What is it about Free Camping

jimbo · Guru

RE: What is it about Free Camping

animalcarer · Senior Member

Well its free from constraints of any kind, if we are by a water source, we full the watering can up, and howard showers me, then I shower him. Brilliant.

We enjoy a fire, getting the pan, do some sausages, eggs, too easy

Other natural bush campers we find more friendly, always up for a yarn, and a laugh, also other pet people which we are. Cost obviously, able to spend more money on petrol etc. Nice cuts of steak, whatever,

Have stayed at camping grounds, the worst was in tennant creek, the owner was a grumpy maniac. Nice one Charlville. Only stay at ones that allow pets.

We have the portable gas shower now, so free camping we will keep doing.

justcruisin01 · Guru

BUGGER !!! , there's not much left to be said , those in favor of free camping say I; IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

People are more friendly, only common sense rules. Dont have the luxury of an ensuite in the van or camper trailer, but have all ways had the hot shower system , even before the pop up shower tents & gas water systems.

Made our own shower cubicle years ago & still going strong, the billy on the fire for hot water. We did move up to a instant gas hot water system many years ago & havent looked back.

Currently at a free camp, called in for a night to have a look, now up to four nights & its now raining, may have more nights untill it fines up, who counting.? smile smile smile

Ma · Guru

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JRH · Guru

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ChiChi1 · Guru

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Happywanderer · The Master

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Ditto

Cupie · Guru

Thanks for all those heart felt responses.

It's clear from the volume of responses in such a short time that this is an issue that stirs passion in so many of us.

I have a confession to make .. please don't tell any one ... I am a closet bush camper.

When I need a bush camping fix I pack up the Patrol with a few essentials including a kayak & head off to a quiet waterside spot somewhere. I put all my gear in a small tent & sleep on a matress in the Patrol with the all but the front seats removed.

Camp fires every night & daily swims.

When we caravan, we stay at CPs because SWMBO doesn't care for the bush. 'Though she often talks fondly of the only free camp that we did many years ago at Kynuna. Maybe I need to carefully select another to break the ice.

Once again thanks for all the responses.

Boroma577 · Guru

Cupie wrote:
'Though she often talks fondly of the only free camp that we did many years ago at Kynuna. Maybe I need to carefully select another to break the ice.

Therein lies your answer Cupie.

pawsoz · Senior Member

I enjoy 'freedom camping'/ 'independant camping' most of all, although I do go into a CP usually once or twice a week to enjoy a longer hot shower and do the laundry and charge up the computer - stuff like that!

I am not a great fan of CP's as I dislike being shoe horner into sites, often with prison like fences all around - having said that the CP's here in Tassie are not quite that rough!

Also I travel with my 'family', my two Whippets, sometimes there are no dog friendly CP's in an area.

I have found many CP's to be a bit unfriendly, I cannot recall the last time a 'happy hour' style of event happened in a CP, while I find that they happen often in the freedom camping spots and the many rest area's I stay in.

I have had no problem locking up my motor home and going off for long walks/shopping or whatever when parked in rest area's/freedom camping areas.

Each to his/her own I guess!

Annie

valnrob · Guru

Google Independant Camping. Covers all Australia and more. Some camps have pictures. Great site. Also shows which are free and what costs are for some. Not sure is prices are up to date.

cheers

Nicholstones · Guru

Well we always stay at caravan parks, have often stopped for lunch at some roadside stop to find several rigs set up and the owners sitting outside their van in the dirt and flies surrounded by a great load of nothing. Can understand going for a 'camping trip' somewhere bushy and secluded, but most of the 'free camps' seem to be nothing much more than dirt car parks. I know this goes against the prevailing religion on this site, but personally given this is our life I would much prefer to have a decent hot shower, some security and actually be somewhere I want to be with something I want to do, rather than be stuck in the middle of nowhere just because it is free. And as for the concept of caravan park jails, yes some are squeezy, some are spacious, but the same goes for 'free camps' - I have seen rigs squeezed so close together at stops on the Stuart Hwy you couldn't even walk between them! Thank heavens we were just changing drivers before heading off to a decent caravan park.

Ma · Guru

Just my opinion mind you, but for us there is a rather large difference between free camping and stopping in roadside rest areas.

We always try to opt for the free camp away from highways where possible and somewhere that offers more than just a stop off.

