Free Camping

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Free Camping

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Over and over, people say "follow your instincts". That not neurotic, that's sensible.
Shame about that great spot though.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Yes, I'm a great believer in following your gut instinct & it was really hard to drive away from that fabulous spot & pay to camp in a showground but I did sleep well & still woke up to a nice view - just rural instead of beach. Next time I'll try to remember I'm being sensible - not silly & neurotic.

Thanks Gerty

shekon · Guru

Go with the gut feeling. If it doesn't feel right move on. Awesome spot though.

Jonathan · Senior Member

Hi Dianne ..

I go along with what others have said .. go with your gut feeling and instincts. Understand that your instinct is variable with each circumstance, and you will soon be more comfortable having made an appropriate decision .. you may still feel disappointed for the loss of the experience, but it will soon leave you much more confident in your quick decision-making ..

Enjoy !

Ginger · Veteran Member

Better safe than sorry.

I always follow my instincts. Doesn't matter if I have free camped there before, if I get out of the van and it feels "off". I drive on and find somewhere else.

Nelly · Guru

Best to be sure especially when the evidence of a party or parties was there - I think that was one of things mentioned to look out for when free camping.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Thank you all so much for your input - much appreciated.

grahos · Guru

Very wise decision not to camp alone,There are some horror stories out there.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Thanks Grahos. Haven't heard any horror stories yet - don't think I want to either. Might put me off altogether.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I haven't heard any horror stories either - don't know where they come from!

turbopete · Senior Member

There are thousands of vanners running around this very safe country,, There are very few horror stories,,certainly there is no need to be scared about camping alone,,so long as common sense is used about where you camp,,,,, what about a list of precautions that should be applied to a camping area (1) don't camp at areas where it is obviously a hoon ,drinking area... (2)

native pepper · Senior Member

In all our years of travelling, we've only had one or two problems from hoons free camping and that was way back. Never been a problem, just annoying and the dogs always make them give you a bit of respect and stay away. From what I know, the majority of problems of theft and bad behaviour mostly occur in van parks and heavily used camps near large populations. Another reason we don't go anywhere near them and mostly are camped alone.

All you need to do is make sure your vehicle is secure, leave nothing outside and have deterrents, like a baseball bat or similar. if you also learn what to do is someone does attack you, one hit in the knees with a baseball bat will bring the biggest bloke down to the ground very fast. Once you take out the leader, any others will back off very quickly. Especially when they see their leader writhing on the ground and unable to stand.

Plus when you see places close to towns, where there is lots of rubbish, grog bottles and look like they are frequently used, it's wise to not stay there, no matter how confident or well armed you are. Much better to avoid potential problems and have peace of mind, than not listen to you instincts, just for a good view. It will be there tomorrow and you probably did the right thing, much better to be safe than sorry.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

Thanks All
Everyone seems to agree that instinct & common sense is definitely the way to go.

the rocket · Guru

Ginger wrote:
Better safe than sorry.
I always follow my instincts. Doesn't matter if I have free camped there before, if I get out of the van and it feels "off". I drive on and find somewhere else.

same here

beiffe · Guru

Dundreamin, I was going to let this thread past but as most posts have been in the negative I would also post a positive to give some perspective for you.
While most believe that rest stops when on your own are dangerous, it depends on your perspective and also your preparation of your rig and the way you approach your nights rest. I have camped almost entirely in bush camps for my 5 years on the road.
There are accepted rules by many of us who free camping and to me the presence of other campers is not that important.
The things that I consider are -
Am I far enough from the town so the hoons will not venture out especially on weekends 10Kms is usually safe.
Can I park so I am pointing out so I can start and drive away without turning etc. Remember your rig will normally push anything out of the road if desperate.
Can I be seen from the road and if so how obvious am I.
How much traffic is going past, but remember most traffic stops about 10 unless on main highway.
Is the area reasonably clean. You will never get a crystal clean site because many of the nomads / weekend warriors are not that tidy either.
Do your doors lock from the inside if not best to fix just in case.
Most people prefer to pack to leave before retiring at night, always pack the valuables just in case as you are better to buy a new chair and get away from a nasty situation.
I prefer to be on my own or at most with a few others. Go for a walk when you arrive and gauge the attitude of the others and make you decision.
I am sure others will add more but it is up to you. Try and camp with just a few people and then if the situation arises then try on your own in a secluded site.
There is nothing like sitting outside your rig with nothing but nature, sit back and watch the stars move across the sky and wildlife wandering by.
The decision is all yours but please don't disregard any type of camping as most of the good sites in our country can only be seen from bush camps and there is nothing like the serenity of camping on your own and enjoy nature as it should be and not disturbed by others talking, playing music, running generators etc.
Regards
Brian

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Spot on what Bieffe says - be prepared, lock your vehicle - and face the exit so if needs be, you can drive out quickly. One of the advantages of having a motorhome is that you do not have to get out - just get in the drivers seat and go, if there is trouble.

We have camped any many, many places, and sometimes we have been on our own - never have we had any trouble, but, if we did, we would leave chairs or tables behind if necessary.

