When travelling there’s many times when you’re outside in the dark. Walking back from late afternoon Happy Hour that goes late, a middle of the night walk to the amenities, catching a feed of fish or fixing a perennial problem in your vehicle. Our favourite most used travel item is our torch.

These are just some of the times when you find yourself reaching for a torch.

You really don’t want to be in the Australian outback walking around at night in the dark. Matt and I were walking back to camp late one night in Rollingstone when we came across a venomous snake just in front of us on the footpath.

Read more: Driving North of Townsville to Cairns

Very lucky we had our torch!!

It’s why one of my favourite most used travel items I’ve bought has to be this excellent 1000 Lumen torch.

It is the Tech Light 1000 Lumen Rechargeable LED Torch from Jaycar Electronics.

It’s made of Heavy Duty Aircraft Grade Aluminium for the very toughest of conditions making it perfect for travelling with all the harsh conditions it needs to absorb while bouncing around in our Caravans and 4wd’s when we are on the move.

Another favourite frequently used travel item: Victron IP65 15a Battery Charger

It even has an o-ring seal to protect the inside from the elements such as rain and dust.

The 1000 Lumen LED lights produces a beam that reaches 390 metres. Its range is extraordinary and is ideal for spotting wildlife at night. The torch is great for middle of the night trips to the amenities block or ensuring you have maximum brightness when completing tasks outside in the dark.

Added Safety Benefits of the Torch

It’s also hard, tough and a good weight so Adele feels it provides her some protection as well if she is outside alone in the evening.

Adele said she isn’t keen on meeting a snake when outside at night so she takes this torch with her wherever she goes. It really is fantastic.

We found the torch was perfect when we were looking for Wombats. Being nocturnal these cuddly creatures come out in the evening and once we found one we could change the setting from high to low light so we weren’t affecting the Wombats.

The torch comes with 3 different settings – High, Low and it also comes with a Strobe light.

An adjustable head also allows you to focus the beam or widen the area you want to see.

Powering our Favourite Most Used Travel Item

There’s no continual cost for batteries, once the power runs out simply plug it back in to re-charge. Once it is fully charged the indicator light will turn green and you’re good to go again. When fully charged it will provide 2 hours of continuous use.

It comes in a great little sturdy box with the charger, 3.7v Li-ion battery and a wrist strap. We still have our box it came in, it’s a great way to store it and keep it in mint condition.

If you are interested in one you can order it online at Ebay from Jaycar for $59.95

Jaycar are an Australian Electrical component retailer which began operating in 1981. They have over 110 stores Australia wide. We bought our torch from Jaycar.

Technical Details of the Torch

Features:

• Heavy-Duty Construction Aircraft-Grade Aluminium
• 3 Light Modes High, Low & Strobe
• Adjustable Beam Width – Suits Indoor or Outdoor Use
• Beam Distance Up to 390m
• Weatherproof – Water & Dust Resistant

Specifications:

• Lumens: 1000
• Battery: 3.7V 3400mAh Li-ion
• Burn time: 2 hours
• Distance: 390m
• Light Modes: High, Low, Strobe
• Dimensions: 200(L) x 53(Dia)mm
• Weight: 390g (including battery)

We wouldn’t be without it and it has worked perfectly every time. What is your favourite most used travel item?

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

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Photography

Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.

Lenses

Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

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Where to Find Us

Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.

When equipped with everything you need to know to go Free Camping, Freedom Camping or Boondocking as they call it in the U.S., it is the ultimate overnight option for long term travelers whether it’s in a Caravan, Motorhome, Campervan or other RV.

When you’re looking for something low cost then Free Camping Australia wide is going to save you on accommodation while traveling.

Once you are aware of everything you need to know to go Free Camping it becomes easy, but for rookies like us when we first started out it can also be frustrating. This guide gives you all the information you need to start Free Camping.

I remember shouting loud and far that we would never Free Camp ever again.

Our first attempts at Free Camping

During our first few attempts we had alarms continuously going off in the middle of the night. Usually it was the power setting off an alarm as we ran low on battery, other times the water level was low or the grey water tank may have been full. Sometimes one of the inverters would go off.

We were such novices and had no idea what we were doing wrong.

