Are you allowed to set up a tent/van at Australian "Rest Stops"?
Over the Christmas area my wife and I (kinda off the bat), decided to go for a 2 day camping trip to the "Southern Forests" region of Western Australia. However, each site we checked ended up being full. (I guess not surpising over the holidays, though the one that was miles down a gravel road did surprises me.) So it was getting late, and was getting tired. So we pulled in to a Rest Area, (Marked P) to make a plan. It was about 20km from the nearest town. We spotted an alcove where it looked like someone had camped before, and said "right, we are stopping here."
People sleep in their cars in the rest stops all the time. My car was too small and we had much better camp beds. So we set up the tent. It was nice enough, and we were not confidant of finding another site, that we stayed for 2 nights (It was only missing a toilet).
During that time someone else stopped for one night in a Motorhome (like a Winnebago I think). Someone else turned up each night and slept in their car (but left during the day).
My question is: Were any of us breaking the law, or violating some guidelines as to acceptable/intended use of the space? Or are rest stops intended to be point-of-last-resort / amenities-less campsites?
There is a note in this brochure which says:
24 Hour Rest Areas: 24 hour rest areas are not intended for camping and stopping is NOT to exceed more than 24 consecutive hours
And the list of signs seem to indicate that 24 rest areas are specifically marked. But it is somewhat unclear as to if the 24 hours is exceptional, as you are Allowed to stay for up to 24 hours (and on normal sites you are perhaps not meant to say for more than 8 hours rest). Or if it is the reverse -- on normal sites you are allowed to camp, but 24 hours sites you can not.
Best Answer
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:
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.
Pictures about "Are you allowed to set up a tent/van at Australian "Rest Stops"?"
Can you camp in rest areas in Australia?
Rest Area & Road side camping.On some of the bigger rest stops in Australia along the highways it's legal to camp over night (no fires are to be lit), it's legal to stay for 24 hours. All other places you are allowed to stay overnight as long as you're not setting up a camp.Where can you sleep in a van in Australia?
It is technically illegal to sleep in a campervan by the side of the road, but it is fine in designated truck stop or rest areas. There are generally many rest areas along the highways. However it would be very rare to actually be caught by anyone if you were only there overnight.Can you sleep at truck stops Australia?
Rules For Sleeping At Truck Stops In AustraliaIt's okay to sleep at most truck stops in Australia as long as it's not over 24 hours. Some truck stops have a limit of only a few hours, so make sure you pay attention when stopping at one. Make sure you're in a designated parking spot as well.What does no camping mean in NSW rest areas?
Rest areas are not designed to be camping grounds or caravan parks. Using rest areas for multiple overnight stays as part of a planned itinerary is not in keeping with their intended purpose and reduces the availability of space for motorists needing a break before continuing on their journey.How to Plan YOUR TRIP around Australia - Gear, Safety \u0026 Security - 2/3
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Answer 2
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 .
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