Free campsites east coast NSW, Vic, south Qld ??

[Kushla]

Hello all,

I wanted to buy a converted van (a backpacker's van) for a seven-week travelling holiday. But then a friend offered me free use of his camper trailer. At first, this seemed like a great idea, but now I think I'll have to pay $25 every night for a campsite. I'd much rather free parking, as I could in a van.

What has been your experience with finding free places to sleep with a camper trailer?
Could we use the free rest areas listed in Camp Australia Wide?

We'll be along the coast or mountains of NSW and VIC and south QLD (until Gladstone).

Thank you for taking the time to advise a beginner.

[robcaz]

After the national meet in Glen Innes we wandered to Bowen FNQ taking over two weeks using Camps 6 as a guide for camping. In that time we only paid for four nights accommodation in national parks. Can't really complain as it was only $7.50 per person per night in Cape Hillsbough & Eugella National Parks. The rest of the time was in free camps.

At lunch we kind of know roughly where we might end up so check locations the campsites in Camps 6. We have found it is always wise to have a backup plan as some campsite are not suitable, ie next to a main road that is very noisey with truck traffic during the night, party location just out of town for the local kids on Friday or Saturday nights etc.

We found the free camp north of Gayndah listed in Camps 6 will big signs saying no camping, so headed to Wuruma Dam, but found that packed with long weekend campers. We simply backtracked ten km or so to the free camp at Ceratodus.

A new version of Camps Australia Wide comes out every second March, Camps 8 is due next March.

[Fidon]

Have just received the email update from Camps with lots of changes between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour, all of the rest areas have been changed to no overnighting etc, might be worth downloading the PFD update
http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/update-service/

I agree wholeheartedly with robcaz, these Camps books are invaluable sources of knowledge, AND they don't need batteries to be read under the shade of a nice tree. Bonus.

Fi

[robcaz]

For up to date info on campsites you can't go past the WikiCamps Australia download for smart phones, tablets or Windows 8.1 PC's http://www.wikicamps.com.au/

[kenmcguinness]

For up to date info on campsites you can't go past the WikiCamps Australia download for smart phones, tablets or Windows 8.1 PC's http://www.wikicamps.com.au/

http://www.caravancaravan.com.au/ is another useful site - at this stage available on on the web (not as an app)