With our first attempts we had midges that fitted through our insect screens and bit us all night long and insects would plague our lights inside. Eventually we wrecked our batteries from not knowing what we were doing and that proved a costly exercise.

Within months of leaving home we were up for 2 brand new batteries.

To save you the expense and embarrassment of making the same rookie errors we have put together this guide. We certainly wish we had a guide for everything you need to know to go free camping when we started out.

Everything you need to know to go Free Camping!

Let’s get started. Here is our guide on Everything you need to know to go Free Camping:

Is Free Camping Legal in Australia?

We are often asked will Rangers fine you for Free camping.

If you are Free camping in a designated Free camping area then you will have no issues. If however you stay the night parked in a carpark at the beach or any other location where it is not approved you will take the risk of being fined. Especially if there are ‘No Overnight Stays’ or ‘No Staying in a Vehicle’ signs in place. Therefore it is best to be equipped with everything you need to know to go free camping before you head off on your adventure.

Many Councils have by-laws prohibiting staying overnight in public places within their jurisdiction however if you are in a regulated or permissible location to Free camp you will have no legal issues.

What is Free Camping?

Most people believe it to mean somewhere to stay for no cost however it was once explained to me to mean Freedom Camping. I like this because it describes the entire Free Camping experience much better.

The benefits of Free Camping are much more than just the financial savings.

What is an RV Friendly Town?

RV Friendly Towns in Australia are towns that have met a certain amount of guidelines in Australia by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia, mostly called the CMCA, to qualify it as RV Friendly.

To be considered RV friendly the town must have:

• adequate parking for larger RV vehicles in or near its town centre for shopping purposes.

• it must have a provision for short term, self contained low cost or Free Camping as close as possible to the CBD.

• availability of potable drinking water

• an accessible free dump point for RV users

Whilst these are the primary factors for an Australia RV Friendly Town there are other possible features including an Information Centre.

These towns will normally have an RV Friendly sign as you drive into town and give you an indication of the facilities so you will have a good understanding of everything you need to know to go free camping in their town.

Why Free Camp?

Save Money by Free Camping

The primary advantage of Free Camping is obvious, to reduce the cost of accommodation whilst traveling. The more you can save by Free Camping means more you can put back into experiences. The reason you are on your Big Lap is to see as much of Australia as possible during your time on the road.

Some Free Camps may provide an option to make a donation. This can help to ensure good facilities and the ongoing availability of the Free Camp.

Reducing your accommodation costs goes a long way to controlling your expenses and keeping you on Budget.

Free Camping offers more Space

Free Camping also offers more space to enjoy your privacy. Most people when Free Camping will ensure there’s a reasonable space between campsites.

The rules for where you are staying may be posted on a sign as you enter and may be found on the website. Usually they are simple and easy to understand with little ambiguity.

Friendly Free Campers

We find people who stay at Free Camps have been away from mainstream longer and are therefore less stressed and more friendly. Everyone tends to say hello and afternoon happy hours are a common theme.

There’s a much greater sense of Freedom at Free Camps.

Is Free Camping safe?

We have been Free Camping in cities, towns, the side of highways and all around Australia. We have been Free Camping in Qld, Western Australia, Victoria and everywhere in between.

Not at any time have we felt personally unsafe. In most Free camps you will have other campers nearby. One time on Kangaroo Island we had a knock on our window at 1.15am but it was just teenagers being silly. By the time I looked out the window they were walking off in the rain.

Read about: Our Reviews on our 22 Best Free Camps around Australia

Free Camping Security

Motorhome Security

Whenever we go out, because we have been in a Motorhome, we have left our table and chairs behind to mark the space we were staying and neither it nor any of our other items have been taken. We don’t leave much out at night though.

Just like you would at home, any items which are valuable or prone to theft should be secured to safeguard from the lowlifes in our society.

Caravan Security

Free Camping can be a bit daunting for some at time. However, if you are fully equipped with everything you need to know to go free camping especially when you head out exploring, you will be less likely to have any issues.

If you were leaving behind your Caravan to go out for the day a good security system would be advisable. There are a number of good ways to secure your Caravan including:

Hitches

Hitchlocks which stops the handle being raised and a tow ball being inserted into the hitch. McHitch are a very popular brand of Hitchlock.

