Are you allowed to set up a tent/van at Australian "Rest Stops"?

Are you allowed to set up a tent/van at Australian "Rest Stops"?

10/27/2016 2:39:50 PM

Resting Tired Travellers vs Free Campers

Roadside rest areas are intended for tired travellers and not for campers. Indeed most of them are signposted with "no camping" signs, as are most urban and suburban parking areas. Some rest areas allow overnight stays, and the longest one can stay is 24-hours. The thin line between a tired traveller and a camper lies in the fact that a traveller will leave to continue on their journey after sleeping to rest, whereas a camper is likely to stay for longer.

You mention Western Australia, well here’s a governmental brochure on rest areas (in PDF) which clearly states:

Western Australia 24-hours rest areas no camping

For more information, here is a great webpage from The Grey Nomad with links to governmental sites about rest areas and regulations, one per state:

VIC: click here

NSW: click here

Queensland: click here

SA: click here

TAS: click here

NT: click here

WA: click here

Different states have different regulations. This is what the grey nomad has to say about sleeping in rest areas:

While it is unlikely that an exhausted motorist would be reprimanded for taking a break from the road during a long journey, there are nonetheless rules governing the way rest areas and heavy vehicle areas should be used in each state and territory.

Clearly, the local commercial caravan parks would not be amused if scores of grey nomads set up a long-term encampment at a rest area. Travellers can be fined for overstaying time limits of for camping at a rest area illegally.

My Experience

Having just come back from a road trip down under, I’ve seen many camper vans and caravans staying overnight in rest areas, but have never seen people sleeping in tents aside from a couple with a tent mounted on the top of their car. Bottom line is: it’s harder to prove you are a tired traveller if you pull out extensive camping gear for the night in a rest area. To be sure check state/county regulation as these apply regarding camping restrictions.

1/30/2016 11:50:11 PM

Unless there is a sign , usually placed by the local council or national parks, that specifically states no camping its highly unlikely any one will care how long you camp in a road side stop .

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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