After just having a look at Exmouth, Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef WA this passed week we were shocked to read in latest Caravan & Motorhome Mag that this area was lorded number one of the "7 best freecamp regions in Oz" Heck that couldn't be further from the truth sadly this sign says it all. We left after 2 days. The Camps in and along the Ningaloo Reef in the National Park which all charge fees of $7.50 per person per night, no pets allowed, hardly FREE. Then it's the same down Coral Bay way there's a nice spot, 14 Mile Beach/Wahroora Station which charges similar fees, all gorgeous and beautiful places but so not Freecamp friendly, sadly.

It was once explained on a thread, when a magazine issue on free camps included some at near full CP price fees, that it was about freedom of location (a lovely location) rather than price . The words "Free Camping" sells magazines.

Most of the Western Australian coastal Shires are strong on no camping (including sleeping in cars) outside of authorised camping areas. They have their reasons. Many Shires had a hard time cleaning up squatters along the coast and they don't want to get into this situation again.

We read media articles about problems with the "campervan set" taking up residence in eastern seaboard towns. Prevention is better than cure. In the mining areas, pressure on accommodation has caused similar problems so the stand they take is hard.

Yep we've been really disappointed with WA Coast. Where there are free camps they are only 24 hours which in our way of thinking is just passing through for us, we have no opportunity to stay tour and spend our money around these areas good enough to offer Free camping, so they are missing out on the advantage of having a free camp in their district.
Inland is HEAPS better for REAL FREE CAMPING So we'll be heading inland when we head back south.
Mind you WA is a magnificent State and it's people are lovely and welcoming, shame about a lot of the councils.

Ash and wendy,
We spent several weeks in WA and yes the "freecamps' are 24 hours, usually that's on one side of the river, the other side is more relaxed, in some places we stayed 3 or 4 days, we even stayed (had to due to health) 4 days in Mary Pool which is a 24hr stop

I spoke with the guys who emptied the bins and explained the situation, he said "I wouldn't want to leave either

He told me that the 24hr signs were to give people the "hint" that they were not to stay there for weeks, but that 3 or 4 days were OK.

Some Pensioners from WA (mostly) used to use the area as a free "holiday" to get away from the cold and used to set up camp for weeks on end, which led to the "24 hour" signs

As Frank says, plus the hire campervans where camps can be, and evidence left after, very different to a clean caravanner. In the mining areas, it is due to semi-permanents setting up when unable to get accommodation for work.

Let's get back on track here...The original post is in the "your Say" section of "the mag"...despite the attempted rationale of trying to equate nice, expensive, non caravan park, camping areas with free of cost camps, Free Camps should be called for what they are...Free of cost camps.. This stops confusion.
There are many, many commercial caravan parks around Oz. which are just as or more beautiful than many of the lauded, so called Freedom Camps and less expensive.
IMO the mag. should stop this misleading trend and if they advertise "The 10 Top Free Camps In OZ" (sic) then they should be the free of charge ones.

Jock

Jock, when I say freecamps I mean anything below $10 a night,
To me a freecamps is where there are minimal amenities but the freedom to park without having someone set up so close I can hear them breathe, like in a lot of CPs

I don't mind national park fees, they usually go back into the parks one way or another.

On the other hand I do mind caravan park owners lobbying councils to close freecamps and forcing us to stay in their parks, we too went to Exmouth a couple of years back, had to stay in a CP as the national parks were full, stayed one night then go out quick

You see Frank, you have, probably unintentionally, just confirmed what I was getting at. Your 'personal' definition of a free camp is anything below $10.00 pn. BUT the next blokes definition might be anything under $15.00 pn and the next bloke's (like me) could be nil cost. Total confusion.
If they wanted to clearly define, the mag would do well to call their articles "Free & Low Cost Camps" - allthough some of the Camps they have mentioned recently and in the past are quite expensive and could hardly be defined as 'low cost'.
We are not fanatic Free Camp enthusiasts and, generally, prefer to stay in Caravan Parks..As do the vast majority of other travellers. As mentioned several times in the past, our ratio is about 70% CP's to 30% Free camps. I have stayed in many free camps which became absolutely jammed packed after 4pm to the point of being downright dangerous.. not to mention dusty and dirty.
To each his own - If you chose to pick up your bat and ball and nick off from the Exmouth area because you weren't able to Free camp then it was, sadly, your loss. Exmouth and adjoining Cape Range NP is absolutely magnificent and well worth a 7 day stay - even if you had to stay in a CP. I have no doubt that , as well as the NP, the other CP's in the area, including the lighthouse CP and Yardie Homestead CP were also near full.