Is the law for caravan & Motorhome are different .
Marcha said
07:33 PM May 15, 2018
Hi all ,
i have recently bought a motorhome and started traveling around Australia with my dog (Diego) . I am not sure if I am allowed to park in a empty car park overnight ? I was told that the law is different for motorhome than the caravan and I can park anywhere and stay overnight And keep going next day . Can someone clarify?
Thanks
Marcha
Lanock said
08:40 AM May 16, 2018
Over the years I have found that "parking" and "camping" are 2 very different things.
Parking is just pulling up and parking.
Camping is when you put out a chair/awning etc.
It depends on the size of your motorhome as some councils fine you for parking in a large vehicle in a built up area.
Some actually give warnings.
In my experience as I drive a 8ton Winnebago, I tend to "park" in shopping centre car parks if in a large town/city.
But use truck stops, rest areas, when travelling.
Most towns have pubs that love us to park for free as long as you use the pub.
It used to be a no brainer where to park, but these days the invention of Wiki camps has caused a lot of free camps to be overrun by backpackers and often the area is made off limits by the local councils.
If you join the CMCA you will have access to many more areas to park.
Good Luck and enjoy your travels.
nswoutback said
09:05 AM May 16, 2018
When parking adjacent to a road, it is best to read Australian Road Rules Clause 200. It covers length and mass.
When parking on controlled land, it is best to read the signage.
Marcha said
04:23 PM May 16, 2018
Thanks a lot for the great information. Now I am more clear and confident to where I can park or camp .
cheers
Marcha
Marcha said
04:25 PM May 16, 2018
Thanks for your response.
Cheers
marcha
vanman said
05:33 PM May 16, 2018
It is a pity that we don't have situation here like they do in the USA. You can park in Wal-Mart's car park plus many others. I can guarantee that someone parked overnight will spend money in the store.
Just had a few nights in Nashville and it was very evident by the amount of motorhomes parked near the Cracker Barrel restuarant were not there by coincidence.
Sorry it's a bit off topic.
Chris
-- Edited by vanman on Wednesday 16th of May 2018 05:34:51 PM
PeterD said
08:29 PM May 16, 2018
The laws are the same for both. It just seems that motor-homers are more brazen and get away with flouting the law more sucessfully.
HiAce98 said
10:05 PM May 16, 2018
I can't imagine why anyone would want to roll out the awning and bring out chairs in a shopping centre carpark. But I suppose if you do and you have not made yourself scarce before opening hours you may be told to move. But I've often wondered, why is it that there are so many ads and signs saying "Tired drivers die" and "Rest if sleepy" yet we are restricted on where we park for that much-needed rest. Personally I have a HiAce campervan, and if I get tired (which happens more often these days) I just park in any available parking spot and crawl into the back and sleep. If I'm only taking up a normal car park space, what difference does it make whether it's day or night, or whether I am in the van or not. You'd have to come right up to the window and peer in to see that I am on the bed, and there is no polite or legal reason for passers by to do that.
And yes, I have "rested" at a railway station carpark, shopping centre carpark or even just at the side of the road with no problem.
-- Edited by HiAce98 on Wednesday 16th of May 2018 10:07:49 PM
-- Edited by HiAce98 on Wednesday 16th of May 2018 10:10:02 PM
Tony Bev said
10:12 PM May 16, 2018
Hi Marsha Firstly, welcome to the forum
I sometime travel on my own, so I do know some of the trials and tribulation of the solo traveller
I am led to believe that the law is the same for everyone, regardless if they are in a caravan or motorhome If we get caught camping, in a NO CAMPING sign area, then we can not complain, if we are fined for camping there
There are plenty of official free camps, which can be found in the Camps Australia Wide book, or wikicamps on the internet
Sometimes the free camps are closed down, so it is best to get the current Camps Australia Wide book I believe that book 9 is the latest one, and book 10 will come out about February 2019
In my opinion (so I could be wrong), two reasons for the free camps closing are that
People not picking up the rubbish, so someone has to pay someone else, to eventually pick it up
Not spending money in the towns close to the free camps, does not give any incentive, for the towns to keep the free camps open
Peter_n_Margaret said
04:17 PM May 20, 2018
The maximum length for parking in a normal marked street parking area is 6m.
Vehicles with a GVM of 4.5T or more may not park in the street in a town area for more than 1 hour without a permit.
Cheers,
Peter
Aus-Kiwi said
08:43 PM May 20, 2018
Park in double parking at Bunnings or cruise to recreation grounds for overnight . If I canāt find ? Being an ex electrical worker . If find a local sub station and park off the side . Away from private buildings etc . Wherever I try to park out of the way . Seems some think itās their privalage to park where that want ? Even in truck sectioned off areas !!
Lanock said
07:27 AM May 21, 2018
HiAce98.
Well I thin k you have been very lucky. For myself I have had a notice on my windscreen on several occasions.
One was in Gympie and I was only one of several motorhomes that parked at the park and went to the supermarket. I received a fine for parking too long. 30mins means 30 mins.
One was in Ballina in the Information Centre Carpark next to the swimming pool. whileI went for a swim.
Warning notices in the Byron SHire are common. I love to go swimming but sometimes the parking gods object to my parking in town. Their notice says to go to the info centre for "camping" information, and next time I will be fined $180 for "camping".
Along with many others, I find the signs confusing. How can you take a rest when there is no where to pull over?
Guess that is why I avoid the coast and citiies, the country is a bit more friendly and I have many places to "camp" inland.
Enjoy your travels and Stay safe.
