11.4.4 Accommodation tips to the low budget motorhome traveller (BB)
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This article is from the soc.culture.australian FAQ, by Stephen Wales with numerous contributions by others.
11.4.4 Accommodation tips to the low budget motorhome traveller (BB)
1. Obtain the Automobile club district maps for the area. They are the
best to navigate by showing all the sights to see and have "Rest
Areas" marked on them. Now some rest areas can be nothing more than a
rubbish bin on the side of the road but others, particularly in
Queensland can have toilets,fresh water and even showers. As a
traveller you can stay for up to two nights at a proper rest area. I
know of two places within 20mins of the Gold Coast for example.
2. Obtain information from National Parks, State Conservation Areas
and State Forests on camping areas. Most are free and those that you
have to pay at are generally worth it. I regularly stay the night in a
State Forest near the Sunshine Coast.
3. Many remote picnic areas, lookouts etc are also good for one night
even if the sign says "No Camping". Who's going to know if it's only
one night and you don't make it obvious? Up to 10pm you're only having
a BBQ before returning to the camp aren't you? I'm not campin' I'm
goin' fishin'!. And of course you got up early to have breakfast in
the bush.
4. The first bit of bush you like. Often there are areas of unfenced
land on the side of the road. Just find a track and drive in (careful
if raining, don't get bogged). With all bush sites I prefer to be as
far away from the road as I can. First because it's quieter. Second -
if they can't see you they can't bother you, even if it's some kids
wanting to hoon around. I can remember one night at Mallacoota this
young couple drove right past us into the centre of the clearing (it
was dark). She got out and urinated on the ground in full view then
back into the car for some fun. Suddenly they realised that they were
not alone. Engine on, quick reverse out of their favourite parking
spot!
I have been touring this way for 24 years without any trouble but a
lot of adventure. Camping grounds are for when you desperately need a
shower or to wash the clothes. They invariably are built next to the
highway or railway, have noisy people who insist on partying all night
and wasting the daylight hours sleeping in, and aren't anything like
being in the bush at dusk or dawn when the native animals are active.
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