I think I messed up my very 1st post, sorry about that. Thanks to Chris and Jim for their replies. I think what I really need to know is, if I stick to the beaten track in central Australia will I be safe free camping? I have only free camped a couple of times and always on the coast where there are hoards of people! Any advice that you can give will be very much appreciated.
Thanks, Jan

Hi Jan and welcome to the forum, we are constant free campers and have yet to have trouble of any kind in over 30 years of free camping, however having said that there is always a first take precautions before setting up camp, what are the surrounds like is it "clean" no wheelie marks, broken bottles or heaps of rubbish laying around these can be signs of a "drongoe gathering area" generally if you are more than 20 kms away from a major town then you are usually okay, hoons dont usually go that far out to annoy people, and they are by far the biggest problem by reports handed to me over the years I would feel more "uncomfortable" around "hoards" of people than I would on my own, more likely to find a misfit in amongst a heap of people we are more of your common garden variety "desert" trekkers and we have not had one iota of trouble travelling the route to which you speak we have transversed that area many times all without incident

Jan
The biggest trouble you should have, free camping the Centre, is the quiet. You hear a vehicle travelling on the road from a long way off. Can be difficult for city people. But the stars, the sky, the early morning sun, the fresh air, etc

Hell, I wish I was back there, camped on a mud flat, in the middle of no where.

As Sir dave says, with all free camps, just watch for signs, learnt to read them. Populated areas have more to be concerned about.

Just a note about the Centre, make sure you have enough water with you, at all times.

Thank you Dave and Twobob, your advice is gratefully received, I am surrounded by unbelievers here in Sydney and they have been shaking my confidence about this trip - it's too far.............there are bad people about............etc.etc.etc.
I will pay attention to my surroundings before I set up camp for the night and I have a 55 litre water tank in the van which I will make sure is full before I leave civilisation.
I have camped in the Barrington Ranges in mid winter - not a soul around and I just loved having the place to myself, but as for the silence you mention Twobob I think out there in the desert it will be different. In Barrington I was woken by the birds each morning....fantastic!
The other times I have free camped I used the "safety in numbers" rule.
I was thinking of canning this trip but you have inspired me to go ahead with my plans. Thank you.
Jan

don't even think about "canning" the trip, never put a trip off because of "doomsayers" they are only fearful that you will have a better time than them, if they have never been then how can they comment, I believe one must "earn" the right to comment not just stick with "doom and gloom" we have "been" many times and if it wasn't for work commitments and my son we would be out there right now the silence, as two bob states, affects people in different ways, after the city it makes my ears "ring" with hyper sensitivity, straining to hear a sound but once one gets used to it then coming back to snivilisation is an assault on all senses, it takes a couple of days can be very unsettling at first because I can no longer say to the dragon that "I didn't hear you darling" and she can hear my "mumbling" not a good thing, I find the clips under the ear come a lot faster and far more frequent when we are out there the desert is a fantastic place, find an old creekbed and camp under a big old gum, but beware of falling limbs, just meditate and get back to what is important in life, reinvigorating your spirit, if you can find an active creek and a gum tree then you have found "my nirvana" it will be difficult to leave, learn to shake hands with a 150 year old eucalypt, feel the "spirit of place", just magical but yes indeed watch your water supply

Take my word for it , The desert, It aint quiet, the sands squeak, the scrubs groan and rustle, and if you lay in the sand, after making a small depression for your hips you can FEEL the earth breathing, and in the bush the same thing,, Just as the sun drops below the horizon, the birds are growing quieter, and a hush falls over the land, if you keep your eyes open you will notice the night creatures, the bats squeaking, the possums searching for food, and scrabbling little babies hanging on for dear life, the wallabies are tentatively looking for the predators, YOU, but the most impressive is, if there is a ool change, the ants will take to the air, A dense cloud from far left to right, as far as you can see, and a soft whirring from the millions of wings, A totally different place to the city, and my home

Oh my God! You should write a book about these things. That was a beautiful description of how it really is. Everything is alive, even if it's silent, and doesn't appear to move. I want to go there, wherever it is. People have the impression the bush and desert are isolated, barron and lifeless, but as you have said, nothing could be further from the truth. Keep the descriptive writings coming. I love 'em. Wow! Cheers Chris

try a 360 V8 vt commodore with twin three inch exhaust running at 5,000 rpm in full burnout mode at 3 a.m., or morning peak hour, shopping centre on a thursday night squeeky sands and a groaning tree is a very welcome SILENCE!!!

