Speaking of free camping last week, here is how to find a spot that is actually legal, actually quiet, and does not end with a knock on your window at 2am.

Free camping is one of the best parts of road tripping Australia, but “free” does not mean "pull over wherever you like." A bit of homework saves you a fine, a rough night's sleep, or a very early wake up call.

1. Start with WikiCamps or Camps Australia Wide

Both apps mark verified free and low cost camps with their legal status, amenities and recent reviews. Campermate is worth having on your phone too, it is free and good for finding dump points and public toilets. If a spot has no reviews at all, treat it as unproven and line up a plan B before you commit to driving out there.

2. Read the reviews properly

The reviews tell you what the listing will not. Some spots are RV only, some are right next to a highway, some have a gate that gets locked at 6pm. I once parked in an RV only site with my van and got woken up in the night to move, lesson learned 😅 I am pretty easy going, anywhere quiet with a public toilet does the job for me, but you still want to know what you are signing up for.

3. Check what is around you

Once you have picked your spot, zoom out. How far is the nearest town? If something goes wrong at 11pm, where would you go? Assume you will have no reception out there, and download the offline map for that area in Google Maps before you leave the last town with signal.

4. Arrive an hour before sunset, and have a plan B

This is Marco's number one rule, not really mine, but he is right. Arriving in daylight means you can see the ground you are parking on, check the spot actually matches the reviews, and drive off to plan B if it does not. It matters even more if you have a rooftop tent that needs setting up. With a van you can just park and relax, so you have got a bit more freedom, but still know where your plan B is before dark.

5. Leave it better than you found it

Take every bit of rubbish with you, including the stuff that was already there if you can carry it. Littering is illegal in Australia, and free camps get closed down when people trash them. Every spot that shuts is one less on the map for the traveller behind you.

Free camping properly is a skill, and it comes fast. Two or three nights in and you will be a pro 🚐

Arriving somewhere late with nowhere booked?

Sometimes you just need to crash. A quiet residential street or a spot outside somewhere like a library will get you through the night, and I have done it more than once. Be honest with yourself that this is the backup option, not the plan. Most councils don't allow it, so arrive late, leave early, and don't set anything up.