I try to use free camps when travelling between centres. A couple of days here and there makes a big budgetary difference. It is a way to break up the days travelling. Security can be a problem but usually free camps are in the more isolated areas and normally not a lot in that area to see anyway. A couple of days relaxing is always good and stress levels drop dramatically. CP's can be expensive, but do offer ammenities not available when free camping. With most charging a minimum of around $30+ a night single, I can do without a powered site,running water and shady trees.

Gday...

May I begin by saying that I find the term "free-camping" a misnomer. If "free-camping" means going to a place beside a river, creek, lake, or just a spot the bush and setting up your camp (whether it be swag, tent, camper, campervan, motorhome or caravan) then I have been doing it since I was in my mid-teens. Some people do the same thing but at a van park. We generally call this "having a holiday".

I think the term "free-camping" should be changed back to "camping" as some of the places we "free-camp" do attract fees albeit usually low-level or "donation".

That said, and in answer to your query -

How do you go about seeing the sites when free camping. I am an 'internet researcher', ie Googling for information/background on the places I am about to visit. I also visit Info Centres in towns I pass through or camp near and of course, the locals know their area pretty well and love to tell you about the good spots.

Can you leave your van & go off during the day? I have no issue leaving my van at camping spots and going off for a few hours (or the day) bushwalking, seeing the sights or even getting supplies. I do not leave my van unattended at 'wayside stop' spots for instance, but if camped away from the town, highway etc it is just as safe as leaving my tent and equipment all alone in the bush when I visit a National Park or State Forest.

What is it that attracts you to free camping? I love meeting and talking to people (but hate crowds) and I love the isolation of camping somewhere in a pretty and seculuded spot. I love cooking on the open fire and sitting around staring into it of an evening. The quiet of the bush is so invigorating and rejuvenating - especially if broken by the sounds of birds

What's good & what's not so good about it? I think I have covered this above, but what is not so good? Hmmm - it is hard to answer really. I cannot think of things that I don't like when camping. Perhaps it is not having a long hot shower - which I never miss until I do get to a van park and have one then I realise I how much I relish having a shower

Finally, I guess I would be lying if I did not also like the budgetary aspects of camping - great spots and low fee or no fee. It certainly helps me stretch my limited income. Having said that, I have been camping for more than 50 years and even when I was earning large annual incomes, I still went camping in the bush for my holidays.

I recently met a couple who had never "free-camped" when I was in Charters Towers so I offered to 'motherhen' them at a free camp for the coming week. They decided to accept and at the end of the second day they were convinced they would do it more often. I left on the fourth day and they stayed on for a few more days.

Your reticence to leave the "security" of van parks is fully understandable. But I am sure if you found a good spot (and there are many on this site under the heading of "Free/budget damps etc") you would begin to find it is so fulfilling.

I guess this has got a bit long-winded - typical of me once I get started.

Cheers

John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 20th of November 2011 08:59:39 AM

-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 20th of November 2011 09:08:24 AM

G'day to you all,my firs replay just joined this morning...

I believe there is a lot of travellers  out there that relay on some free camping...Unless you hawe your bank manager tayed to  your roof rack.

I read many times that at free sites people will look after each others rigs that is if your life experince tels you that the situation is OK...So they can skip out for suplay or sight seing...I belive that is what is all about...trust and sharing creates lasting memorys...Cheers...

Gday...

Hey Spooky - welcome to this mob - you'll find it a great place to be.

There are some characters (especially one who lives in a hole in the ground) and lots of wit, experience, humour and camaraderie - oh yeah, and information too.

Cheers and may meet you in the bush somewhere

John

Welcome to the forum Spooky.

We do a mixture of "free-camping" and caravan parks and National Parks which are not always free.

When in a caravan park we are more secure, have more amenities like long hot showers, laundry facilities, and with mains power can use the heater or cooler. And you have a manager to call if theres a problem. It can be expensive, especially in the busy season.

Free-camping is free. But our experiences have been varied from peaceful and scenic areas, to crowded noisy (generators, dogs, late night drinkers etc) and dirty, with other peoples toilet waste in the campsite. Mostly we use these places just as overnighters, and yes it helps the budget.

