- Nature & Wildlife
- Inspiration
written by Rachel Mills
updated 9.12.2018
Find inspiration and
information for your next trip.
Get a local travel agent to
plan your personalized trip.
Book & travel securely with our money-back
guarantee and local expert assistance.
written by Rachel Mills
updated 9.12.2018
Fundamental to wild camping – or freedom camping – is self-reliance. Pitching a tent or throwing down a bivvy bag anywhere you like is a romantic concept, but intrepid travellers beware: sleeping under the stars comes with different rules and legal restrictions wherever you are. It also comes with responsibility for the environment and for your own safety.
To make sure you're clued up, here’s our complete guide to responsible wild camping.
/CC0
/CC0
It’s slightly more confusing in Australia as there are six states, all with different rules. It’s becoming harder to find land that doesn’t have restrictions – even national parks require a permit for backcountry camping.
New Zealand is a bit more relaxed and you are permitted to wild camp on public conservation land, providing it’s not expressly prohibited (or restricted to self-contained camper vans that have a toilet). In both countries there are some stunning DOC-managed sites that are free or just a few dollars, so there’s little need for stealth camping.
/CC0
/CC0
• Tent (with pegs and a lightweight mallet) or bivvy bag
• A sleeping bag
• Multi-tool
• Torch or headtorch
• Trangia or single burner stove and pan
• Food and food storage containers (leave the packaging at home)
• A refillable water bottle, plus a water filter or treatment tablets
• Warm clothes
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Toilet paper (and plastic bags to take the used paper with you)
• Hand sanitizer
• Map and compass – don’t rely on your mobile phone!
Top image: Old Man of Storr, Scotland © Pixabay
written by Rachel Mills
updated 9.12.2018
Rachel Mills is a freelance writer, editor and broadcaster based by the sea in Kent. She is a co-author for Rough Guides to New Zealand, India, Canada, Ireland and Great Britain a contributor to Telegraph Travel, the Independent, AFAR, DK Eyewitness and loveEXPLORING.com and an expert in sustainable, responsible tourism. Follow her @rachmillstravel on Twitter and Instagram and listen to her show Over Here on ramsgateradio.com.
Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert
Book securely with money-back guarantee
Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support