Jan;

Hi, and welcome to the forum.
As a relative newbie to the 'on-road' nomading as well, I can see where you are coming from, people who have never done this seem to have the impression that once past city limits some psycho is going to jump out from behind the nearest tee-tree and ram an axe into the back of your head... The reality is totally different.

I was a little, don't know if nervous is the right word, but I was concerning myself with what could go wrong more then anything else. The worst problem I have faced was been nearly lifted off the bed by damn mozzies!

The advice others have given already is worthwhile taking on board.
I've found most people to be very nice and hospitable once they know your 'travelling' around Australia etc, and they find it novel and want to hear of your 'adventures'. I even had some people who I had never met before invite me to their family gathering BBQ.

The only advice I can give is: If it doesn't feel right, move on.
Like Dave, I think the idea of been in the middle of nowhere with no-one else around is the best, less chance of striking dills. Ironically, I am staying in a caravan park at the moment, as I have got some part-time work in the city I am in at the moment, and theres been more tools there in the caravan park then I experienced on the road, only last night there was a mother and daughter having a full-on barny tearing each others hair out (litterally), rather amusing to watch actually.

I am not a fan of caravan parks, as you are bundled in with a stack of others that you don't know, probably won't get to know, and yeah you have no idea who is next to you so to speak. I'd much rather be out in some bush area with budgies sitting on my annexe poles sqawking madly.

To be fair, the people that run the caravan park I am in run a pretty tight ship, and the said mother/daughter team were quickly moved on to newer pastures. I just like the idea of been around a wad of others who you don't know, and they are very much 'keep to themsevles' types. Its kinda like been in some high rise housing commission complex... (probably gonna cop some heat for that one lol).

A few drop of Eucalyptus oil on your pillowcase will get rid of any mozzies Stew. Cheers, xina.

I can understand the apprehension about taking to the road, although I didn't really have that feeling. I was more concerned about the van and the mechanical problems one may encounter. No major ones so far, and any glitches I've had, eg leaking water tanks I fixed, and I have another job on one of the tanks. If you're looking for me I'll be lying on a poly tarp under the van, just in front of the front axle working on the back tank. I digress. There are parks and there are parks. This is a good park with only 6 long stayers, and in the wet season there have only been a dribble through each day. It's picking up now, but I quite enjoy the rush in the 3 months of peak season. It's not practical for me to free camp all the time. Only when I'm bunny hopping and stopping overnight only. Living in the van full time has different requirements. Well, I do anyway. And I quite like the compnay in a good park. I've lived in parks for the last 11 years. I have found the parks with many long stayers bring some of their problems with them, but that's the advantage of living in the parks as opposed to the 'burbs. The trouble makers get kicked out very promptly and it's all good again. I'm on a lifestyle, not a holiday. Cheers Chris

Wow! I can't wait to get going now. I think from now on I will just listen to what all of you have to say and not to the spoilsports. Great advice and very inspiring. Thanks to all.
Jan

Hi Jan, My best wishes for your journey. I am living and travelling in my van full time and love it all. In Junee at the moment, in the CP as it is cold windy and wet so a few comforts are needed. Very pleasant here, on a dam and green,green grass. What a treat. I am heading very slowly to FNQ and meeting friends in the Warrumbungles in 2-3 weeks. Will end up just north of Innisfail, maybe at the end of May. I have free camped a few times without hassle, but like others have said, if not comfortable, move on. It is a wonderful lifestyle. Have fun. Cheers Helen

just enjoy life in all it's glory Jan. leave the doomsayers to theirs

Just try to help where I can. I know that works, as I used to use it when I lived up on Cape York. Cheers, xina.