We would stay in National Parks by choice for a de-stress. The fees vary, but theres usually bbq's, toilets, often showers, and firewood supplied. And by their nature theres bushwalking, scenic picnic spots, birds and wildlife to enjoy.... aahh, the serenity!

Gerty Dancer wrote:

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Welcome to the forum Spooky.

----SNIP----
Free-camping is free. But our experiences have been varied from peaceful and scenic areas, to crowded noisy (generators, dogs, late night drinkers etc) and dirty, with other peoples toilet waste in the campsite. Mostly we use these places just as overnighters, and yes it helps the budget.
----SNIP----

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 Gday...

Good to see a balanced response ... and I must admit I have heard of people who have experienced what you have experienced.

I have been on the road for nearly three years now and the only condition you mention above at a "camp" is the 'crowded bit'.

Thankfully that has only been when I have been travelling on the major highways and stay on the "highway spots". This has usually been when up north (of NSW and QLD mainly) with "southerners" (mexicans? ) getting away from that dreaded southern winter. For instance, I travelled the Capricorn Hwy from Westwood to Longreach in July this year and the highway (free)camps were absolutely chockers by 3.30pm each day.

I guess when you have to travel in the 'peak periods' it does get busy.

If I experienced those (free)camps regularly, I would stop travelling.

Cheers

John

We find that in your planning of a trip the Bible, camps 6 in absolutley indispensable, it gives you a detailed list of free camps with what they have to offer as well as how long your allowed to stay,and sites that are not free but very cheap eg as little as $6 or a gold coin donation you can get it if you are a member of RACQ for $55 very quickly recouped.

We also find that if you are heading in a general direction you can mix it up and save lots of money. Planning a CP whenever nesessary to recharge batteries with power if you need to, do the washing, empty toilets and fill up the water tanks etc.

there's a lot of helpful advice already given so you just have to give it a go and see 

Gerty Dancer wrote:

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----SNIP---- and still only stay for a max of 3 days... dont know what people find to do all day.

So how do people fill their time when camping in a free camp in the bush?

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 Gday...

Hmmmmmmm ...... that is what my navel is for - contemplating    

Well, just like anywhere else - eating, reading, walking, taking photos, eating, doing odd-jobs on van and vehicle, eating, gathering firewood, eating, more walking, watching the birdies/wildlife, smelling the flowers - oh yeah, did I mention eating ? ?

Cheers

John

rockylizard wrote:

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Gerty Dancer wrote:

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----SNIP---- and still only stay for a max of 3 days... dont know what people find to do all day.

So how do people fill their time when camping in a free camp in the bush?

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Plenty of reading and just sitting and relaxing to the sounds of the bush, some bush walking for exercise( must go and wash my mouth out, EXERCISE??????).  Heaven on earth.

Hi, just to address your concern with security, we have met many people who have had stuff go walkabout in caravan parks but as yet have met no-one who has had stuff disappear while free camping. Perhaps because ussually at camps people are aware of who belongs in which rig but in bigger parks often one has no idea who belongs in the annexe 2 vans down. Also stayed in a park on the south coast nsw where we were warned by the manager that a particular couple of families that lived just over the fence made a living off of unsecured items in the park.
As far as camp sites go we use camps 4 a little( bit outdated I know) but often in the more popular areas find those site crowded so tend to look for unlisted sites and there are plenty out there if one slows down a little and perhaps gets off the main drag.

_wombat_ wrote:

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Re the Camps 6 book, you can also get a download from their site to install on a GPS, I have it on my Garmin, they do it for other makes also.

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 And very handy they are too, I have them installed on my Garmin also.

_wombat_ wrote:

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It's free

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 Ditto!

Very true John.  Sounds like you suffer from the same ailment as Blue.

rockylizard wrote:

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 Gday...

Actually ... even if caravan parks were free, I would prefer to sit in the bush on a creek etc and have seclusion - even if that was a small 'donation' or fee.

A crowded (free)camp is just as bad as a crowded van park.

Cheers

John

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 Yes, too true John. Love love love to be camped by water...ocean, river, creek or lake.