Wheel Clamps

Wheel Clamps can be fitted to a wheel or wheels to disable them from rotating.

Security Chains

Security Chains can also be used to chain two wheels together and ensuring the Van can’t be driven away.

Alarm Systems

Alarm systems are available that set off an alarm and locks the wheels when it senses movement after being activated. The alarm will sound for a short period of time unless it senses further movement. The brakes will be applied to the Caravan making it very difficult to move. The Witi anti theft system is great to completely safeguard your van when you are out for an extended period of time.

Tracking Device

A Tracking Device can also be used to trace a stolen Van making it much easier to be recovered.

What is the Cost of a Free Camp?

Generally Free Camps have no cost however some do ask for a donation or others may have a very small fee of $2 –10 per night.

Upon entering the grounds these small fees might be paid by an envelope, the local Ranger or a Council worker may come each day to collect. In most cases, your Free Camp is exactly that.

Read more: How to Save Money on Accomodation

How do you find Free Camps?

To find great Free Camps you can go to our website at Indefinite Leave and we have details of over 230 places we have stayed around the country including lots of fantastic Free Camps. Search from our Destinations menu bar by State or by simply choosing the Free Camps option under the Where to Stay tab.

Phone apps such as WikiCamps and CamperMate provide a thorough list of Free Camps around Australia. WikiCamps costs just $7.95 to purchase whilst CamperMate is Free.

The Camps 10 book is fantastic and provides so much detail in finding Free Camps and Campgrounds all across Australia. You can read it anytime, no need for internet coverage.

Information Centres are another excellent option in finding Free Camps. Sometimes however the staff may not be aware of all the opportunities to Free Camp locally or may not be at liberty to disclose the information. Sometimes they share information not commonly known online too.

One good way of finding out everything you need to know to go Free Camping in some small towns is to talk to the locals. We have had a few locals share with us some great spots to Free Camp that you won’t find on any app or website. They can be a great source of information.

Other travelers might also provide details of fantastic places to stay you may not have been aware of too. It’s a great question to ask and information you can share around a few drinks and a campfire at night.

Everything you need to go Free Camping – The Unwritten Free Camping Rules

There are some things to know about Free Camping that may not be on a sign. They are often common knowledge among Travelers and it is good to be aware of everything you need to know to go Free Camping when you first set off on your Road Trip.

Fires

Put out fires properly. Don’t just cover them with sand or dirt, this has been the cause of many horrific burns to people. Put the fire out altogether with water.

The responsibility is on us to be aware of any fire bans. This is a very important issue in Australia and needs to be treated seriously. During hot, dry periods of the year fires can be extremely hazardous.

Be aware of any fire bans and ensure you comply at all times.

Animals

Don’t feed wildlife. In many places this could see you fined thousands of dollars. If you are going to feed some animals, we like to feed lorikeets, don’t use bread, use a more natural food resource for the animal. Lorikeets for example love grapes and it does them no harm.

Feeding foods to animals that are not natural and are unhealthy to them can cause disease and death. This can include bread and even chips to Seagulls.

Be careful in the dark. At night is when a lot of animals come out to wander about looking for food and safety under the umbrella of darkness. There’s lots of critters in Oz you don’t want to meet at night without knowing it is there first.

Rubbish

If there are no bins provided please ensure you take your rubbish with you and dispose of it appropriately. It is very easy to do and there’s never any reason to litter.

Noise

Consider other campers with noise, music and generators. A few drinks around a Campfire at night can easily become a fantastic bonding session with new best friends however the family nearby with a sick child they are trying to get to sleep or who are planning an early start in the morning may not share your enthusiasm. Noise travels so much further at night.

Generator hours when Free camping vary and people will consider somewhere between 7-9pm as the right time to turn off your power supply. Usually there will be a notice board confirming when Generators should be turned off. Ensure you place your generator away from others and somewhere least likely to annoy other campers.

Honda and Yamaha are considered the quietest and best quality generators. Our Honda EU20i, now superseded by the 22ui, is an excellent generator and is very quiet to use.

Handy Travel Tip: How to Change OIl in a Honda Generator

What will you need to go Free Camping?

