Where to park up for the night.
The free camping rules for every Australian state and New Zealand, and 72 free and low-cost places to stay near our pick-up cities and along the classic road trips. Every rule and place is linked to its official source, checked 25 October 2026.
- Follow the sign
- Rules are set by states and councils and change often. If a spot is signed "No camping", move on, whatever an app says.
- Rest areas aren't all the same
- Some let you stay overnight, some cap it at a few hours and some are for trucks only. Each state guide gives the official limit.
- Towns and beaches are the risky bit
- Busy coastal towns patrol for people sleeping in vans in streets and car parks. Council camps and caravan parks are the safe bet there.
- New Zealand is stricter
- Freedom camping on council land needs a certified self-contained van. If yours isn't, use DOC campsites and holiday parks.
🇦🇺 Australia
🇳🇿 New Zealand
New to campervans? Read free camping vs powered sites for the apps to use, what powered sites cost and why your fridge cares.
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