There may be no such thing as a free lunch but a free holiday - or at least exploring Australia without the expensive accommodation fees - is more of a reality than you may think. Thrifty holidaymakers across the country are choosing to set up camp on free sites in reserves, national parks and other unallocated Crown Land over commercial campsites. As well as saving money and avoiding overcrowded holiday parks, ‘free camping’ is a great way to get off the beaten track and see another side of the beautiful Australian landscape.
Like any holiday, free camping requires preparation. Before you jump in the caravan or pack up your tent, it’s important to research your intended destination. Never assume vacant areas are available for camping as much of the land in Australia is held under the Torrens title system or Crown lease. The best way to ensure you’re staying in a designated camping area is to search online for recommended spots or invest in a good quality camping guidebook. And don’t forget the map!
As many free camping sites are located within isolated areas, mobile phone reception can be limited. Take a satellite phone or radio for emergencies and make sure you have a way to charge your phone while on the road. You’ll also need to have facilities to dispose of toilet waste and other rubbish. The mantra, ‘leave no trace’ is crucial here.
When you’ve got these basics sorted, you can start thinking about the equipment that’ll make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Talk to one of the Aussie Batteries & Solar experts on or read on for our guide to the must haves.
The key to free camping is self-sufficiency, which is why portable solar panels are a definite must-have in our book. The foldable panels need only be placed in the sun and connected to your car’s auxiliary battery for you to have a clean and quiet energy source that can power televisions and laptops if used with an inverter. Mountable solar panels can also be attached to the roof of your caravan or motor home, allowing you to soak up the rays while on the move. Read our guide to portable solar panels to find out more about their uses.
Portable solar panels may be the preferable source of energy but in periods of bad weather or in case of an emergency, it’s a good idea to have an inverter generator as a backup power source. HYUNDAI digital generators use a modulated inverter system to ensure a stable flow of electricity that can be used to power even sensitive electronic equipment like laptops. While HYUNDAI generators are quiet, if you’re sharing your site with fellow free campers, be courteous and switch your generator off after nightfall. You’ll be able to better enjoy the sounds of the outback too!
Being away from conventional campsites also means being away from amenities like the trusty holiday park shop. That doesn’t mean you have to starve though, taking along a portable camping fridge ensures your food is kept as low as four degrees Celsius, even in the heat of the outback. Giant Power fridges also use a Danfoss BD35 compressor and come with 50mm insulation that can keep food cold for your entire trip. You can find out more about choosing a portable camping fridge by reading our guide.
Shop the Aussie Batteries & Solar range of portable solar panels.
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