Just my opinion on what we look for, for what it's worth.l

justcruisin01 · Guru

Nicholstones wrote:
Well we always stay at caravan parks, have often stopped for lunch at some roadside stop to find several rigs set up and the owners sitting outside their van in the dirt and flies surrounded by a great load of nothing. Can understand going for a 'camping trip' somewhere bushy and secluded, but most of the 'free camps' seem to be nothing much more than dirt car parks. I know this goes against the prevailing religion on this site, but personally given this is our life I would much prefer to have a decent hot shower, some security and actually be somewhere I want to be with something I want to do, rather than be stuck in the middle of nowhere just because it is free. And as for the concept of caravan park jails, yes some are squeezy, some are spacious, but the same goes for 'free camps' - I have seen rigs squeezed so close together at stops on the Stuart Hwy you couldn't even walk between them! Thank heavens we were just changing drivers before heading off to a decent caravan park.

To a point, yes some rest areas are basic but they are only rest areas, ok for a night between points. finding a great area off the road along side a river / dam / or in the mountains some where is what its all about.

Looks like the IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII;S win, bring it on.!

Boroma577 · Guru

Ma wrote:
there is a rather large difference between free camping and stopping in roadside rest areas.

I agree with Ma....am currently in a 'cost free' campsite...well they do ask for a donation but I have all the space I want, hot showers, flush toilets, rubbish bins, water and electricity.....with paper hand towels and loo paper provided, but it is not for everybody and that's ok too.

RRAs are more for traveling between destinations....point A to B.

jonathan · Guru

.. to me "free" is just an abbrevition of "freedom" ..

Free-camping gives me the best opportunity to be comfortable and as free as possible to do what I wish .. where there is less chance of restriction due to my surroundings so that I might be able to enjoy my chosen lifestyle ..

oh .. and I do find it a great money saver ..

Jon

Boroma577 · Guru

jonathan wrote:
.. to me "free" is just an abbrevition of "freedom" ..

That's a good way to describe it Jon, thanks.

Helena · Guru

why pay for amenities that you have no need to use and you also miss the quietness of camping out and just sitting by a fire and looking at the stars wonderful life. Helena

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

It is interesting how the term "free-camping" has degenerated into "sleeping at wayside stops along the highway overnight" instead of what I have always thought of as (free/freedom/independent) camping - going to a place beside a river, creek, lake, or just a spot in the bush and setting up your camp (whether it be swag, tent, camper, campervan, motorhome or caravan).

As I said before, I, and many, many others, have been doing it for the past 50 years.

Camps Australia have provided an excellent service producing and updating the "Bible" and I would not travel without it as a guide ... but so many think all those little yellow triangles are "camping" spots .... read the descriptions carefully ... most are Rest Areas - some are Camp Areas and some are Campgrounds .... Rest Areas are just that - for a rest overnight with very limited everything.

Sorry - I'm on my soapbox again ... someone come and bump me off please blankstare hmm

Cheers

John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 20th of November 2011 08:52:34 PM

Ma · Guru

You stay right where you are John. You give us good information and explanations.

Pam · Guru

Nicholstones wrote:
Well we always stay at caravan parks, have often stopped for lunch at some roadside stop to find several rigs set up and the owners sitting outside their van in the dirt and flies surrounded by a great load of nothing. Can understand going for a 'camping trip' somewhere bushy and secluded, but most of the 'free camps' seem to be nothing much more than dirt car parks. I know this goes against the prevailing religion on this site, but personally given this is our life I would much prefer to have a decent hot shower, some security and actually be somewhere I want to be with something I want to do, rather than be stuck in the middle of nowhere just because it is free. And as for the concept of caravan park jails, yes some are squeezy, some are spacious, but the same goes for 'free camps' - I have seen rigs squeezed so close together at stops on the Stuart Hwy you couldn't even walk between them! Thank heavens we were just changing drivers before heading off to a decent caravan park.

I am with you, Nicholstones. have only stayed in caravan parks. Usually find them to be friendly places and like having the facilities, besides our camper is not set up for powerless places.

Helena · Guru

free camps and wayside stops are very different we have only ever stopped in wayside stops for the designated time usually 24 hours and this is usually because we have'nt been able to get to our destination on time but as I said we love the freedom of freedom camping although I will say as I have always said what suits one person doesn't mean it suits all. Helena

pauline · Guru

I have been away for a few days and just read this and i will say thisIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Boroma577 · Guru

Looks like the 'ayes' have it....

