Hi RetireOnFire,

I have only recently started free camping and found a sense of freedom which I love. The main thing in my opinion is go with your intuition and gut feeling. If it feels creepy, unsafe, not right but cant put your finger on why then go somewhere else.

I have stayed at Rest Stops, Picnic Areas and in a parking area along a river. All these are in the country on the Far South Coast NSW and not in outback Oz. I don't set up camp in the rest stops as they are for resting not camping so I don't put out table, chairs, BBQ etc and I also keep the car hooked up and ready to move on if need be.  The picnic area was different and I could have done this if I wanted to. By the river was not designated camping area and was more of a day picnic and dog walking track for families so again I made it look like I was just stopping for a little break and not moving in permanently. Just use your judgement on each place as all are different. Free camping behind a country pub --- Cobargo Hotel Princes Hwy NSW --- with dump point, showers and laundry was great and when I asked the publican about how long I could stay he said 3 days. Therefor I knew the rules and where I stood (also I felt totally welcome and he did not make me nervous. Because of this I chose to make a small $ donation in appreciation. 

Wiki Camps is invaluable too as a reference.

I'm sure others will have different ideas and ladies need to be safety conscious and aware of their surroundings (both nature and human). Park where you can make a quick getaway if needed but don't get paranoid and miss out on a wonderful part of camping/nomadic life.

Above all.....ENJOY.

The photos are of the Scrubby Creek Picnic Area where I stayed for about 10 days (as the weather turned the dirt access track into slippery orange clay and I had to wait until it dried before I was game enough to tow my van out ---- lesson learned --- yes I'm new to this!!). This is about 20klm  south of Eden NSW and was awesome.

Thanks.........can't wait for the adventures to begin :)

Hi retireonfire, I free camp mostly, have been alone and with lots of other campers, go with your gut, if it doesn't feel right move on.., If ppl don't want your company they'll make it known..

Have been overwhelmed how nice, friendly ppl can be and I also experienced the ones that don't like solo females around, but that was their loss...,

Get out there and enjoy - Fran