Australia Road Trip: Where You Can Sleep in Your Car (Tesla + Teraglide Guide)
Australia is perfect for road trips—wide open spaces, coastal drives, and endless nature. With a Teraglide Pro camping platform and Tesla Camp Mode, your car becomes a safe, quiet, and lockable space to rest. Below you’ll find where car camping is legal, how to check local rules, and a curated list of real places you can stay overnight with official links.
Is It Legal to Sleep in Your Car in Australia?
There’s no single national rule — overnighting in a vehicle is regulated by state and local councils. In general, it’s legal if you’re parked in a designated campground or a rest area that allows overnight stops. NSW National Parks note that staying overnight is usually restricted to campgrounds inside parks. Always check local signage and council by-laws before setting up for the night.
- NSW National Parks: Car Camping Overview
- NSW NPWS: Camping Safety & Where Overnighting Is Allowed
- Parks Victoria: Free and Paid Camping in Victoria
- Queensland Government: Camping & Vehicle Permit Locations
- NSW Transport: Rest Areas Map (Official)
Tesla Tip: Camp Mode
New to Camp Mode? It keeps the cabin climate steady and powers USB/12V overnight — ideal when you use your Teraglide Pro platform as a bed. Read Tesla’s official documentation here:
Best Routes & Real Places to Stay (with Legal Links)
1. Great Ocean Road (Victoria)
Iconic coastal scenery with rainforest detours in the Otways. Book early during summer!
- Johanna Beach Campground — beachside, drive-in sites, book via Parks Victoria.
- Jamieson Creek Campground — unpowered sites, suitable for cars and campervans.
- Great Ocean Road Parks Network — private caravan parks along the coast.
2. Sydney → Cairns (East Coast)
From city beaches to tropical forests, this route has hundreds of legal stops for car campers.
- NSW Rest Areas Map — check official fatigue stops and rest zones.
- Queensland Camping Booking Portal — for national/state park sites and permits.
- Teewah Beach Camping Zone — legal 4WD beach camping (permit required).
3. Wombeyan Caves (NSW Southern Highlands)
Scenic caves, remote forest drives, and an easy legal base for overnighting.
- Wombeyan Caves Campground — powered/unpowered sites, hot showers, and bookings online.
4. Wadbilliga National Park (NSW South Coast Hinterland)
Untouched wilderness and peaceful riverside camping.
- Cascades Campground (Tuross River) — bookable NPWS site within the park.
5. Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (NSW New England)
Dramatic gorges and waterfalls — perfect for peaceful Tesla camping.
- Apsley Falls Campground — easy access, toilets, and walking tracks.
How to Stay Comfortable (Tesla + Teraglide)
- Sleep flat & organized: the Teraglide Pro platform gives you a level bed and smart under-bed storage.
- Use Camp Mode: keep temperature and airflow stable all night — official Tesla info.
- Fridge in the sub-trunk: fit a compact 12V fridge (e.g. Dometic) and power it with EcoFlow/EventFlow to save EV range.
- Book legal sites: NPWS, Parks Victoria, or Queensland Park zones only.
- Rest safely: use official rest areas for short breaks — never park on private property.
Quick Legal Checklist
- Prefer official campgrounds (NPWS / Parks Victoria / QLD Parks).
- For Queensland beaches (e.g. Teewah), get camping & vehicle permits in advance.
- Use rest areas for fatigue stops, follow posted limits.
- Inside national parks, overnight stays are allowed only at designated campgrounds.
Related Reads
- Turn Your Tesla into a Mini Camper with the Teraglide Platform
- Car Camping Safety: How to Ventilate Your Tesla Overnight
- Effortless Car Camping: Set Up Your Teraglide Platform in Minutes
Always check the latest conditions, fire bans, and access updates before travel. Australia’s wild beauty is best enjoyed responsibly — leave no trace and respect local laws.