These are some items that you will definitely require and others that will make life so much easier for you when you are Free Camping. Here is our list of things to have so you are prepared for everything you need to know to go Free Camping :

Power

Solar Panels

Good Solar panels with sufficient power rating to power your needs will make Free Camping so easy for you. These may be fitted to the roof of your Caravan, Motorhome or 4wd.

Portable Solar Panels & Solar Blankets

Portable solar panels and Solar blankets are popular as they provide the option to move them to where the maximum sun input will be. So if it becomes shady you can move the panel into the sun in another spot, as long as you have enough cable lead to reach.

The Solar Panels then feed into Batteries where the power from the Sun is stored. There are different types of batteries with AGM and Lithium the most popular.

Handy Travel Tip: Cleaning Your Solar Panels

Batteries

AGM Deep Cycle Batteries

AGM Deep Cycle batteries are most common and cheaper. Most popular sizes of an AGM Deep Cycle battery for this purpose are 100amp, 120amp or 200amp. The more amps that are in the battery, the more power that can be stored.

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are now becoming more popular for recreational use in Caravans and Motorhomes. The benefit of Lithium batteries is they are much lighter and you can use more of the stored power.

You can use approximately 50% of the stored power within an AGM battery before it will need more power or there is risk of damage to the battery. With a Lithium battery generally you can use 80% of the stored power within the battery, sometimes more.

The cost of a Lithium battery is significantly more then AGM.

It is not my intent today to provide a complete analysis of these 2 batteries however you should do lots of research and work out which style battery will best suit your purpose.

We chose the iTechworld 120a LiFePO4 Lithium Battery for us.

Lead Crystal

Lead Crystal is another type of battery used in Caravans, Motorhomes and other RV’s. It is more expensive than AGM batteries but usually cheaper then Lithium. Like Lithium it has a deep charge allowing more of the batteries power to be utilised.

Before buying Lead Crystal check your battery management system will work with your Lead Crystal battery.

Battery Management System

There are numerous Battery Management Systems on the market but the dominant brands with the Caravan, Motorhome, 4wd and RV industry come down to primarily just 3.

Redarc

Redarc is an Australian Company which began in 1979 and is based in South Australia. They have invested heavily into the research, design and development of Solar Energy

Readily available and well recognised within the industry Redarc have several options available for your 4wd, Caravan and RV.

The Redarc RedVision  cost around $1973.81

The Redarc RedVision Manager30 kit costs approx $3186.81

CTek

CTek is another Australian Company and are very popular.

The CTEK Smartpass 120s battery management system works with AGM or Lifepo4 Lithium batteries.

The Smartpass 120s works in line with the CTEK 250sa battery charger to control and optimize energy and distribute to the battery banks.

We use the CTEK smartpass but find it difficult to contact CTEK direct for information, support and assistance.

Enerdrive

Enerdrive are a Brisbane based Australian Company who specialise in Solar energy equipment to the Caravan and RV industry.

They provide a quality product for those with the budget to pay for a premium product.

Inverter

An Inverter will convert your 12v solar power to 240v electricity. There are so many different options but we recommend that you ensure you buy a Pure Sine Wave Inverter when looking to purchase.

Different sized inverters are available to run and operate larger powered equipment however the larger the inverter the more power it will also use.

For our 4WD, I recently bought a 1500-3000w Inverter off eBay and it wasn’t expensive. We use it mostly to inflate our air bed when camping, run the compressor to inflate the tyres and other simple uses around the vehicle.

Battery Charger

One of my favourite recent purchases has been my Victron IP65 15a Battery Charger. It is a lot less complicated than setting up a DC/DC system in the 4wd and it doesn’t have the limitations a fixed connection does. I can take it and use anywhere at any time.

I was driving to purchase another brand when I stopped off at a shop and came across the Victron. They are a highly regarded brand and it was $100 cheaper then the one I was on my way to buy.

By using Bluetooth on an app on my phone I can also monitor it while it is charging. It works perfectly with either AGM or Lithium battery.

Water

The more water you can access while free camping the longer you can stay and experience the region.

Once you have found water it’s just a case of how much you can store. There are several ways of doing this.

Most Caravans and Motorhomes have water tanks which will hold clean water that you can use for drinking, showers, your washing machine and cleaning your hands.

