas.
We have a self contained carvan, and use these areas when we need a rest.
Add to my comment, If they drive on and have an accident and kill your mother, father or a sister or brother, you would be the first to say ” why didn’t they stop for a rest”.
There is a big difference between resting and camping, do not have a problem with them resting in a roadside rest area as that is what they are designed for (as the name implies) but not for camping illegally.
As soon as someone sees a temt they will think you are camping when in fact you may just be resting from a long drive but don’t have the ability to sleep in your car.
resting and camping 2 different words
Travelling home from the Queensland border to Sydney recently we decided to spend the night at a rest stop when it got dark. But to our dismay we found No Campng Signs followed by the warning Penalties Apply so we kept driving for about two hours longer than we should have looking for a rest stop that didn’t have such a sign but without luck. We ended up sleeping outside a petrol station by the side of the road in our vehicle – a potentially unsafe and insecure location. Whilst we have no problems with the authorities cracking down on people who “camp” for days at rest stops why scare off people who genuinely need to sleep and recover from fatigue before continuing the next morning? The signs seem to be just a blanket ban on staying overnight with no clarification whatsoever as to any limits. This seems ludicrous in the face of RMS, Police and NSW government efforts to cut down on the road toll urging people to Rest, Revive, Survive and particularly so on what has often been described as the worst road in the country for accidents and fatalities – the Pacific Highway. Every rest stop we pulled up at with this sign was empty and now cannot be used to rest and recover. My letter to the RMS asking for some clarification has got no response several weeks later. It is hoped that organisations like the Grey Nomads take up this matter with RMS as an urgent safety issue which affects all travellers.
Yes you drove 2 hours down the road and past several van parks and commercial camping areas. Don’t get on here saying that the blame to be put back on the authoraties for fatigue related accidents. Put your hand in your pocket and stop compiling about the problems in which people like you helped create
Well said
As several people have pointed out these are rest areas, not camping areas. This means that yes you can stop and recover, and yes it would be foolish to continue on and risk an accident. The intention is to stop those that would stay for longer than a rest break.
It also amazes me that any one would want to camp in these areas given the amount of traffic passing during the night. These sites are also used by truck drivers who have to have a mandated break. Unfortunately a lot of casual users tend to obstruct trucks that need more space to park.
Parking next to a refrigerated truck is hardly likely to give you a restful sleep.
I think this is a funny conversation. Oh, the hierarchy of the road. So, while Australia invites, begs entices tourists from home interstate, from abroad to spend their value as they travel. The holiday classic of many tourists is a van similar to a Hiace or alike, they are, because they are not self sufficient, needing toilet facilities, water, overnight rests,
tables to eat at in a public place so they might stretch, enjoy a break, stop for the night so they are not run off & pushed off the road by the barrage of tailgating trucks claiming ownership on the highways & rest stops at night.
Dear me….where can an ordinary human pull up safely & expect to be treated respectfully?
That’s right… van parks (most) shut shop at 6 or 7pm.
Need to be organised! Lets face it youngsters are not grey & they are not organised. They tend to be on smaller budgets & well a little bit more care free. It’s all about life experience.
The country, the states & the towns especially Byron Bay love to take their money but openly despise them by their malevolent approach.
Interestingly enough, i came into Yelgun late one night last week. One spot left, exhausted! The place i was going to stay for the few days i was there shut shop at 7pm.
I lived in the area for many years, never been up to Yelgun at night. To be respectful of ‘tourist season’ along with the benevolent desire of the Byron Mayor, to create a space of what i remember reading in a newspaper article a free camping space, i don’t recall the exact wording, for people in vans to have the ability to use that facility. A lovely wish & an invitation! I pulled up in my ute, sometime between 11 & 1. One spot left, reversed back.
watched 2 police cars doing multiple turns around the carpark with lights on. ‘Wow this is a bit heavy, they must be looking for drug dealers or stolen cars or something. Must be really bad. I stayed in my ute tray. A 54 year old single woman, with her dog. I’ll just mind my own business.
‘Wow!’ I used the toilet when i arrived. When i woke, i used the toilet again. Cleaned my face & teeth & left.
Today my elderly neighbour collecting mail rang me to tell me i had an infringment notice from Byron Bay Police. ‘What could i have done?’ Incidently, i have not had a speeding or parking fine for 10 years at least. Probably longer. I don’t run people off the road or tailgate people. I usually drive 5-10kms below the speed limit because thats right, it’s a maximum speed limit in the conditions.
i received a blessing of a $108 fine for parking where heavy vehicles are supposed to be parked. So did countless others all parked back up against the footpath.
In the dark, tired & needing a sleep, i did not see any signs.
i only knew i needed sleep & since the only other option was sitting upright in my seat till the sun came out hours later & legally sleeping on the beach in daylight or in the back of my ute, i did what most people do… sleep.
Given that i went there to do the right thing. On what i clearly misread as a beautiful intention by the Byron Shire to respect all humans, not just the affluent & busy. To honor those coming to the area to spend their money & move on to the next town & do the same. That while there are often 4 people in 1 of ‘those’ vans & only 2 in a huge gas guzzling motor home or caravan towed vehicle or a truck that is passing through, those 4 people get up go to Byron Bay shop at Woolworths & other stores. Spend their money & go back to Yelgun.
What is most interesting to me is, if it is such a prolific problem, so dangerous that trucks could not use the facilty why the police didn’t move people along, as well as fining them & me? When i phoned, apparently they used to move people. They were clearly more intent on fining people than creating space for the heavy vehicles. I can promise when you are tired, any vehicle is heavy! So for the privilege of spending a few hours of ‘honest sleep’ in safety, as a woman travelling on her own in a vehicle. I was self sufficient except for the use of a public toilet, $108 for a few hours a ‘Yelgun Roadside Motel’.
Stop Revive survive saves lives. Especially at night when you are almost run done by heavy vehicles claiming the road & the rest stops.
Every life is sacred! Especially the 10 or so vehicles that parked backwards against the curb. Size of a truck? Couples? Families? Friends? Single woman & her dog?
Going grey a little. Just don’t belong to your club.
There is a great rest stop ‘the Creek’, between Grafton & Coffs. It’s a dedicated vehicle stop… yes a truck stop/ food stop/fuel stop. Tents, vans, trucks, $4 showers, lovely compassionate staff who know when you walk into the bathroom at 10pm with eyes hanging out from driving, you are hopefully going around the back to camp on the grass.
They have easy to read, well lit & located signs telling people not to park or camp in a particular area. Guess what, no one was camped there.
It is clear there needs to be a solution.
A bigger space at Yelgun. When an area draws the number of tourists each year as Byron Bay, it is largely a tourist driven town, tourists paying extreme rates for tent sites in most parks especially in peak season, everyone relies on the odd free camping. Lets face it, Minyon Falls is at least an hour off the highway & the free camp there would be a bit hairy to drive to if you are desperate for a nap.
It’s time Byron Bay stopped whining & came good with some free camping , re-sign Yelgun with signage visable from the revenue raising campaign at Yelgun.
Well done Byron Police!