Free camping and the law!

the rocket · Guru

RE: Free camping and the law!

Desert Dweller · Guru

Santa wrote:
Why do I constantly get the impression that many nomads are constantly working on ways to outwit local council regulations regarding free camping?
Seems people play all sorts of games to extend the duration of stay, camp/hide in prohibited area's, or simply dodge paying a few bucks after having the use a camp site and it's facilities.
Bludgers and fee dodgers reflect poorly on the whole GN community do the right thing.

You're dead right Santa. Our favourite gripe is when people ignore NO CAMPING signs that show a red slash across a tent & pretend that it doesn't apply to their caravan or motorhome.

You're not fooling anyone but yourselves. NO CAMPING signs apply to all types of campers otherwise they'd have NO TENTS on the sign.

Mutley · Senior Member

Santa wrote:
Why do I constantly get the impression that many nomads are constantly working on ways to outwit local council regulations regarding free camping?
Seems people play all sorts of games to extend the duration of stay, camp/hide in prohibited area's, or simply dodge paying a few bucks after having the use a camp site and it's facilities.
Bludgers and fee dodgers reflect poorly on the whole GN community do the right thing.

Yup! I've been travelling long enough to remember when rest stops were just that, somewhere to stop for a break, or lunch etc. There weren't too many vans on the road until less than 10 years ago & very, very few in rest stops. Now, we try to get a space in a rest stop & the free loaders have taken up residence in huge numbers - they dominate the space around the toilets, they park under the shelters & they treat you like you are trespassing if you dare to try to use the facilities where they are camped.

I'd love to go back to a time where we could just stop at the next rest stop & know that there would be somewhere for us to have lunch or a cuppa without getting dirty looks from squatters, some of whom have been in place for weeks!

Someone mentioned that they spend $400 per week while travelling, then cried poor pensioner! Mate, I work & there is no way I could afford $400 per week on recreation, which is what travelling is.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

I certainly have nothing against free camping in general. It is when some people over stay their welcome eg

(a) 2 days max allowed & some stay well in excess of that (knowing that councils may not check).
(b) the grubs who throw their rubbish around for someone else to tidy up.
(c) light fires when there are signs to the contrary.

We saw one chap Eyre Creek a couple of years ago - he was staying there for three months & utilising the wayside stop's toilet facility for that period. One could become bored after a few days at that location even though there were some nice birds there!

I'm reading a book written by Monte Dwyer called "Nomads At Large" - is both very interesting & humorous. After reading one called "Looking for the H Chord", I'm hooked on his books. Pat picked them up at Lyndhurst a few months ago.

Warren

Knightrider · Senior Member

This is the sole reason I never went to any gathering at "Happy Hour". Too many whingers - Government not doing enough, pension too low, caravan parks too expensive, fuel to dear, not enough free camps, have to pay to go into a National Park. Sick of the WIIFM (what's in it for me) syndrome.

meetoo · Guru

Knightrider wrote:
This is the sole reason I never went to any gathering at "Happy Hour". Too many whingers - Government not doing enough, pension too low, caravan parks too expensive, fuel to dear, not enough free camps, have to pay to go into a National Park. Sick of the WIIFM (what's in it for me) syndrome.

How do you know if you never went to one?

Can I suggest you try a Happy Hour, you might be surprised, eg to hear where the next great camp is, etc.

Cheers, John.

Phillipn · Guru

the rocket wrote:
Yuglamron wrote:
I would like to point out quite an important Fact.
Australia is a country and we supposedly employ people to help run the country on behalf of the PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA.
We are a diverse people made up of all sorts of people with different ideas/tastes/ incomes. Huge Diversity..

I will now pose a question based on my own experience.
Warnambool Vic. An area that has a large tourism industry.
Lots of CP's or Holiday Camps. It also appears that the owners of quite a few of these sites are the Council.
Now as I was made aware Freecamping or more correctly low cost camping has been outlawed by Council in their area.
I pose the question.
How can a council with a huge financial vested interest make any Law against freecamping if they have a financial interest in CP's.
Smacks of illegality in my view.
If you have a financial interest you should recuse yourself as a council.
It appears that they are protecting a vested interest.

In Qld One CP owner complained to Council about people staying in the area in designated stopover areas.
All closed. A little questioning of local business unofficially showed that the rest of the businesses did not support the closure of these sites because of loss of income from stopover Caravan and Motor Homers staying overnight
One business stopping other businesses from benefitting.
We all have different ideas about where we stay and why. But to call people Bums is not on.

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Friday 4th of November 2016 05:59:55 PM

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Friday 4th of November 2016 06:01:18 PM
hello yuglamron, yes, have noticed councils Having a monopoly on an area as well. I love the gypsy lifestyle and pay my way But enjoy free camps occasionally also.

A good example of c/p owners complaining about designated low cost camping is Murray Bridge. One c/p owner checks the showgrounds out most afternoons and has abused people for camping at the showgrounds. $ 5 unpowered and $10 powered a night.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes when camping ground in Alice Springs .The local caravan parks were camped out . No room for 8m motorhome . $15 a night in Showgrounds . Then we got a complaint I am told by the local camping park for camping there ., sheesh !! We did nothing wrong !! Even cleaned local toilets . Coke cans in urinal and toilet paper blocking drain . We are easy targets !! Don't worry we've mainly done the right thing ..