The Unwritten Rules of Camping, According to Hundreds of Aussie Campers
What's one unwritten camping rule everyone should know? Turns out people have a lot of thoughts!
Just to be clear, this isn't an official rulebook and nobody's handing down the law here. It's more like a big campfire chat, hundreds of everyday campers, caravanners and grey nomads sharing what actually matters to them out on the road. And of course, the real number one rule always comes first: stick to whatever the campground or free camp itself asks of you. After that, here's what everyone had to say.
Give people a bit of breathing room
This was the big one. If there's a whole paddock free, there's no need to set up shop right on top of the only other van there.
- Plenty of space around? Spread out and give everyone some room
- Try not to cut through someone else's site, even if it looks like a shortcut
- Worth teaching the kids the same thing too
One camper summed it up nicely: "If there are hundreds of vacant spots, don't park right next to the only van there, give yourselves some breathing space."
Keep the noise down
Generators, music and early morning engines were easily the most talked-about gripe.
- If someone else can hear your music, it's probably a bit too loud
- Generators are great, just maybe not right next to someone else's tent
- Give the rattly diesel a minute rather than letting it idle away at 6am
- Not everyone's up for a chat (or a singalong) at sunrise, or still going strong at 10pm
As one commenter put it: "If anyone else can hear your music, it's too loud."
Leave no trace
Hands down, the most repeated message of the whole thread.
- Take every last bit of your rubbish with you
- Leave your site looking as good as, or better than, you found it
- Make sure the campfire's properly out before you go
- Shared toilets and camp kitchens deserve the same care as your own site
One camper's advice: "Take your rubbish with you. Leave your campsites cleaner than you found it."
Sort out toilet business properly
Not the glamorous end of camping, but it matters, especially for whoever's downstream.
- Bury it if there's no toilet around, and well clear of any water
- Toilet paper should never be left lying about
- Keep a sensible distance from other campers and water sources
Look after your pets (and everyone else's peace of mind)
- Keep dogs on a lead and close to your own site
- Always pick up after them
- Try not to leave them barking away while you're off exploring
Be a good camp neighbour
Beyond the practical stuff, this was really the heart of it all.
- A friendly hello goes a long way, especially if you're not sure what's okay
- Leave any bad mood at home, everyone's out here to relax
- Look out for one another, camping's always better as a community
As one commenter reflected: "All these things people are writing used to be common sense and common courtesy. Unfortunately they've both been lost over the years and replaced with entitlement."
And just for fun: quite a few people were sad that the classic caravan wave, giving a fellow traveller a wave as you pass, seems to be fading out. Consider this your excuse to bring it back.
The bottom line
None of this replaces the actual rules of the campground, national park or free camp you're staying at, always follow those first. But if hundreds of campers agree on anything, it's this: respect the site, respect the people around you, use a bit of common sense, and remember camping's always better when everyone pitches in as a community.