Are you dreaming of your next motorhome adventure around Australia? There are so many incredible landscapes waiting to be discovered. But, knowing exactly where you can park up for the night can be confusing. You might be left with questions like, how do you decide where to park? Can you just park a campervan anywhere?
If you’ve recently purchased a campervan or are toying with the idea of taking the plunge, you’ll need to know where you can park your campervan. To help, we have put together this guide on where to park up during your campervan adventures and where to park when you’re not adventuring. Let’s dive in.
In Australia, while there are plenty of RV-friendly towns and overnight camping options, you’re not able to park your campervan just anywhere. There are different parking regulations for each state. So it’s important you familiarise yourself with the appropriate rules to ensure you are complying no matter where you choose to adventure.
This is also a consideration for longer-term parking. If your vehicle is within the size requirements, you can park your motorhome in residential areas indefinitely in some states. But, again, it is worthwhile to do your research and understand what are the local regulations around parking a motorhome.
Regardless of whether you are out adventuring or parking up in your home state in between trips, the last thing you want is a parking ticket. As such, it pays to know the rules and restrictions around parking your RV. As these rules do change from state to state, ensure you do your research on where you can park up:
With all that in mind, there are still plenty of options when it comes to parking your campervan. You just need to know where to look!
In general, Australia has plenty of parking solutions for your campervan. Whether you’re looking for a place to park up for the night on the road or a long-term storage solution, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the places you can park your campervan in Australia.
When you’re travelling in your motorhome, one of the most reliable and convenient places to park is at a holiday park or caravan park. With so many holiday parks throughout Australia, you can rest easy knowing that there is a safe place to park your motorhome at night. When parking up at a caravan park, you can also take advantage of the campsite facilities such as the camp kitchen, toilet facilities, hot showers and dump station. These typically cost between AU$25-55 depending on location and facilities.
Another great option for parking up on the road is in national parks. There are over 600 national parks in Australia, each offering places to park up for the night. These can be found tucked in rainforests, next to lakes, overlooking beaches, perched on top of cliffs - you name it!
National parks in Australia offer a mix of free camping and low-cost camping options, depending on the location. These can range from a flat fee per campsite or a per person fee. On top of this, some you can pay on arrival with envelope drop-off boxes, while others require an online booking or payment online. To be sure, check out the individual state national park website before you arrive:
Top tip: National park campsite fees are used to help maintain the park and facilities such as toilets, rubbish bins etc. Payment is usually an ‘honesty box’ system. While it may be tempting to skip paying, it's good to remember your fees help keep these facilities open at such a low cost. Plus, you don’t want to risk a fine from rangers patrolling. Best to pay and know it's going to a good cause!
When you’re on the road, free camping is the best way to venture off the beaten path. These park-ups can include roadside stops, gravel patches, as well as designated free camping sites. These aren’t always the most scenic, but they are great for a cheap (often free) and convenient place to park up for the night. There are plenty of options for free camping throughout Australia.
Regardless of where you choose to park up for the night, ensure you Leave No Trace and do your part to help protect Australia’s wild places.
With so many parking options to choose from, it can be hard to decide which is right for you. To help, we recommend you download the thl Roadtrip app. This handy app features holiday park campsites, free campgrounds, and national park sites. You can use the app to find the nearest sites along your journey, and best of all, you can compare prices, styles of parking, and reviews from other travellers.
With its integrated offline maps feature, you can choose to pre-save your stops and have these available offline no matter how patchy the service gets.
When you’re not using your campervan, you will need to find a suitable place to park it to ensure it is safe and staying in tip-top road trip condition. However, it’s important to check that you’re following the local regulations. These differ from state to state, so make sure you check you are complying with the correct rules.
If you’re not planning on using your campervan for an extended period of time, you’ll need a more long-term parking solution. Long-term parking ideally should be somewhere that protects your camper from extreme weather as this is one of the best ways to care for your motorhome and protect your asset. Here are some of the top places to park up in Australia while you aren’t travelling:
For many, this is the most simple, easy and cost-effective option for parking up a motorhome. This could be in your garage, driveway or yard. Parking on your own property will likely be the most cost-effective way to store your camper, but you’ll also have the added bonus of being able to keep a close eye on it too.
If you are looking to park it at the front of your property, be sure to check the local council and governmental guidelines on parking in residential areas. Some may have size restrictions for parking. If your vehicle does meet the requirements, ensure you add additional safety precautions such as a wheel or steering wheel lock as a deterrent. Although, not everyone has this option, due to the size of campervans.
Another great option for parking your campervan is in a storage yard. For a fee, you’ll be able to store your camper with added security and peace of mind. However, these are usually car park-style facilities, so it’s unlikely they will be properly protected from the elements. Do your research online to find your nearest storage yard, and where possible, look for those that specialise in motorhome storage.
Top tip: Prices will vary from place to place, so if you are planning to park up for a prolonged period of time, it may be best to call around to see if there is a more competitive offer at a storage yard a little further out of town.
Another option is a storage facility that is covered or even underground. These are usually a little more expensive but will protect your campervan from the elements. These usually come with CCTV for added security, and some even have caretakers for extra peace of mind. Security and weather cover are both very important when it comes to protecting your motorhome from depreciation and protecting your asset in the long term. If price is a factor, it can be helpful to weigh up the cost over the lifetime of the vehicle.
There are plenty of parking options for motorhomes and campervans. With a little research and planning, you will be able to park up your motorhome all around Australia whether you are home or adventuring - hassle-free!
If you are ready to take the plunge into buying a motorhome, visit KEA and check out our range of campervans today. Not sure how to choose the right motorhome or campervan for you? The KEA team are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to motorhome buying, camper repair and more, and will happily answer your motorhome ownership questions. Drop into your local KEA dealership or chat with the KEA team today.