Tanks vary in size and some RV’s may have more then one. By fitting a tank to your 4WD it can also provide more capacity and allow you to continually top up your Caravan or Motorhome by finding water on your days out touring.

Handy Travel Tip: Take a 4 Way Tap Handle

Water Bladders

Water Bladders are a popular method to contain water, especially within your 4WD. A bladder is more flexible and can be stored in the back tray, in the wagon or across the floor in the back seat.

Water Containers

Water containers are another great and flexible way to store more water. Jerry Cans can be stored externally to the 4WD or Caravan and generally they hold 20L of water.

Collapsible Water Containers can hold up to 20L of water and will fold flat when not in use. They are also flexible in where they can be stored around your 4wd or Caravan.

Water Pump

A Water Pump can be a perfect solution for when you are camped near a river or creek. You could pump water in to use for washing and showers and keep your potable water just for drinking.

Grey Water

Grey Water is the water remaining after a shower and washing. In some Free Camps you will be required to store your Grey Water and not release it on to the ground around you. The TYTO RV Park in Ingham at the Information Centre is an example of one of a number of such locations.

Storing your Grey Water may be by having a tank fitted to your Caravan or Motorhome that will automatically capture the water after it has been used.

Alternatively in many situations buckets can be used and then sealed so it can be released in a suitable location such as a Dump point.

In most places around Australia you will find the Grey Water can be released onto the ground. In this case you can run the water from your RV by a Grey Water hose to a place away from your campsite area and away from your neighbours.

Rubbish

Some Free Camps in Australia will have rubbish bins available however this is not always the case. There is no excuse for littering, simply collect your rubbish into a bag and place it in to bins next time you leave your camp.

It sounds easy because it is!!

Rear Wheel Bin

A Rear Wheel Bin is a great way to store your rubbish in Free camps until the next opportunity to throw it out in the appropriate manner.

Refrigerators

Fridge space is another factor that may determine your length of stay at a Free camp. Caravans, Motorhomes and RV’s are notorious for having small fridges and this is where an extra portable fridge comes in very handy.

Engel

Engel Fridges are well regarded as a great fridge and many owners recall owning one for many years.

Waeco

We have a Waeco model within our Motorhome as a secondary fridge option and they too are considered a good quality fridge.

Kings

The 4WD Supacentre has the Kings range which is cheaper and popular and possibly a great option.

Vitrifrigo

For our 4WD we chose a Vitrifrigo 130L upright fridge which we find is a great extra fridge option for us. The separate compressor means more fridge space too.

What is Black Water?

Black Water is your toilet waste which can be emptied at any of the numerous Dump Points around the country.

Toilet Cassette

To increase your toilet cassette capability many travelers have 2 toilet cassettes that they carry with them. Each cassette holds approximately 17-18L. The two most popular models are the Dometic CTS 4110 cassette and the Thetford C200 model depending on your toilet system.

Portable Toilet

Another option especially for campers is a Portable Toilet. We have a Kings portable toilet we use when camping in our 4wd and have found it to be great value. You can also use these as a back up or if your Van doesn’t have a toilet on board.

Toilet Chemicals

The toilets require you to use chemicals to break down the waste and keep it from smelling. We use the Porta Pak range of chemical which comes in simple satchels which are clean and easy to use.

What is the best thing to sleep on when Free Camping?

When out camping in many of the fantastic Free camps either in outback Australia or along our amazing coastline there are lots of options for where to sleep if you decide not to take an RV.

Rooftop Tent

A Rooftop Tent allows you to be off the ground where it may be safer and also capture better breezes. Some rooftop tents are very easily packed away in just a few moments. They are really popular and range in price from around $700 for the Kings Roof Top Tent to $5000 for ones that pack up in moments.

Tent

A Tent provides a greater amount of space and area to store items and get dressed in private and comfort. Tents come in a variety of styles, quality and size to suit all needs and budgets. Over the years the technology of tents has improved significantly and now they can be very easy and fast to set up and use. The Wanderer 7 man Tent like this one is a great option or we like this Coleman Tent with loads of features which is very similar to the one we used to camp on Fraser and Moreton Islands.