Marcha said
06:18 PM May 26, 2018
Thanks ,
informations are always useful Ant it is relavan for comparison.
cheers
Marcha said
06:21 PM May 26, 2018
Thanks Peter for the information.
cheers
Marcha said
06:26 PM May 26, 2018
Thanks Tony ,
I got to Byron Bay and will stay here for at least two weeks . I noticed the pupular places like Byron is difficult to find a free camping. I book in caravan park just 3.5 kilometres from the centre of Byron next to the beach and love it .
cheers
Marcha
Ausdigga said
12:02 PM Jun 17, 2018
Is what you say Australia wide or state by state or even a local council bylaw ?
Just asking
Ausdigga said
12:08 PM Jun 17, 2018
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
The maximum length for parking in a normal marked street parking area is 6m. Vehicles with a GVM of 4.5T or more may not park in the street in a town area for more than 1 hour without a permit.
Cheers, Peter
Is this Australia wide, state by state or a council bylaw?
Just asking
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:23 PM Jun 17, 2018
Australia wide as far as I know, but no doubt there are exceptions somewhere?
Hi all ,
i have recently bought a motorhome and started traveling around Australia with my dog (Diego) . I am not sure if I am allowed to park in a empty car park overnight ? I was told that the law is different for motorhome than the caravan and I can park anywhere and stay overnight And keep going next day . Can someone clarify?
Thanks
Marcha
Parking is just pulling up and parking.
Camping is when you put out a chair/awning etc.
It depends on the size of your motorhome as some councils fine you for parking in a large vehicle in a built up area.
Some actually give warnings.
In my experience as I drive a 8ton Winnebago, I tend to "park" in shopping centre car parks if in a large town/city.
But use truck stops, rest areas, when travelling.
Most towns have pubs that love us to park for free as long as you use the pub.
It used to be a no brainer where to park, but these days the invention of Wiki camps has caused a lot of free camps to be overrun by backpackers and often the area is made off limits by the local councils.
If you join the CMCA you will have access to many more areas to park.
Good Luck and enjoy your travels.
When parking on controlled land, it is best to read the signage.
Thanks a lot for the great information. Now I am more clear and confident to where I can park or camp .
cheers
Marcha
Thanks for your response.
Cheers
marcha
It is a pity that we don't have situation here like they do in the USA. You can park in Wal-Mart's car park plus many others. I can guarantee that someone parked overnight will spend money in the store.
Just had a few nights in Nashville and it was very evident by the amount of motorhomes parked near the Cracker Barrel restuarant were not there by coincidence.
Sorry it's a bit off topic.
Chris
-- Edited by vanman on Wednesday 16th of May 2018 05:34:51 PM
The laws are the same for both. It just seems that motor-homers are more brazen and get away with flouting the law more sucessfully.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to roll out the awning and bring out chairs in a shopping centre carpark. But I suppose if you do and you have not made yourself scarce before opening hours you may be told to move.
But I've often wondered, why is it that there are so many ads and signs saying "Tired drivers die" and "Rest if sleepy" yet we are restricted on where we park for that much-needed rest. Personally I have a HiAce campervan, and if I get tired (which happens more often these days) I just park in any available parking spot and crawl into the back and sleep. If I'm only taking up a normal car park space, what difference does it make whether it's day or night, or whether I am in the van or not. You'd have to come right up to the window and peer in to see that I am on the bed, and there is no polite or legal reason for passers by to do that.
And yes, I have "rested" at a railway station carpark, shopping centre carpark or even just at the side of the road with no problem.
-- Edited by HiAce98 on Wednesday 16th of May 2018 10:07:49 PM
-- Edited by HiAce98 on Wednesday 16th of May 2018 10:10:02 PM
Hi Marsha
Firstly, welcome to the forum
I sometime travel on my own, so I do know some of the trials and tribulation of the solo traveller
I am led to believe that the law is the same for everyone, regardless if they are in a caravan or motorhome
If we get caught camping, in a NO CAMPING sign area, then we can not complain, if we are fined for camping there
There are plenty of official free camps, which can be found in the Camps Australia Wide book, or wikicamps on the internet
Sometimes the free camps are closed down, so it is best to get the current Camps Australia Wide book
I believe that book 9 is the latest one, and book 10 will come out about February 2019
In my opinion (so I could be wrong), two reasons for the free camps closing are that
Vehicles with a GVM of 4.5T or more may not park in the street in a town area for more than 1 hour without a permit.
Cheers,
Peter
HiAce98.
Well I thin k you have been very lucky. For myself I have had a notice on my windscreen on several occasions.
One was in Gympie and I was only one of several motorhomes that parked at the park and went to the supermarket. I received a fine for parking too long. 30mins means 30 mins.
One was in Ballina in the Information Centre Carpark next to the swimming pool. whileI went for a swim.
Warning notices in the Byron SHire are common. I love to go swimming but sometimes the parking gods object to my parking in town. Their notice says to go to the info centre for "camping" information, and next time I will be fined $180 for "camping".
Along with many others, I find the signs confusing. How can you take a rest when there is no where to pull over?
Guess that is why I avoid the coast and citiies, the country is a bit more friendly and I have many places to "camp" inland.
Enjoy your travels and Stay safe.
Thanks ,
informations are always useful Ant it is relavan for comparison.
cheers
Thanks Peter for the information.
cheers
Thanks Tony ,
I got to Byron Bay and will stay here for at least two weeks . I noticed the pupular places like Byron is difficult to find a free camping. I book in caravan park just 3.5 kilometres from the centre of Byron next to the beach and love it .
cheers
Marcha
Is what you say Australia wide or state by state or even a local council bylaw ?
Just asking
Is this Australia wide, state by state or a council bylaw?
Just asking
Cheers,
Peter