When planning your road trip it is a good idea to use rest
stops or rest areas to break your journey and overcome
driver fatigue. A Google Search can
provide you with a list of maps with Driver Reviver stops
operating. Driver Reviver stops provide tea, coffee and a
biscuit as well as restroom facilities.
Although the rules can vary from state to state in
Australia, rest stops and heavy vehicle areas are not to be
used for free camping. As a general rule, overnight camping
is not permitted within a 50 klm radius of the nearest
commercial camping ground/caravan park. You can be fined
for illegal use of rest areas or overstaying the time
limits.
The rules for the length of the stay in a rest area
vary depending on the controlling authority whether
it be the Road Transport Authority or local
council. For example, in Queensland, the Queensland
Government website states you can stay up to 20
hours, including overnight, at some Main Roads’ rest
areas.
A list of the rest areas including the GPS
co-ordinates can be downloaded from their website.
Where a rest stay is permitted it will normally be
signposted. The Northern Territory Government
website states ‘Road users may not stay at any
one rest area for longer than 24 hours’.
Caravans and RV’ers should not use Heavy Vehicle
Rest Areas or stopping places as these areas provide
rest and safety for truck drivers. For the purpose
of the legislation caravans are not consider to be
heavy vehicles.
Visitor Information Centres/Welcome Centres
Most towns and cities have visitor information
centres or welcome centres to provide a host of
local information. Information is provided on
places to stay, places to dine, recreational
activities such as fishing, whale watching, kayaking
plus local tourist attractions. You can obtain
tourist information brochures, local road maps, maps
for walking trails as well as information for you to
participate in guided walks or organised tours.
Local tourist information enables you to get the
most out of your stay in an area.
Some visitor information or welcome centres have
large car parks to enable you to park and
temporarily leave your RV. There is also a few
information centres that provide taps for access to
water as well as facilities (dump points) to enable
you to dispose of chemical toilet waste.
Travelling Australia
– for those touring Australia in a caravan, motorhome,
campervan, trailer or 5th wheeler see
here for details of maps and
travel publications.
Some publications provide GPS co-ordinates and Google Earth
can also be used to view an area in photographic form.
Other
articles that may interest you -
Caravan Parks & RV Van Parks
Where to stay? School Holiday
accommodation, beach side caravan parks, Caravan Park Chains ie. Big
4, Top Tourist, Oz Parks etc. Information on caravan park discounts
for powered and non-powered sites with or without ensuites.
Farm Stays and Bush Retreats
Want to experience life on the
land with country hospitality. Weekend breaks. Check out some
benefits of family friendly farm stays, bush retreats, station stays
and ranches.