Swag

A Swag is a simple option to sleep under the stars and keep covered at night. There are a range of great Swags available for purchase and we were very close to buying the Adventure Kings Double Swag.

Read about: Our Whitsundays adventure sleeping in a Swag on a Pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef.

Relaxing by a Campfire

There’s nothing more Australian then a campfire at night, toasting marshmallows, a drink and great mates. It’s as Aussie as Vegemite.

Collecting dead firewood is also good fun and there are some great new chain saws on the market to help with the cause.

You will want a range of timber in all sorts of sizes, twigs and small brush to get the fire started, some more larger bits of timber to build the fire and later some large logs to make it easier than feeding the fire all night long.

Chainsaw

A Chainsaw will make the job easier and there are lots of options available.

A Petrol chainsaw is great especially for cutting larger logs. With more power and a longer bar a petrol chainsaw will cut faster and cleaner and will produce a great result every time.

The new Ryobi 18v Battery Chainsaw is much improved on it’s predecessor and is perfect for camping and cutting timber for a campfire. It does have its limitations but if you use the Ryobi Range of 18v tools like I do it might be a perfect option for you.

Makita, AEG, Stihl and more also have excellent cordless chainsaw options.

Our tips on Managing your Power while Free Camping

We were total rookies when we left and made a lot of mistakes in the early stages. If only we had a list of everything you need to know to go Free Camping before we left!! We especially absorbed far more power than we needed to. If you are setting off in your RV for the first time this is what we did wrong at first and hope you can learn by our errors!!

• Turn off your inverter when not in use as it still draws power.

• Power your devices in the middle of the day. Don’t power up at night.

• Keep solar panels clean to maximise power generated by the sun.

• Utilise power banks if you need to charge devices at night.

Handy Travel Tip: Solar – Creating and Managing our Power

There’s nothing better than a perfect Free camp. Feeling the sense of enjoyment while relaxed and away from the stress and pressure of every day life. Hopefully we have covered everything you need to know to go Free Camping. Let us know if we have missed anything?

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

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Photography

Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.

Lenses

Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

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Where to Find Us

Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-

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Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/

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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3

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This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.

Which do travellers prefer out of Free Camps and Caravan Parks?

Many of us love a great Free Camp but Caravan Parks can also be great places to stay.

The first thing we need to recognise is that there are different types of travelers. I put them in to 4 Groups.

Each of the travelers will have different setups, want a different experience and have different budgets. There is no right or wrong, just different strokes for different folks.

Types of Travelers

Let’s look at each of the travelers:-

The Holiday Makers

They head off for 1-3 weeks on holidays from work or long weekends.

You will rarely see them in a Free Camp.

Holiday Makers are still part of the active workforce and therefore have spending money.

These travelers are common Caravan Park guests.

They just want to get away, relax and enjoy a fun holiday.

They are looking for somewhere with lots for the kids to do to keep them active and enjoying themselves.

Their setups are generally basic and based on what was on the showroom floor.

They will want power to run all the appliances you would mostly use at home.

Short Term Travelers

These travelers usually have long service leave or have taken an extended holiday. They have a short period to fit as much in as possible.

They can afford more comfort within their trip.

This group also includes retired couples with homes who like to get away and explore but want to get back to the grandkids and families. Therefore they don’t go for long periods.

Short Term Travelers usually travel for around 3-4 months and up to 6 months.

Free Camping is an option but they often stay in Caravan Parks.

Our tips on saving money on Accommodation expenses: How to Save Money on Accommodation

These are the travelers that parks want to ensure they continue to encourage to enjoy everything the Caravan Parks offer.

Big Lappers

These are the travelers who are on their Big Lap, often for 12 months but sometimes longer.

They have little or no income and rely on savings or work as they travel.

Big Lappers are on a strict budget.

Tips on how to reduce the food bill while you travel: How to save Money on Food and Groceries

Their rigs have been designed to go off grid and they are self sufficient.

They love to Free Camp to keep expenses under control.

Families on the road mostly use Free Camps and Caravan Parks are basically where they will stop occasionally to give their kids some time in water parks and playgrounds.

These travelers will limit their stay or not go to places where they are forced to pay to stay.