Seriously though, it is not a contest....what suits one person does not necessarily suit the next and that is fine too.

Cruising Granny · Guru

To me there are several types of travel lifestyle and holidays. The 5 star hotel, a budget hotel-motel, caravan park and camping.
I live in my van all the time and set up in van parks if I'm going to be in the district for any length of time. I have "free camped" if just passing through and needing a place to pull up and sleep.
I camp when I'm on the road with my job. I now have an awning on the car and set up my camp bed between the truck and my car.
It's not always in a bush site, although it is often on the roadside somewhere.
Last Thursday night it was in Ouyen, by the saleyards, which are also next to the railway line. That goods train made the earth move for me in the middle of the night. Rumble clunk clunk, rumble clunk clunk, rumble clunk clunk etc etc. Oh you get the idea.
There are many places to set up camp for the night or a day or 2, or just park up for a sleep on a roadside parking bay.
I have experienced isolation and snobbery in free camps and in parks. I try to make the first move, and react to the response.
It is mostly about budge, but it is also about enjoying the terrain of the region you choose to park in.
No way is right or wrong. It's definitely about personal choice, budget and reason for the trip.
Full time nomads tend to free camp 4 out of 7 days or more, using van parks for amenities. Their fridges are powere by solar and batteries. The set up needs to be very independent of mains power and water supply.
There is no rule other than to leave the site better than you found it. Some people are absolutely disrespectful pigs.

NeilandRaine · Guru

We do it all, stop beside the road between point A and point B. Find a nice spot beside a lake or river and camp up for a few days or more and stay at caravan parks.
Now if you just go away for a few weeks break then a camping holiday is great and relaxing and you do meet some great like minded people, however, be honest here how often have you gone to your favorite free camping spot and had to share with very noisy party people who are also having a break and letting their hair down. You can't call a manager and tell them to be quiet.
We travel full time and like most are on a budget so free camping along the way is a bonus but there is a lot to see in this country and free spots along the way are not always available. As has been said a lot are just dusty fly blown places beside the road and some peole just sit and stare at nothing, thats not for us either but if one is on the route we will use it.
We like the quietness, the walks and all the native flaura and fauna to be experienced when camped out bush, We (meaning SWMBO) loves looking at old buildings, Op Shops and shopping. We dont do expensive touristy stuff, they are usually over priced and over rated but most towns and cities are steeped in history and it is for these reasons we stay at caravan parks to do all the local sight seeing, not forgetting the washing, showers and electricity.
I have had some great happy hours in caravan parks, a lot instigated by me. Most travellers only need an invite or a sugestion to have a happy hour, the same can be said for free camping spots.
The biggest killer is the cost of fuel so free camping for a few days or a few days in a caravan park saves on fuel. Myself I am a bit restless and always eager to see whats in the next place along the endless road.
Thats my rambling for this week, you probably cant understand it but I know what I mean.................. Horses for courses I say.

Ma · Guru

Spot on Neil, you covered it nicely

Smokeydk · Guru

In the last 5 years....we only "free camped" once.....luved it........we rarely go to CPs......but go to Bush Camps...Camp Grounds...these are places on private farms etc.....that charge a low fee.......but you still get flushing toilets and hot showers etc....and you can leave your setup knowing when you come back its still all there

Ma and Jonathon know one where we go to several times a year.

Ma · Guru

And it's one of the best we have been to too SD

jimricho · Guru

Nicholstones wrote:
Well we always stay at caravan parks, have often stopped for lunch at some roadside stop to find several rigs set up and the owners sitting outside their van in the dirt and flies surrounded by a great load of nothing. Can understand going for a 'camping trip' somewhere bushy and secluded, but most of the 'free camps' seem to be nothing much more than dirt car parks. I know this goes against the prevailing religion on this site, but personally given this is our life I would much prefer to have a decent hot shower, some security and actually be somewhere I want to be with something I want to do, rather than be stuck in the middle of nowhere just because it is free. And as for the concept of caravan park jails, yes some are squeezy, some are spacious, but the same goes for 'free camps' - I have seen rigs squeezed so close together at stops on the Stuart Hwy you couldn't even walk between them! Thank heavens we were just changing drivers before heading off to a decent caravan park.

These are my views too. Esentially I'm a caravan park person but I have occasionally bush camped.

I do agree with the posts that point out the big difference between bush camping at an idyllic location compared to setting up for the night in a crowded rest area beside a busy (read "noisy") highway with filthy toilet facilities