![]() ![]() How to Find Off-Grid Campsites in Australia However, that’s not to say it’s not done. Unfortunately, we Australians don’t have that same level of (officially recognised) flexibility. In researching this article I also came across the term ‘Dispersed Camping’ where campers in the United States are able to camp on State lands outside of structured campgrounds. I really like the American idea of using a term like Boondocking when referring to off-grid camping (ie to be off grid and having no services etc) and then reserving a separate term like ‘free’ to be able to refer to any associated fees or charges. I also have a vlog that may interest readers when it comes to setting up for ‘self-contained’ camping – When it comes to camping on council lands (regions within our states) or state (crown) lands we Australians often use the term Free Camping.īut this term ‘Free’ in itself creates confusion and, in my view, an unfortunate sense of entitlement.Īs I outlined in a previous blog (refer: ) ‘Free’ can mean ‘off-grid’ or it can mean no cost (hence I coined the term ‘Scottish Free’). I think that this would be a bit of a special case where the authorities may turn a bit of a blind eye – but be aware of any stated overnight parking and/or camping restrictions. I did see a YouTube clip on the web where a couple of American guys talked to people in a carpark who were staying the night in Melbourne before catching the vehicular ferry to Tasmania the next morning. Shit! you’d never get rid of some of the campers.Ĭamping or staying the night in car parks again is not a thing that we do here. I just stop and wonder what it would be like if they allowed overnight stays at places like Bunnings (a big hardware chain). I guess you could do it – but be prepared to be woken in the early hours, asked to move on and face a fine for your stay. You may be able to get away with it in a campervan that doesn’t have surfboards on the roof and looks like one big holiday rig. ![]() It’s certainly not practiced by many campers in overt caravans and motorhomes anyway. Parking lot camping (including ‘Wally-docking’ at Walmart) here in Australia is not a thing. I’m sure many of us in Australia have crashed at a relative’s or mate’s place – but, I’m not aware of any formalised Air-BNB type arrangements where people offer up their driveways or backyards to paying guests here in Australia (yet). Let’s start with mooch-docking in private driveways. Advertisement – Check out the offers! Do Australians Boondock? ![]() Naturally, as boondocking is somewhat simply camping off-grid, it encompasses campgrounds, state lands and national parks etc. Heck, Walmart even have a published corporate policy on it (refer photo below – source: ) and there’s a locator map showing where overnight stays are permitted at Walmart stores (refer photo below – source: Roundabout Publications). While you may not have heard of ‘mooch-docking’ in private driveways, you may have heard of pulling up and camping in car parks at shopping centres and superstores such as Walmart. Well again, from my reading, and taking thoughts from boondocking seems to take place in people’s driveways through to camp grounds and out to national parks and other lands. Advertisement – Find some great deals on this site. I’m glad too that chose to use the words “off-the-grid”. Then, within the RV sector, we need to think caravans, campers, motorhomes and bigger rigs like fifth-wheelers. What I think is implied in the above definition (somewhat taken out of context) is that boondocking seems to be primarily capture the Recreational Vehicle (RV) sector of getting out and about – not the hiking or backpacking aspect. Wikipedia says that the term ‘boondock’ derives from American slang, referring “to the countryside or isolated rural/wilderness area”.Ĭ quite simply defines boondocking as camping “off-the-grid, far from the services and amenities that can be found at RV parks or developed campgrounds”. Not having travelled in America I find that my knowledge on this subject is somewhat limited to what I can find on the internet. Second, and here’s the link to the United States, what the hell is ‘boondocking’? What’s Boondocking? Firstly, I’d like to give big ‘G’day’ to our friends in the United States who are starting to make up a big percentage of readers to my website.
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