Families feel royally screwed by Caravan Parks with the high extra costs of children to stay. This is a key reason more people choose to Free Camp over paying to stay.

Traveling Australia used to be the almost sole domain of Grey Nomads however Families are now a major part of the Caravaning adventure.

Couples who travel full time, either young or old, don’t need Caravan Park facilities and don’t want to pay much for them. They rarely visit Caravan Parks.

Living on the Road

There are more people now living in their RV’s than ever before. They almost never visit Caravan Parks.

This group will avoid crowded and busy places and like privacy and peace.

They will stay in one place longer as they are in no hurry to be anywhere and it reduces their costs.

Those Living on the Road don’t explore as much as other groups and generally enjoy the simple life.

Keeping their travels to their budgets is very important to them.

Which Travelers suit Free Camps and Caravan Parks

When we look at this it helps to understand the needs and requirements of each traveler on the road.

Group 3 will only stay in Caravan Parks on their terms. They need to focus on attracting Groups 1 and 2 to their parks.

Caravan Parks

Let’s look at Caravan Parks!

Without a doubt Caravan Parks are an important part of the Australian Traveler. Most provide great value, excellent facilities, are well run and have fantastic friendly staff who welcome you and help provide an all round enjoyable experience.

We have stayed in many Caravan Parks where our stay was part of the overall fun of being in the region.

We have compiled a list of our favourite Caravan Parks. Check out our list and save them for your travels: Our Best Caravan Parks around Australia

In the north we like to have our air conditioner on at night and a pool to swim in during the day so often we will stay in a Caravan Park. No point being over tired and cranky because you can’t get a good night sleep.

Caravan Park Accommodation

The cost to stay in Caravan Parks is often fair and reasonable. Parks with limited facilities are usually budget priced and available between $30-40 a night for a couple. Big Parks with all the toys or in prime position will cost $40-60 a night for a couple.

These are acceptable prices, especially to their target markets of Groups 1 and 2.

Need tips on how to save money on your Caravan Park stays? Save Money staying at Caravan Parks

The issue comes if you have more than 2 people. Our first 2 years were spent traveling with our adult son and it would cost us up to an extra $16 per night. Families with young children are being gouged with exorbitant prices and priced out of Caravan Parks when they are full time on the road with low budgets.

Caravan Park Amenities

We like Caravan Parks but some really don’t provide good value. Often just the basics are overlooked. My biggest issue with Caravan Parks are:

Poorly designed amenities blocks!!

Water ends up friggin everywhere……

How hard or expensive is it to put shower curtains in? Often the floor outside is level with the base area of the shower and it is so annoying getting out of the shower onto a wet floor and after drying off you try to put your shorts, jeans or undies on and they get wet. Or your wet feet would get stuck in your pants and you’d nearly fall over as they get caught up in your clothes as you try to get them on.

How can you get dry when water is everywhere?

Caravan Park Amenities – Self Cleaning Requirement

Then some Caravan Parks have the audacity, due to their poor shower area design, to leave a mop and bucket and have a sign saying we do their cleaning for them. The sign therefore even admits it’s a safety issue!!

A well designed shower cubicle makes a huge difference to a great Caravan Park experience.

Have you looked at the shower heads in some Caravan Parks? Sooooo gross!!

Then there’s the fun of walking back to camp in your wet thongs and flicking sand and dirt up all over yourself. When we get back we need another shower.

We now don’t even bother, if we do stay in a Caravan Park we still use our own shower and amenities in our Motorhome.

Caravan Park WiFi

As for the Free Wifi, you’re kidding right!!!

Seriously, do they ever work??

Do they ever offer more then a token upload to social media and you’ve run out of free data?

It’s awesome when you go back to reception to say it isn’t working and they inform you that no sorry, it doesn’t work on those sites. The Wifi only works near reception. Where’s a Face palm emoji when you need one.

Instead of a thousand signs with all the rules and things you can’t do, how about just one sign. Be a decent person or don’t stay!!

That sorts everything, we’re all adults and given responsibility most will do the right thing. Those that don’t wouldn’t have any way.

Pet Friendly Caravan Parks

As travelers originally with a dog we sure understand the frustration with being a pet owner and traveling the country. However we also witnessed some poor pet ownership during our time, not limited to the 2 dogs left inside a Caravan all day in an Adelaide Caravan Park just 2 sites from us who barked all day and caused mayhem. Can’t imagine the mess inside when the owners returned that day.

