Its so disappointing that after the effort so many of us have gone to promoting free camping to councils to see two caravans set up in the Botanical Gardens carpark with awnings and chairs out where they stayed overnight. There was clear signage stating no camping and the council in Emerald have set up a free overnight park on the other side of the gardens. Which wasnt full. I saw a caravan in the Maryborough freecamp with a 6 month trial set out their grey water pipe into the lawn area off the bitumen where they stayed for much longer than the 48 hour limit. Its a fully self contained camp with clear signage. So what the heck do we do. As these great initiatives are offered by councils, we have these abuses of hospitality with the potential to lose these free camps. Its like bashing your head against a brick wall of stupidity and ignorance.

Well ?? You can camp in Sydney too ! Yep if you haven't got your act together by 25 -30 then chances are you NEVER will !!! I stay overnight in places not sign posted ! BUT make VERY sure I don't upset anyone . Stop at evening and have things locked up etc by atleast 7 am .

People over staying is one of danger to free camping one or two nights should be the limit .It give everyone a chance .

We've spent the past 10 weeks in central & coastal QLD, went thru Emerald 2 days ago. We've seen oldies camping illegally practically everywhere that we've been. See a dunny block & they're there overnight!

A couple of days ago at the donation camp of Bedford Weir near Blackwater we heard an elderly couple talking about their first ''free camping'' trip of 8 weeks.

They were saying that they hadn't spent a cent, all the places that they mentioned were donation camps.

I am in a car club . It's the same thing . We get accused of being hoons when outside people want to show off . Of course there's often cameras or phone around .. Which excites them even more ! Trouble is we nomads or traveling campers get tied up in SAME conduct just because we are out there !!! Then the law and conditions actually effect US more than these idiots !! Who maybe don't live or are not citizens of Aust !!

Perhaps if the councils borrowed those spikes that the police stop cars with & put them out after normal visitors have left these places & a few tyres went "Bang", the word might get out!

In Townsville we get the same with both some Nomads & Backpackers camping at The Strand & in fuel stations' grounds. A friend who owns the Caltex on the southern end of town had to chain off a large area - the campers wanted to use the facilities but would not buy fuel or goodies from the shop.

Warren

This is only my opinion

But...

Anyone who camps at a "No Camping Sign" area, deserved to get fined by the rangers
By camping I mean, as reported, with awning and chairs out

Also those who do not donate at a donation site, are just plain spoiling it for responsible Grey Nomads

G'day all

Maybe these towns need a "Volunteer Camp Host" on site to assist with the running of the site

I've just spent a couple of weeks in Julia Creek, Qld as volunteer camp host at their RV Friendly camping area on the creek. A very busy and great time!!

The council privides hosts with guidelines as to what is okay vs not okay, and as well as the meet 'n greet part of things comes the polite reminders of the council's "rules". Should a camper resist a polite discussion re the rules, a phone call to the ranger soon fixes things [was not needed during our 3 weeks & nearly 600 RV visitors]

But that's the 'heavy' side of things - the 99.9% of campers who arrived there had no issues with the council rules regarding being self-contained, and all left the place spotlessly clean & tidy ... there is zero rubbish around in the grass and zero toilet paper "etc" either. Dog owners had 'doggy-bags', noise abated by about 9pm, gennys were okay during daylight hours and went off soon after dusk ... it all went beautifully

Phil

What was their rule regards self contained .

Thats a great idea Phil. Volunteer hosts. Maybe handing out tourist info brochures, reminding people of the rules and of course welcoming them to the area. Sort of like a quasi ranger.

On the other hand ?? I often wander if the local CP puts up these signs ??