While in south west WA we encountered a ranger who was sympathetic to self contained vehicles camping in "No camping" areas, and an entire shire that has areas set aside for self contained vehicles.

It seems reasonable to me that if a vehicle and its occupants leave nothing behind, and take nothing except memories (and maybe the odd photo), then said vehicle and occupants should be allowed to "park" overnight just about anywhere.

I believe there are provisions of this sort in NZ and Europe, so why not here?

It's also my understanding that the CMCA looked into the NZ system and decided it would be too difficult to administer. And in Europe, the requirements for a vehicle to be considered self contained are too stringent.

Then of course you have to get all the local shires on board, a hard enough problem without any vested interests. But when the shire, or one of it's councillors, owns a caravan park there's little chance.

I guess the dream of being able to freely wander around Australia and spend time anywhere you like is just that, a dream. And as we get more and more people doing it, things will get worse in the remaining free spots.

So, my message to all you baby boomers out there thinking about hitting the road is, DON'T DO IT, stay at home.

Otherwise next time I go to camp in a pristine spot with ocean views, you'll be there first.

Till next time then, and remember,

don't dream it, be it!