Unfortunately some dog owners ruin it for everyone and Caravan Park management end up deciding it’s not worth it. We were always able to find somewhere to stay, only Kalbarri in WA was an issue when not one place would allow us to stay during school holidays due to having MACKS with us.

It is that little bit harder traveling with your pets, it limits your options of where you can stay but there’s usually a good spot somewhere in town that will welcome you.

Caravan Parks Facilities

Many Caravan Parks have spent a fortune in recent years to upgrade their parks with all sorts of equipment. From water parks to jumping castles, play rooms to amazing camp kitchens, they are now like mini resorts. We have stayed in parks with outdoor cinemas, pizza ovens and all sorts of modern and expensive facilities.

This is awesome and will attract more of those in Groups 1 and 2 however those travelers in Groups 3 and 4 become even more isolated from staying as the prices to cover these updated facilities continues to increase.

Running a Caravan Park is an expensive and difficult business and most people would be staggered to know what they pay in rent, insurance, wages, water, electricity, waste removal, licenses, maintenance and so much more.

Rather then trying to close Free Camps, maybe Caravan Parks could provide a service that more relates to those in Groups 3 and 4.

Free Camps

Now let’s look at Free Camps!

Free camps provide more space. If it’s busy then it’s very possible space will be tight but generally you’ll have a bit more room to work with and for privacy.

The rules to stay all generally fit on one sign at the entrance or you’ll find them on the website or WikiCamps app. It doesn’t feel like school again or you have joined the Army when staying in a Free Camp.

There’s either no or a limited cost to stay which allows your funds to be used to take tours and enjoy the experiences you set out to enjoy.

Read about: Our Best Free Camps in Australia

Children are mostly better behaved when Free camping is our experience. This we believe is because they have been on the road longer, are spending more quality time with their family and are learning genuinely interesting things each day.

People aren’t carrying the stresses and pressures of every day life with them and therefore are more relaxed and friendly.

Free Camping Cons

Free Camps have no power and therefore no air conditioning for the vast majority. If it’s hot than sleep can be a lot more uncomfortable.

Some of us have generators which may annoy others. This is especially the case for us during bad weather when we are stuck inside and drawing more power yet less solar energy is coming back in to our system. For those that don’t like generators this can be a bug bear for them in Free Camps.

To Free Camp regularly you will need to spend a little more money on your setup. Grey Water tanks, Solar, Batteries, bigger Inverters and a generator may all be areas to spend some money depending on how much power you need and use each day. You will need your own toilet facilities and shower within your setup.

Find out about how to create and manage your power while traveling: Solar – Creating and Managing our Power

Self-Contained Requirements

You may not need all these things in all the places you go however to Free camp extensively around Australia, many places require you to be “Self Contained” and have these facilities on board.

A lot of people have different conceptions about what Self Contained actually means which is understandable as it often means different things in different places and by different Councils. It is normally defined by the ability to capture your Grey and Black water. You will need to have your own toilet and shower on board as most Free Camps do not provide any facilities.

Low Cost Campgrounds

Another great choice when traveling is Campgrounds. These might be formal campgrounds provided by local Councils or they can be Station Stays, RV Parks or owners properties around the country providing space on their land to stay overnight.

In each case they usually come with a small fee. Council Campgrounds and Station Stays are usually around $20-30 a night for 2 people and have basic facilities. RV Parks and properties are often $10-15 a night for 2 people.

These are great mid-ranged options for all travelers.

Check out our favourite campgrounds and save them to your travel list: Our 29 Best Low Cost Campgrounds in Australia

Choice of Free Camps and Caravan Parks

With bigger and better rigs being built every year, designed to provide more comfort and opportunities to spend more time off grid the challenge remains for Caravan Parks to attract clientele. Certainly they shouldn’t be relying on Full time travelers to be a major source of their income as Free Camping continues to be a preferred choice.

Do you prefer to stay in just Free Camps, do use a mix of both Free Camps and Caravan Parks or do you just stay in Caravan Parks?

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

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Photography

Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.

Lenses –

Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

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