Free camping in Australia: the official rules
There is no national rule. Each state, park agency and council writes its own, so the answer depends on exactly where you stop for the night. These are the rules the agencies publish.
Victoria’s state forests: free, with conditions
The Victorian Government says you can camp anywhere in a Victorian state forest if you set up at least 20 metres from waterways and stay no longer than 28 consecutive nights1. State forests are one of the few places in Australia where informal campervan camping is written into the rules.
- Toilets. Use the forest’s toilets where they exist; where there is no toilet nearby, dig a hole at least 30cm deep or use your own portable toilet, at least 100 metres from a waterway1. A campervan with its own toilet makes this much easier.
- Washing up. Pour dishwater at least 50 metres from rivers, creeks or other waterways1, and never wash in the creek itself.
Victoria’s national and state parks
Parks Victoria says dispersed or bush camping, outside designated campgrounds, is allowed in many Victorian parks, but you need to be self-sufficient2. It is not allowed everywhere: check the specific park page to see whether dispersed camping is permitted there2. At bookable campgrounds the opposite applies: at bookable sites, camping is only permitted at your designated site2.
Queensland: a permit, even in state forests
Queensland does not have free camping in its parks and forests. Camping permit fees apply in national parks and other protected areas, forest reserves, state forests and recreation areas3: $7.75 per person per night, or $31.00 per family per night3. You must book and pay for a camping permit before you arrive at a camping area3, and the camping tag must be displayed on your tent, vehicle or other camping equipment as soon as you set up3.
New South Wales national parks
NSW parks price camping campground by campground, and many charge park entry on top. At Depot Beach, for example, NSW lists $8 per vehicle per day park entry at Murramarang National Park, on top of camping fees4. Check the campground’s own page before you go.
Towns, roadsides and rest areas
Outside parks and forests, local councils decide whether you can sleep in a vehicle, and the rules change from one council to the next. Look for signs at the site, check the council’s website, and do not assume a rest area allows an overnight stop.
Questions for your hire company
- Does the van have a toilet and grey-water tank, and are you allowed to use them?
- Are unsealed roads, beaches or forest tracks allowed under the hire terms?
- Does the hire price include camping gear such as chairs and a table?
Paid nights go into the calculator: Queensland’s per-person fee has its own field.
Work out your own trip: open the campervan hire calculator. It starts with sourced defaults and leaves the rest for your quote.
Sources
- Victorian Government, Camping in State forests. Checked 31 October 2026.
- Parks Victoria, Camping in Victoria. Checked 31 October 2026.
- Queensland Parks and Forests, Camping bookings and fees. Checked 31 October 2026.
- NSW National Parks, Depot Beach campground. Checked 31 October 2026.