Holiday Parks vs Free Camping Sites: Pros, Cons and Things to Consider
One of the things that is important to consider when planning your campervan holiday is where you will stay, and this ultimately leads to the debate between staying in a holiday park or utilising free campsites. Australia has both in abundance and deciding which one will suit your needs best is something that a lot of people contemplate when deciding where they will stay during their trip, especially as there are so many amenities included in your campervan rental.
The most important thing to mention here is why you will need to utilise paid sites such as holiday parks during your stay. GoCheap Campervans recommends staying in a paid site every second night of your trip. This gives you the opportunity to prepare your campervan for the next few days of your journey.
What is the difference between a Holiday Park and a Free Campsite?
The main difference between a free campsite and a holiday park is the amenities available. Holiday parks are well equipped and offer a variety of sites from unpowered campsites to spots with ensuites and everything in between. Free campsites by comparison usually have little to no amenities available.
While the idea of being able to park your campervan without paying is tempting, GoCheap recommends staying in a powered campsite every second night. This will most likely involve paying a small fee; however, it gives you the opportunity to charge your campervans battery, top up your water tanks and empty things like the grey and black water from the vehicle. It also gives you the chance to use all the amenities included within your campervan as certain features, such as the microwave, power outlets and heating/cooling unit only operate when your campervan is running off the 240v power that is available at a powered campsite.
Image: GoCheap 2 Berth Tamar
So why even consider free campsites?
The draw towards free campsites can sometimes come down to simply the fact that they are free. If you are looking to keep to a budget on your trip, saving a bit of money by utilising free campsites is one way to accomplish this. It can be especially handy if you are only pulling in and sleeping in your campervan for the night before continuing your journey first thing the next morning.
Another reason that travellers may consider a free campsite is that they offer a completely different experience than a traditional holiday park. Holiday parks are a hive of activity, especially if they are equipped with amenities such as a playground. Free campsites are usually quieter and offer a bit more peace and privacy.
Another reason is the environment. Traditional holiday parks are usually very structured with roads, paved areas, structured gardens and designated areas for certain activities. Free campsites are often more natural and only have small areas for parking your campervan. The free campsite experience is usually preferred by travellers who are looking for an escape into the wilderness, as it offers more privacy and mas a more back-to-basics approach to a campervan getaway than traditional holiday parks. Sites like this can also be found in a lot of national parks, and although most of these involve a fee for staying overnight, they offer that nature-focused experience and allow you to enjoy the sounds of the park as you drift off to sleep.
Image: GoCheap 4 Berth Henty
If free campsites exist, why would I stay in a Holiday Park?
The reasons that a Holiday Park are often the preferred option for many travellers comes down to convenience, security and what amenities are available at the park. As mentioned, Holiday Parks offer facilities like water, power, and designated parking spaces designed for campervans. These are an essential necessity for campervan travel. You will need to regularly use a powered campsite with access to water and appropriate dump-points during your journey. Holiday parks have these available which means that when you are ready to hit the road again you will have plenty of water, a full battery and empty waste tanks ready for whatever comes next. The last thing anyone wants when heading down the highway is to get an alert that the black water cassette is about to overflow…is about to overflow…
Another reason that travellers may choose a holiday park over a free campsite is the added features that can make your trip more comfortable. Most holiday parks are equipped with communal facilities such as bathrooms, laundry facilities, and barbeque areas. Having access to these can make life a little more comfortable, especially if you have been on the road for a while and want to have a long shower and get you campervan stocked with nice fresh clothes.
Holiday parks can also come with a few creature comforts like access to Wi-Fi, playgrounds and some even have pools. Most holiday parks have websites that allow you to find out what sorts of amenities are available, so that you can choose a park that suits what you are looking for. Another creature comfort that holiday parks offer is in their locations, they are often close to local shops and tourist hubs. Which allows you to stock up on the essentials and find out what attractions are available in the region.
Image: GoCheap Tamar
Safety and security
One thing that may not have crossed your mind when you are making the decision between opting for a free campsite or a holiday park is safety and security. Most free campsites are remote and have no on-site personnel. This means that if you encounter an issue on-site there is no-one available for you to call on. Even though all GoCheap campervan rentals come with our 24/7 roadside assistance, nobody wants to be on their own when issues arise.
Holiday parks usually have on-site staff who are there to help you check-in, find your site and are there to help if you need anything during your stay. These staff can also be a useful source of knowledge of what there is to see and do in the area – as locals always know the best places to visit. Holiday parks are also filled with other friendly travellers who can share their knowledge and may have a few tips and tricks for those of you who are experiencing campervan life for the first time.
One other element to think about is security. Sadly, some people will have security concerns when staying at a free campsite, as they are often remote and have little to no security features like lighting. This remoteness can be a worry for those who are not as comfortable with the campervan life or are travelling with children. By comparison holiday parks are more secure, and are usually well lit. Some even require access codes to get into the park limiting the number of people who will have access to the area. These features can help travellers feel safer when staying somewhere new.
Image: Child at a playground – Tourism NSW
The rise of free campsites
While holiday parks have been around for a long time, free campsites are becoming more acceptable and popular. Local councils and government agencies are even hopping on board and offering their own alternatives to privately-owned free campsites. A lot of these run on a donation or honesty system that helps to maintain the site, and a lot have more amenities available than privately-owned free campsites. These council-maintained sites are becoming more popular for those who are interested in nature-based travel and keeping their campervan experience as laid-back as possible.
Travellers are also choosing free campsites if they are not in-need of the amenities on offer. These include travellers who are only in need of a place to park for the evening. If you have stayed in a powered site the night before and have a good amount of charge in your 240-volt house battery and plenty of water, a free site is a perfectly good place to spend the night if you are just planning on getting an early night’s sleep and heading back out on the road first thing in the morning.
Image: GoCheap 6 Berth Derwent
Mix and match between the two
A lot of travellers make the decision to mix and match their options. They chose to alternate between free campsites and holiday parks. This gives the best of both options, giving travellers the benefits of keeping their trip within a budget while still giving regular access to the creature comforts and essentials that an overnight stay in a holiday park will offer. If you are planning to mix and match your stays, remember that you will need to have access to a powered site, water hook-up and dump-point every second day. This will keep your in-house battery charged and ensure that you have water and power for the duration of your trip.
When taking a GoCheap Campervan on your journey you will need to stay hooked up to a 240-volt power source for around 8 to 14 hours to charge your in-house battery. This is why we recommend staying in a powered site every second night, so your battery can recharge while you sleep. If you want to find out more about how to keep charged during your trip, our parent company Cruisin’ Motorhomes has a great article for you to read on Keeping Your Devices Powered.
Ready to start planning your trip?
We have a bunch of resources, including itineraries, available on our website. You can find some holiday park recommendations in our travel blog, and check the amenities that are included in the campervans that are available.
Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the campervans we have available at our branches!