Sometimes in life, there is nothing to fear, but fear itelf.

dundreamin · Veteran Member

I must admit that the main reason for buying the vehicle I did was exactly what Beiffe & Jules both said - a quick getaway if the need arises without leaving the vehicle at all. There is also only one entry door to worry about. Didn't think about how far from town etc. If anything I would have thought closer to town would be better - nearer to help/safety, but I can see the point of being further out. Good tip - thanks. I don't mind staying in show grounds & parks etc, as long as they're not over priced & over crowded, so I usually opt for the smaller more basic parks. However, when I come across an awesome spot to stop it would be great to be able to stay and enjoy that without being nervous about it. I'm pretty new at this so I guess it's also something that the more one gets out and about, the more relaxed one becomes.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Beiffe, your post was really helpful. Theres also a point you blokes don't often "get". Women on their own are more often seen as easy targets. That just means we have to be even more careful, not constantly scared though.

Big Gorilla · Guru

Native Pepper suggests a baseball bat. I have a knife the size of the one Crocodile Dundee presented to his would be muggers in New York. I've even thought about getting a gun. But how do you use these weapons when you've locked yourself inside a MH. A caravan is a worse situation coz you can't walk into the driver's cabin and drive away. Also, if you get out of your MH or the villians break in and over power you, they can use your weapons on you !!! confuse And as Gerty says, women travelling alone are more vulnerable. Most of the ideas presented here are good for MH owners, not for caravans. I'm always fully prepared to get behind the wheel and drive off, even if someone has parked across my bows to prevent this !!

beiffe · Guru

Gery Dancer and all the solo ladies who feel that being a ladie on your own just a few small very cheap suggestions.
Go to Kmart etc and buy a pair of cheap man's shoes and when you stop drop them by the door. Even a pair of vinnies old work boots would survice and the bigger and more worn the better with that option.
Also a cheap extra chair helps as it advertise tow people and fill as a guest chair when needed.
I am sure some of the girls will tell you their tricks but whatever you do don't disregard the thrill of camping in the bus. I meet more ladies as solos than men so you are definitely not on your own.
On the suggestion of large knifes etc, best to keep them hidden as they can be easily turned on you. Keep a bat or stick etc but only disclose as a last result when all else has failed. Bluff and flight are the best defenses.
Regards
Brian

-- Edited by beiffe on Saturday 15th of February 2014 07:00:44 AM

Jonathan · Senior Member

.. and Brian .. a good one for us guys, is to place a pair of stilettos outside beside your slippers .. great conversation starter !

native pepper · Senior Member

Big Gorilla wrote:
Native Pepper suggests a baseball bat. I have a knife the size of the one Crocodile Dundee presented to his would be muggers in New York. I've even thought about getting a gun. But how do you use these weapons when you've locked yourself inside a MH. A caravan is a worse situation coz you can't walk into the driver's cabin and drive away. Also, if you get out of your MH or the villians break in and over power you, they can use your weapons on you !!! And as Gerty says, women travelling alone are more vulnerable. Most of the ideas presented here are good for MH owners, not for caravans. I'm always fully prepared to get behind the wheel and drive off, even if someone has parked across my bows to prevent this !!

Yep it was only a suggestion, but do know a few travellers who carry them, a cricket bat or similar. A weapon like that can be used for having some sporting fun, as well as keep someone at a distance compared to a knife and they should be used on the legs, if you aim to hit high on the body they can block or take it away from you. But if you aim for the knees, they have to bend down to stop you and open their head to attack. One hit to the knees with a bat and that's the end of it, from a potential victim, to fully in command and have them writhing on the ground.

And caravans campers are much more vulnerable than MH/bus, yet the percentage of attacks against camping travellers outside urban areas an van parks, is very small and highly unlikely to occur well away from towns and major roads.

Also agree solo ladies do to look more vulnerable, but if they really have a fear, then there are ways to protect themselves with deadly force and stay within the law.

There are travellers who carry registered pistols with them, they belong to SSAA gun clubs and shoot at many ranges around the country as they travel. Properly secured according to the law, means they are legally entitled to be armed on the road as long as they are attending authorised shoots. According to the law in all states, they are entitled to use whatever reasonable force necessary to protect themselves and their home. When you consider the frailty and ill health of many many older travellers, a 9mm semi auto, or 357 magnum revolver, is not only a deterrent, but an acceptable and very positive form of defence for a pensioner. Especially a solo lady traveller.

03_troopy · Guru

It's a very sticky area in law though, and you'd have to be very sure of the "perceived" threat.

Interesting info here.

-- Edited by 03_troopy on Sunday 23rd of February 2014 09:07:56 AM

Happywanderer · The Master

The last 3 nights I have camped alone, which says a lot as I used to be scared of the dark. Had to get over that one quick.
What I find with having a dog is she will growl if there is any movement out there. Has turned out to be a kangaroo or sheep usually.
I'm well locked in and no chance of anyone being able to open any doors.
I have also tried climbing through to the drivers seat, just in case, and I can.
Worked well the other day when it was pelting down at Nindigully Pub, the ground turned into a river, so I climbed through and drove off down the road till I found some sealed road, off the road, a school bus stop.

SnowT · Guru

Damn then My 357mag Shot shells are of no use..

All I can say is Be-careful..

Juergen

dING · Senior Member

A tin of Wasp killing spray is a very good deterrent

One spray in the face and they go very quickly

Cheap and efficient and you can always plead

It is not a weapon if police get involved not likely tho