Would like to know what to look out for when free camping or stopping at rest areas. Our van will be a jayco Expanda. Just wondering what everyone one does.
We never stay at a RRA that is closer than 25-30 km to a town. We have a look around to see if there are any broken/discarded grog bottles and if there are signs of hooning.
never had a problem to date
we don't drop the legs or roll out the awning and stay hooked up. If we do get chairs out they are put away as soon as we are retiring for the night. This way we are ready to leave if the need arises.
Others will have had different experiences and may relate those to you.
frank
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Avagreatday.
Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
I travel alone and have a campervan so that I can (if necessary) get from my bed into the driver's seat without unlocking the doors. It gives me peace of mind but has never been necessary. The main thing I find is to go with your "gut feeling" (intuition for the ladies). I have a look at who else is around and if I don't feel safe I move on. Hooning is more likely in or near towns, and if I'm parking where there are no other campers I make sure I'm out of sight of the road. I don't always pack everything away before going to bed, but if I ever feel threatened I don't think I'll worry about driving away without my chair!
The dogs tell me if someone gets close to the van, the dogs' owner has a cosh so beware!
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Cheers, Marianna.
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dogs (Mark Twain)
Like others have said, go with your gut feeling. I travel on my own, never had a problem, have left one free camp only because I did not like the feel of it, have no idea why, but this night it did not feel right, so I moved on before even turning Miss Daisy off.
Like everything, it depends on what you are looking for in a camp site and how you feel when you pull up. One thing I do know for sure is do not ignore your intuition, that is your best guide. I know when I have done this, I usually end up regretting ignoring it.
I have camped in spots on my own, never had a problem, have camped with others and so far never had a prob, so fingers crossed it continues that way.
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I am fun and adventure. So much to see, so much to do, so many people to meet. Will see, do, and meet all that I can.
We've only had one experience when I was feeling nervous - nothing happened except my husband woke me with a bang as he hit the side of the van having a dream!!! What I thought was someone out side turned out to be him. Went back to sleep happy. That was a roadside rest area.
-- Edited by neilnruth on Sunday 8th of June 2014 08:43:31 PM
Hi Middo I agree with all the comments above especially the gut feeling ,I was nervous as we first set out but now after a year or so I'm fine .
How did you go at the show did you Gond anything ,we were there as well and so many yo chaise from I thanked god we already had ours
In the last month we've free-camped at 20 different spots in Qld/NSW/SA and the NT....never had a problem. Met lots of really nice people who would come to your assistance no matter what. Just use your common sense as mentioned above. I really don't think you need "escape" plans etc as that just spoils the freedom of free-camping.
Good Luck.
Yep, I agree with you all, just read the signs, circle the wagons and have a good night around the camp fire.
Avoid the areas where the Christmassy Yahoos gather on long weekends etc, we've never had a problem, you will have more riff raff around in some towns caravan parks, not within the park usually outside. Go with your instincts as mentioned.
Bevan
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Bevan
Friendship is not a relationship with someone whom you've known for a long time, but with someone you trust, under any circumstances.
Our last free camp was 4km out of a small town on the Stuart Hwy where we had phone and internet reception. We hid in the bush a bit, no one knew we were there. Any further out of town had no reception so we were happy there by ourselves.
Pete
If you are worried about stopping at a free camp heed what has already been said above and arrive early . 1 because if it is a popular spot you can bet it will be pretty full, thus no security issue except for theft. 2. A lot of people will not stop unless a spot has someone there. If you are early the next person may be someone who will only stop if there is another van parked up. This way if no one stops by about 3/4 pm you have a few hours left to move on. Just reading Wolly and Pete I thought I have a hand held UHF that came free with my car UHF, if you had a hand held it may give you peace of mind if you don't have phone reception but are close to the highway.
Myself I figure I have as much chance of getting hit by a bus as I have of running foul of bad luck in a camp spot.
I have been free camping for about 3 years now. Never a problem. Go by you Camps Aus wide book and maybe WikiCamps. Join the two lots of info and you shouldn't have a problem.
Take on all advice above as well. I have camped hundreds of Ks from anywhere and also designated camps within a town where many others are camped at the time. You will get the right feeling when you arrive as to whether you think it's right or not.
Also don't forget the other type of camp, in between free camping and caravan parks. They are the places like Victoria River Roadhouse and Ariah Park in NSW. Nothing over 10.00 a night with all facilities. Maybe that could be a good indicator for you before moving on to free camping.
What did you spend your hard earned money on Middo, must admit Jayco wasn't for us either but we wanted an off road one so got a Spinifex Nomadix and love it
