Camping in Australia: A Guide to Your Van Life Adventure

Renting a campervan or motorhome is incredibly popular in Australia. While the country is vast, and you might sometimes feel like you're alone in the world, there are rules to follow when experiencing van life in Australia.

No, freedom camping is not permitted in Australia. You can't just sleep anywhere in your van across the country. You must follow regulations determined by each state. In all cases, you'll need some form of authorisation to spend the night in your vehicle.

Australia is well-organised, and you'll find all types of sites specifically designed for you to spend your nights peacefully in your van.

You have several options for overnight stays during your Australian road trip:

- "Rest areas" : These are designated spots for rest during journeys. You often have the opportunity to spend the night here. These locations have very few amenities (often just a toilet), but the main advantage is that they're generally free. Keep in mind that stays are often limited to just one night.

- Councils campgrounds: These are paid campsites that are well-equipped, offering facilities like showers, toilets, shared kitchens, and barbecues. Expect to pay between $20 and $50 AUD per night, depending on the facilities and location.

- Private campgrounds: These are campsites owned by locals who provide space for travellers. They are generally more basic but are often cheaper, ranging from $15 to $40 AUD per night.

- National Park campgrounds: These campsites are often quite simple but are located within stunning national parks, making them ideal for an authentic Australian travel experience. You can often purchase passes that will help you save a good amount of money during your stay.

- Camping chains: There are two major camping chains across the country: BIG4 Holiday Parks and G'day Parks. These chains typically offer high-quality sites with all necessary infrastructure. It's common to find swimming pools and playgrounds for children, making these campgrounds often ideal for families.

Australia Camping Regulations by State

Camping rules can vary significantly between states and territories.

It's important to check the specific regulations for the area you're visiting. Here are links to official resources for each:

New South Wales

National Parks website: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Queensland

List of National Park campgrounds that can accommodate a van or campervan: https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks?type=campground&features=campingMotorHome,campingCampervan
To book your campgrounds in Queensland:
https://book.parks.qld.gov.au/
https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/camping

Victoria

Information on camping in Victoria: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/where-to-stay/camping/

South Australia

Camping rules in South Australia: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/camping-essentials
Camping sites in South Australia: https://southaustralia.com/plan-a-trip/places-to-stay/caravan-and-camping

Western Australia

Camping sites in Western Australia parks: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/activity/camping
Book a camping site in a Western Australia park:
https://www.wa.gov.au/service/sport-and-recreation/caravan-and-camping-services/book-campsite-one-of-western-australias-national-parks

Northern Territory

Information on camping in the Northern Territory: https://nt.gov.au/parks/camping
Where to camp in the Northern Territory: https://nt.gov.au/parks/camping/campgrounds

Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)

List of campgrounds in Canberra parks: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/where-to-stay

Tasmania

Camping sites in Tasmania parks: https://parks.tas.gov.au/where-to-stay