For many Australians, there’s nothing quite like packing up the car, loading the esky, and heading out to the bush for a weekend of camping.
Whether you’re a seasoned grey nomad or just looking for a quick escape from the city, camping in our national and state parks is a cherished tradition.
But as winter sets in and the crowds thin out, rangers are warning that a few simple mistakes could leave you with a hefty fine—and a ruined holiday.
Crackdown on illegal camping: What’s happening?
Recent reports from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have highlighted a worrying trend: more and more campers are flouting the rules, either knowingly or by accident.
Rangers have been busy issuing fines for a range of offences, from riding unregistered motorbikes to camping without a permit.
Some of these fines are eye-watering—up to $1209 for the most serious breaches.
Ranger Luke, who patrols popular spots like Benarkin and Wondai State Forests, says the message is simple: ‘Take some personal responsibility.’
He likens it to checking into a hotel—you wouldn’t just walk in and expect a free room, so why do it in a national park?
The most common camping mistakes (and their fines)
Here are some of the most frequent—and costly—mistakes rangers are seeing:
Camping without a permit: $322 fine
It might seem harmless to pitch your tent wherever you find a nice spot, but in Queensland (and most other states), you must book and pay for a permit before you stay overnight in a national park or state forest.
The fee is usually modest (around $7.25 per person per night in QLD), and it helps fund facilities and manage visitor numbers.
Riding/driving unregistered vehicles: $322 fine
Whether it’s a quad bike, dirt bike, or 4WD, your vehicle must be registered and roadworthy. Rangers have caught adults and children alike riding unregistered bikes, sometimes without helmets.
Not wearing a helmet: $322 fine
This one’s a no-brainer, but it’s still being ignored. Helmets are mandatory for all riders, regardless of age or experience.
Operating a vehicle with an unrestrained child: $1209 fine
This is a serious safety issue, and rangers aren’t hesitating to issue the maximum penalty.
Cutting down trees for firewood: Up to $2400 fine
As the weather cools, the temptation to chop down a tree for a campfire grows. But this is illegal in most parks and forests, and the environmental impact is significant. Collecting fallen wood is often allowed, but always check the rules first.
Why do these rules exist?
It’s easy to see these regulations as red tape, but there are good reasons behind them. Permit fees help maintain facilities, manage overcrowding, and keep you informed about risks like bushfires or floods.
Vehicle and helmet rules are there to protect lives—yours and others’. Restrictions on firewood collection and tree cutting help preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our parks for future generations.
As Ranger Luke puts it: ‘People might say ‘it’s just one tree, it doesn’t matter’ but the cumulative impact of 200 people doing the same activity starts to have cascading environmental impacts.’
How to avoid a fine (and have a better camping trip)
Plan ahead: Book your campsite online before you go. Most state and national parks have easy-to-use booking systems.
Check the rules: Each park or forest may have different regulations about vehicles, fires, pets, and more. Visit the official website or call ahead if you’re unsure.
Keep your paperwork handy: Print or save your permit confirmation and vehicle registration details.
Be fire safe: Only use designated fire pits, and never cut down live trees. Bring your own firewood if required.
Report illegal activity: If you see something dodgy, you can report it anonymously by calling 1300 130 372.
Camping in other states: Are the rules the same?
While this crackdown is happening in Queensland, similar rules apply across Australia. In NSW, Victoria, and other states, camping without a permit or breaking park rules can also result in fines. Always check the local regulations before you travel.
The bottom line: Respect the bush, respect the rules
Camping is one of life’s great pleasures, especially for those of us who remember the days when you could just roll out a swag anywhere. But with more people than ever enjoying our parks, a little planning and respect go a long way. Not only will you avoid a nasty fine, but you’ll help protect these special places for everyone.
Have you ever been caught out by a camping rule, or seen others doing the wrong thing? What’s your top tip for a stress-free camping trip? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
Also read: Council’s new camping crackdown sparks outrage among landowners
Most of these rules are needless, intrusive and costly bureaucracy. Takes all the spontaneity out of life – wandering through a park, camping wherever you happen to stop for the night, feeling the wind in your hair whether it is a bike, a motorbike or a quadbike, collecting fallen wood for your fire, restricting kids from riding motorbikes off-road as we did as kids. Insurance for motorized vehicles is good, but the rest is just the fun police. If we didn’t have the rules, we would not need the bureaucrats to administer them nor the rangers to police them and more could be spent on maintaining the wilderness through, for instance, adequate hazard reduction burns and track maintenance.,