Getting around the ( LAW) and free camping.

DMaxer · Guru

RE: Getting around the ( LAW) and free camping.

Baz421 · Guru

DMaxer wrote:
I think perhaps you might be a little misguided on this one, Jim. The problem you have is that if you inform a ranger or police officer you are too ill to drive and they proceed to issue an infringement notice, it will be up to you to establish your defence should you contest the infringement notice in Court. This will require medical evidence such as a certificate from a doctor at the least, and should you have only been feigning illness to stop overnight, you will then be drifting in to the realms of perjury when you give your evidence.

I don't know why people get so wound up about this topic. With a little bit of planning one can always find a spot to stop for the night. I usually find industrial areas near country towns a great spot. The local industry don't seem to mind as they then have a form of security whilst their business is closed. There are heaps of places to stop without getting yourself in to a great lather about outsmarting someone only doing his or her job.

Agree 100%.

I had a case where I could prove a speed/red light camera was faulty and brother in law a police officer said write to them and explain, which I did and they still proceeded.

Legal advice was pay the fine AS MAGISTRATES ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THESE DEFENCES and the cost would be far more than the fine.

It was a bitter pill to swallow.

PS : In the days following my letter to police the camera(s) were recalibrated - so I proved my point.

brickies · Guru

My son is a Barrister and has told me the hardest thing is trying to convince the client, The law is the law and just pay the fine has it would be cheaper .

wasn_me · Guru

This is a gigantic storm in a teacup. I just spent 5 months roaming NSW from Qld border to Batemans Bay. From the newel hwy to the coast. There are hundreds of free & low cost camps (below $15). I never saw a ranger or a council officer. I try to do the right thing & abide by signage at stops. Personally i think resting is staying in the car, camping is sleeping in the van. cheers pete

brickies · Guru

I also have traveled Victoria and New South Wales and felt so lucky to have so many free camp so close apart . But I wasn't looking to stay in a town area .

Bugsy · Veteran Member

The title of this thread say it all "Getting around the law"

If you are not part of the solution, then you ARE part of the problem and all the semantics with words and definitions doesn't change that one iota.

As one of those silly enough to spend a lot of my time trying to gain and retains freedom camps for us all I just when I read threads like this.

Hey Jim · Guru

Right That's IT. I STARTED THIS ONE. NOW I WANT IT TO STOP.

The GN's are here to have some fun not turn on one another with their own OPION'S Please!

I was only expressing Signage and my own past.

I have Heart problems that require medications that can cause side effects if used in an emergency. They are supplied by my cardiologist.

If I have a need to STOP.............. I STOP, Because I owe it to my wife. AND ALL other road users. NO MORE...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

HEY JIM

Hylda&Jon · Guru

sandsmere wrote:
If you are so tired that you have to stop in a designated no camping area then you are not planning your days very well.
if you are so sick that you cannot drive, get medical assistance.
If you are arguing and disputing council and rangers instructions then you are doing considerable damage to the GN cause and are very likely
to be part of the reason so many campsites are being closed down.

A very 'black and white outlook in my opinion.

We can't always 'plan' our driving. Things come up where we have to get from a A to B unexpectedly.

I for one can feel unwell and need to pull over and don't need a doctor or hospital. ie: bad stomach pains or cramps. These, most times, pass in a few hours. Also back pains so need to lie flat for a while etc

I don't know about others but I am not really capable of controlling my body to such an extent that I can tell it when to get tired and when not to, especially as I get older. I may have had a restless night so the normal 5 hour drive planned catches up to me unexpectedly.

If I am tired I will pull up where I can and sleep in the car. I dare any fool official to charge me for camping when I am asleep in the car.

Cheers

Jon

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Boy - this topic (which has been thrashed over so many times before) drags up the same pro and con arguments.

If you blatently choose to camp in obvious no camping areas for no other reason than being pig headed or a tight bum ($) then you will get what you get if the local authority enforces its by-laws.

But there are some Shires who ban free camping altogether in their huge sprawling areas. Broome in WA is an example. The Shires on either side of Broome have lots of free camping and 72 hr rest areas, some with good facilities. Main Roads WA also have great areas that are free.

Broomes CP's are often full and VERY overpriced, but the Mayor of Broome Shire is also the owner of that towns biggest CP. Conflict of interest I think !