Aussie tradition ... free camping has been around for hundreds of years
After five long years of studying the free camping phenomenon, a leading Australian academic has announced his verdict … it’s an unstoppable force!
Southern Cross University researcher Rod Caldicott has just finished his doctorate on the issue, and he says regulators are simply failing to keep pace with the new breed of travellers whose rigs oftem have all the mod-cons and who did not need powered sites or other facilities.
Dr Caldicott, a lifelong camper whose family ran caravan parks and who dreamed up his PhD subject in a rooftop tent by the side of the road, said the numbers of grey nomads was rising and not all want to stay in crowded and expensive tourist parks.
“There’s now a whole bunch of people who are permanently on the road, living virtually full-time in RVs,” he told the Courier Mail. “I think people have a right to choose where and how they spend their time and money … not everyone wants to be corralled into miniature suburbs.”
Dr Caldicott said TV commercials promoted campervan travel as free and easy but when travellers pulled up at beaches, public parks and roadsides, “local government is putting them in wheel clamps”.
While not advocating all camping be free, he says many travellers would be happy to pay “10 bucks a night” to camp on public or private land.
Dr Caldicott says ‘freedom camping’ had been around for hundreds of years and it was only when caravan parks sprang up in the 1930s and 1940s, that authorities began regulating camping.
And, he told the Courier-Mail that while itinerant travellers might not visit theme parks and fancy restaurants, they still bought groceries, fuel and other supplies, and contributed significantly to local economies.
Countries such as the US and China had recognised freedom camping, he said, and Australia needed to do likewise by introducing national guidelines.
It can only be decisions made by local areas as this country is so diverse and unique. That is why we want to be amongst it. Also need a new name as a lot more of us are NOT grey nomads, rather “permanently travelling”
“Local Government locking RV’s in Wheel Clamps.” Come on.
This was outlawed years back, as I under stand.
When did the good Dr.Caldicott Gain his PHD????????
If my transport is road legal and Registered. I have the same rights to park in a public street as the next local overnight.
Is my registration any different from the next person.
Do they own the local BITUMEN as well.
Not quite right Jim, In Qld the motor traffic act restricts “long vehicles” ie over 7.5 mtrs long and this includes caravans and tow vehicle to parking in a built up area to 1 hour, unless the local council authorizes otherwise.. Whilst I have not checked I imagine other states have similar rules. I don’t necessarily agree with this , but that’s life in the the land if the free.
Hi John George,
I am not referring to built up aeras Eg the GoldCoast or holiday points.
Some quite street near a reserve or park in a quite town,where I am not disturbing anyone for a quite nights sleep. I don’t even put the pop top up. I am fully self contained and leave Zero behind. Gone by 7am.
except for costal areas there is plenty of ‘freedom’ and low cost camping in the Australian outback. Many small communities welcome Grey Nomads and the money they bring to their towns.- Theodore QLD being one example.
Last night we gladly paid $10 to stay o/night in Franklin Tas. Whilst we were there we spent $92 on Meals,tourist stuff and coffee.I don`t believe in “free” camps. They are too often abused by the village idiot traveller and believe me there is a few around.
My friend was quoted 99 dollars for 1 night for 3 people in a powered site school holidays.while most people do the right thing in free camps it only takes one grub with a noisy geny and loud obnoxious behaviour to spoil it for others. If councils did charge a small fee for over night day spots it would be well appreciated.
Been on the road 5 months now on a year long trip. Found some great community run places for $ 10 a night with power but few and far between. Bigger towns and cities are most unfriendly towards campers. Tired of being told by rangers and council workers that we can’t free camp even when we stop for the day at parks and even car parks as we always respect and abide by any posted signs. Sick of overpriced crowded and higly over rated caravan parks that charge the same fee for us in a campervan as for large rigs that use significantly more resources in power water and space. So we avoid them and take our business to towns that are friendly to campers. . Agree that freedom camping should be a basic right as suggested and practiced overseas. Good to see some debate and spotlight on this issue.
Many towns and cities have signs at points of entry and public toilets imposing a blanket ban on even parking in legitimate parking spots and sleeping in a vehicle. Eg Katherine in the NT, Cooktown in QLD, Kalbarri in WA to name a few. Obviously Councils bowing to the pressure from caravan parks. Is this legal? Would like to see this challenged. The majority of responsible campers should not be penalised for the actions of a small minority. We pick up rubbish at any site we stay at as do many other people. Yes to freedom camping being enshrined in law. Will make caravan parks more competitive too and benefit all travellers.
‘No’ to the first part of your question & ‘yes’ to the second part.
You better believe it! There are some really great spots to free camp but some Councills think we should all stay in caravan parks. If they would only think it through they’d see that lots of shopkeepers benefit from us stopping in free camp areas not just the park owner. Shut the free camps down and we bypass your town. It’s blacklisted.
I would like to see the statistics on the numbers of both families and single people, having no option but to sleep in their car / Van. for long periods. Look around in your local shopping centres car parks and you will get a idea of the real need. Cars full of their total possesions.
We visited Byron Bay only last year and parked in a 1 hour metered parking bay near the beach with our 6.9mt motorhome. I paid the perscribed fee for parking and within minutes was told by a local parking ranger to move on. “Sorry, no motorhomes or caravans are allowed in this area” (and no signage to support this rule), he gave me 5 minutes to move on or be fined. Some heated words where exchanged and I vowed NEVER to return to Byron Bay and No refund was given or offered and when I asked was told very bluntly “Tough Titty”.
I stayed at lake Indoon WA for more than 3 nights and most of the time I was the only one there but someone had to run off to the council and complain.The ranger was pleasant and just asked for me to move on.I was spending about $200 a week in the area and the cleaners said since I had been there there had been no theft or vandalism .
Wow, I had no idea local governments & snooty people could make nomad lifestyle so difficult. I’m about to be homeless and rigging out my street van to sleep in till I find a place. Now I’m worried.