Campervan Parking Rules Australia
Read our handy guide on the current campervan parking rules in Australia to ensure you can keep cruising with no dramas or fines.
Every Bruce and Sheila from Cairns to Tasmania knows by now that the most ripsnorter way of travelling around Aus is in a “sweet as” camper.
And it ain’t surprising when we see 770,000 camper and caravan registrations made in 2021 alone!
But for those who don’t know, the parking situ isn’t quite as chilled as the vibes you get from Aus. There are a few rules to address before you hit the road.
So, strap yourself in for a quick debrief, and we’ll get you on your way quicker than you can say, “Jackaroo!”.
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1. Can you park a campervan anywhere in Australia?
Before we get into specifics, let’s clear up some basics, such as where you can park and when.
We’re pretty chilled down under, but like in any country, you can’t just park where you like. Australia has parking laws and regulations that mean you can only park in legally permitted areas.
For example, private property is off-limits unless the owner permits you. (I know this seems condescending and overly pedantic, but you never know sometimes.)
Other unpermitted areas include pedestrian zones, bicycle lanes, and certain downtown city districts, but we can get into all that later.
2. Where can you park a campervan overnight in Australia?
Australian law states you cannot stop and sleep anywhere in your camper unless it’s a specific place that allows you.
No matter how tired you are or how long you’ve been trucking, pulling over to sleep without checking if it’s okay can result in hefty fines and parking bans. Not cool.
Some permitted areas where you can park your camper overnight include:
- National parks
- Holiday parks
- State forests
- Campsites
- Motorhome sites
- RV-friendly towns
- Roadside campervan camping
- Beachside areas
However, not all these types of places will allow you to stay overnight either. It just depends on the specific rules of each location. So, we suggest you book a spot beforehand.
Failing that, make an enquiry or do some research to be sure.
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3. Is there free campervan parking in Australia?
You bet! Australia has thousands of free camping parking areas available and you can find them here. Parking and sleeping for free is a great way to save money on accommodation while staying in some super scenic spots.
All you need to do is plan your journey to guarantee the smooth sailing of arriving at one free camping spot before moving on to the next. But just like permitted parking for your campervan, free campervan parking is only allowed in specific areas.
Therefore, make sure you do your research before pulling up, kicking back, and setting up camp for the night.
Having gathered you can’t just park or stay overnight in your camper anywhere, let’s get into the crux of the campervan parking rules in more detail.
4. Road signs
Seems obvious, but please read the road signs.
Because if you’re cruising into a city for a day trip and fancy stopping off somewhere to grab a bite, it pays to know what the road signs mean to avoid shelling out on a pricey ticket that can eat into your travelling budget.
So, here are some parking road signs you should watch out for:
- No Stopping – No stopping your vehicle unless because of traffic conditions.
- No Standing – You can stop your car only for three minutes while remaining inside.
- No Parking – Your vehicle cannot be left unattended.
The green letter “P” parking signs mean you’re allowed to park for certain times.
For example:
- 1/2P – Half an hour.
- 1P – One hour.
- 3P – Three hours.
- P – Permissive parking zone.
- Arrow – Parking applies in the direction the arrow is pointing.
- 730AM-630PM Mon-Fri – Vehicles can park at the specified time.
- Ticket – You must purchase a parking ticket.
- Permit zone – Only permit holders can park.
Remember, if you receive a parking ticket, the ticket gets assigned to the vehicle, not the person. Therefore, if you ignore it and try not to pay, the owner or the next driver may receive hassle on your account. Plus, the charge will only be taken from your deposit anyway. So, don’t bother, eh?
From our RatPackers
Reuben was fantastic..he walked me thru how to do everything on line!! I'm computer illiterate 😔 explained everything re gear, insurance, etc..I was so impressed..recommend this company to anyone Ratpack also does all the searching for you for the best deals, a win win situation ..
I’m really glad to find this service. Reuben, the agent that helped me, was really helpful, communicative and informative about my travel needs and requirements. He found for us the best price for a campervan in the market (we also did our own research, but for sure he got the best option) and he made sure to follow up, answer my questions and call me to give me information about what we were looking for. Thank you very much!
I had Ben talk me through the entire process of booking a campervan, it was very seamless and he was beyond helpful. I strongly recommend this company for any future adventures.
Ben did everything to make sure we got the best deal! He was very kind, friendly and made sure we got everything we needed for our trip. Everything went quick and somooth and we can't wait for our east coast road trip!
Jenna rescued our trip! Her incredible support, coupled with excellent communication and a positive approach, made all the difference. I highly recommend reaching out to Ratpack for an exceptional experience. :)
Jenna was so lovely and so helpful to help me book a campervan for my first time going to WA!! Would 100% recommend this service. Thanks Jenna!
Excellent communication. Fantastic response to all enquiries I made, Joe was great from the beginning would recommend highly 👍
Rat pack (Joe is the man!) was an incredible resource for my friend and I to book a camper van for our upcoming trip next month. We had tried looking ourselves but vans were disappearing FAST and despite our worries, Joe hooked us up with a great option and discount. He was patient, well-informed, professional, and reassuring - just what we needed. Thanks rat pack, keep up the amazing (and free!) services… you’ve started us out on the right foot for an amazing adventure ahead!
I can't thank them enough for how quick and personal my booking was! They really got me the best deal even with a last minute booking and made the booking keeping in mind everything that we wanted! 100% going to us them to book ny next trip!!
Really straightforward system to book our camper, Gregg was really helpful and thorough - looking forward to our trip!
*Incredible service* *they don’t lie about the discount (around £500 for us!!)* *Easy* I just sent them a WhatsApp message, loosely detailing mine and my girlfriends plan. I got a response the same day, we then scheduled a phone call to discuss our plans further. Gregg was the chap who helped us out, and he couldn’t have made it any easier. We explored all options, types of motor, dates, prices, route of the trip. We covered all bases and within 30/40 mins we confirmed our travel. We will 100% be using these guys again for our following trip! Thanks:)
Jenna was amazing and so so helpful at getting us organised so late minute. And even directed me to another colleague to help me organise my activities when travelling up the coast. Super exited for our adventure now 🚐
George made the whole booking experience super easy and smooth for me. Would definitely recommend!!
Fair play to Reuben he made my experience of booking a campervan so easy! Great guy, found the best rates and went out of his way to make sure I had the best option! Highly recommend
Service impeccable avec Ben! On cherchait un van depuis quelques semaines déjà et on commençait à se perdre au travers toutes les compagnies et options possibles. RatPack nous a vraiment permis de trouver un van qui correspondait à ce qu’on voulait. Ben a répondu à toutes mes questions avec patience et gentillesse. Je recommande 100%
