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I'm currently road tripping across the Gold Coast. I find myself in Byron Bay, NSW, Australia and am looking for accommodation. I rented a small camper van and don't really wish to pay 70+ Australian Dollars for a camping spot in a caravan park.

I understand that free camping is likely to get me fined something around 1000AUD, but I'm pretty sure there must be a way to free camp without bothering anyone and without getting fined.

Is there anywhere I can camp for free in, or near, Byron Bay?

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  • In? Or nearish? (Latter seems a lot more likely than the former!)
    – Gagravarr
    Commented Jan 20, 2016 at 5:30
  • @Gagravarr I know camping is forbidden in Byron Bay county and the fine is 1000 aud. But I'm pretty sure there must be a way to free camp without bothering anyone and without getting fined. So I'm OK with both in and around Byron. Basically I'm looking for tips.
    – JoErNanO ♦
    Commented Jan 20, 2016 at 9:23

2 Answers 2

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Camping in streets, parks and reserves in Byron Shire is prohibited.

We ask that our visitors stay in approved holiday park, camping ground or other visitor accommodation.

There are 15 legal camp grounds in the Byron Shire and information about their locations is widely available online.

Council have enforcement patrols working seven days a week targeting this issue.

The fines for illegal camping range from an on-the-spot fine of $110 to a maximum of $2,200.

A number of approved paid camping sites exist within Byron Shire and their details are easily accessible online.

If you are passing through and looking for a highway rest stop please refer to the link below....

https://secure.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/using-roads/trip-information/rest-areas/map/

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+50

Although camping in Byron Bay and surrounding suburban areas is not permitted, if you head north of Byron Bay along the Pacific highway there are numerous free parking spots.

One of them is the Yelgun rest area. There is also one about 5 minutes north of the Byron turn off. If you go further north, you can also find the Sleepy Hollow rest area even further north but still south of the border.

If not flooded (it floods periodically), Stotts Island (about 4 km south of Chinderah) was also free, legal, relatively quiet, and picturesque, but it's no longer an option.

If it's an option, I would recommend trying to meet some locals who may be able to let you stay with them. This is particularly effective, as they will also know sites to see in the area.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/australasia-pacific-australia-new-zealand-antarctica/australia/cheap-free-camping-in-area-around-byron-bay?page=1#post_15700653 http://forums.kombiclub.com/threads/free-camping-byron-area.9934/

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  • Is there anything south of Byron Bay.
    – JoErNanO ♦
    Commented Jan 21, 2016 at 11:38
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    Update 22/02/2019 You can not stay anymore overnight at Stotts island so find another place if you are like want to do free camping
    – user92592
    Commented Feb 22, 2019 at 8:56
  • @user92592 thanks for the info. Please suggest an edit to this answer and update it.
    – JoErNanO ♦
    Commented Feb 24, 2019 at 18:29
  • @user92592 sorry, I rejected your edit since the comments don't show up when reviewing.
    – Glorfindel
    Commented Jan 27, 2021 at 10:14

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