The free camping tips every RV traveller needs to know.
What is Free Camping - and What Should You Check Before You Arrive?
Free camping can be one of the best parts of RV travel in Australia - big skies, quiet mornings and the feeling that you’ve really stepped off the grid (even if just for a night or two). But the difference between a blissful bush stay and a slightly chaotic “why did we think this was a good idea?” moment usually comes down to one thing: prep.
Here’s how to set yourself up so free camping feels easy, comfortable and enjoyable.
First thing’s first. Make sure you understand what free camping is. It can range from designated rest areas with basic facilities, to bush camps with nothing but a fire pit and a view. Before you roll in, check: whether it’s genuinely free or “low-cost donation”, length of stay limits (some are 24–72 hours), generator rules and quiet hours, and whether fires are allowed (this changes constantly depending on conditions).
Water Management: the Make-or-Break Factor for Free Camping
If there’s one thing that decides how comfortable your free camp will be, it’s water. Before you go, fill your fresh water tanks completely, carry extra jerry cans if you can (being mindful of vehicle weight limits) and know how much water you use per day (most people underestimate this badly). A simple rule: if you’re not sure there’ll be water, assume there won’t be.
Power Off the Grid: How to Keep the Lights on Without a Hookup
Free camping usually means no power hookups, so plan accordingly. Make sure to fully charge everything before you leave (phones, devices, lights) and use a solar setup if you have one. If you rely heavily on 240V appliances, consider a portable power station for your essentials. Also, be realistic about your fridge usage and battery draw.
Leave No Trace: How to Look After Free Camp Sites
Free camping works because people look after it. That means taking all your rubbish with you (leave no trace, always), keeping noise low, not taking up more space than you should and being careful with grey water disposal (only where permitted). The unspoken rule of free camping is simple: leave it better than you found it or at least the same.
Always Have a Backup Plan
Not every free camp is going to work out. Sometimes it’s full, too windy, too noisy or just not your vibe. Before each trip, make sure you always have a nearby alternative stop in mind, enough fuel to keep moving if needed and a flexible mindset (this is the big one). The best trips usually come from being prepared to change direction without stress.
The Comfort Kit That Makes All the Difference
Free camping isn’t just about saving money. It’s about swapping caravan park routines for open space, quiet nights and a bit more freedom in how you travel. But the secret isn’t spontaneity - it’s preparation that makes spontaneity possible. Get your basics right, pack smart and suddenly that random patch of bush or riverside stop becomes one of the best nights of the trip.
A few small extras can turn a basic stop into a great one:
- Camp chairs you actually like sitting in
- A small outdoor table
- Bug spray (non-negotiable in many places)
- Warm layers for sudden temperature drops
- A good book or something to slow the pace down
Free camping isn’t about roughing it - it’s about simplifying, comfortably.
If you’re looking for some of our favourite free camps around the country, be sure to check out Free Camps in Australia: Your Ultimate State-by-State Guide .
Not sure how you can search for free camps easily? The CMCA Traveller app is the ultimate trip planning companion. You can narrow your search, so you only look for free camps in your surrounding region. But you can also search for other RV services and facilities that may be of interest to you.
For more apps that are useful during your travels, here are Five apps every RV traveller should have on their phone.
