Is it illegal to sleep in your car in the Australian Capital Territory?
We found no ACT law that makes sleeping in your car an offence in itself, but camping without a permit is an offence on Commonwealth National Land and in reserves that prohibit it, and in Namadgi National Park sleeping in a stationary vehicle overnight counts as camping.
Signs override this page. Whatever is signed at the site is the rule that applies, no matter what is written here.
In Namadgi National Park
In Namadgi National Park, camping includes setting up a stationary vehicle to lie down or sleep in it, and lying down or sleeping in a stationary vehicle between sunset and 2 hours after sunrise.
“Camping means—”
“setting up any stationary vehicle for the purpose of lying down or sleeping in or on the vehicle; or”
“lying down or sleeping in or on any stationary vehicle, tent, shelter, bivouac, swag, hammock, sleeping bag, mattress or bedding between sunset and 2 hours after sunrise.”
— Nature Conservation (Namadgi National Park) Activities Declaration 2019 (NI2019-32), s 6
Namadgi's established campgrounds are Honeysuckle, Orroral and Mount Clear. Anyone camping at one must pay any applicable fee and stay no more than 3 nights in any location.
“Established campground means Honeysuckle Campground or Orroral Campground as shown in Schedule 2, or Mount Clear Campground as shown in Schedule 3.”
“It is a requirement that any person camping at an established campground must:”
“pay any applicable fee; and”
“stay for a maximum of 3 nights in any location.”
Camping in Namadgi outside an established campground — dispersed camping — must be at least 200 metres from any road open to motor vehicles, for a maximum of 3 nights in any location. It is prohibited in areas marked “camping prohibited” on the declaration's maps, and in the area marked ‘Dispersed camping by permit’ it also needs an Upper Cotter Catchment–Bimberi Wilderness Area permit from the Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre.
“Dispersed camping means camping outside of an established campground.”
“It is a requirement that any person carrying out dispersed camping must:”
“camp at least 200 metres from any road on which motorised vehicles are permitted”
“stay for a maximum of 3 nights in any location.”
“DISPERSED CAMPING IN AN AREA INDICATED AS “CAMPING PROHIBITED” IN SCHEDULE 1 AND SCHEDULE 2”
“It is a requirement that any person carrying out dispersed camping in the area indicated as ‘Dispersed camping by permit’ in Schedule 2 must, in addition to the requirements above:”
“first obtain an Upper Cotter Catchment–Bimberi Wilderness Area permit from the Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre; and”
In Namadgi National Park, off-road use of any vehicle is a prohibited activity, and a motorised vehicle may be used only on a road marked ‘Motorised vehicle access’ on the declaration's schedule maps, where access is not denied by a gate, barrier or signpost placed by the Parks and Conservation Service.
“an activity listed in Schedule 4 is prohibited; and”
“OFF-ROAD USE OF ANY VEHICLE”
“an activity listed in Schedule 5 is restricted and may only be carried out if the requirements applying to the activity are complied with; and”
“It is a requirement that a motorised vehicle is only used-”
“on a road indicated as ‘Motorised vehicle access’ in Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Schedule 3; and”
“if access to the road is not denied by a gate, barrier or signpost placed by authority of the Parks and Conservation Service.”
Put together: a car cannot leave the marked roads, and camping away from a campground has to be at least 200 metres from those roads. So for someone sleeping in a vehicle, the campgrounds — Honeysuckle, Orroral and Mount Clear — are the only option in Namadgi.
In Canberra's nature reserves
Camping in ACT reserves is decided reserve by reserve. Where reserve land is public unleased land, a person who wants to camp there may need a public unleased land permit if the camping is not authorised under the Nature Conservation Act, and carrying out an activity a reserve's declaration prohibits is an offence with a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units.
“If land in a reserve is public unleased land, the provisions of the Public Unleased Land Act 2013 apply. For example, a person wishing to camp in a reserve may need a public unleased land permit if the camping is not authorised under this Act.”
“the person carries out the prohibited activity in the reserve.”
“Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.”
Black Mountain Nature Reserve's declaration says camping cannot be carried out there under any circumstances.
“This means that camping cannot be carried out in the Black Mountain Nature Reserve under any circumstances.”
— Nature Conservation (Black Mountain Nature Reserve) Activities Declaration 2016 (NI2016-314)
On Commonwealth National Land
Some land in Canberra is National Land, under Commonwealth law rather than ACT law. On unleased Commonwealth National Land in Canberra, camping without a permit is a strict liability offence with a maximum penalty of 2 penalty units, and each day the contravention continues is a separate offence. A note to the section says camping is only authorised under a permit for a separate regulated activity on public National land.
“A person commits an offence of strict liability if:”
“the person camps on unleased National Land; and”
“the camping is not authorised by a permit.”
“Note: Camping is only authorised under a permit authorising a separate regulated activity on public National land (see section 44).”
“Penalty: 2 penalty units.”
“A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits a separate offence in respect of each day during which the contravention continues.”
On unleased National Land, a police officer who reasonably suspects a person of committing or attempting an offence under Part 5 of the Ordinance (other than leaving gates open) may prevent it, and may remove the person, and a vehicle there as a result of the suspected offence, with such force as is necessary and reasonable.
“A police officer, with such assistance and using such force as is necessary and reasonable, may do any or all of the following:”
“if the officer reasonably suspects a person of committing, or attempting to commit, an offence under Part 5 (except under s 65, about leaving gates open)—prevent the commission, or attempted commission, of such offence;”
“remove from unleased National Land:”
“a person mentioned in paragraph (a); or”
“an animal or vehicle present upon it as a result of the suspected commission, or attempted commission, of an offence mentioned in paragraph (a).”
Not yet verified: whether sleeping in a car is “camping” for that offence. We found no definition of the word in the Ordinance. News reports say that in December 2024 Justice McWilliam of the ACT Supreme Court quashed a conviction under s 68 of a man who slept in his car in an unrestricted car park, finding that on those facts it was not “camping”. This site has not read the judgment, so it does not rely on it either way.
On other public land
Under the Public Unleased Land Act, a person uses public unleased land if they carry on an activity there in a way that excludes some or all members of the public, the Act gives parking a car in a park as an example, and using public unleased land without a permit is an offence. The Act does not mention sleeping in a vehicle.
“use, public unleased land—a person uses public unleased land if the person carries on an activity on the public unleased land in a way that excludes some or all members of the public from the place.”
“parking a car in a park”
“A person commits an offence if the person—”
“uses public unleased land; and”
“does not hold a public unleased land permit authorising the use.”
Not yet verified: whether staying overnight in a parked car is “use” of public unleased land that needs a permit. The Act does not say, and nothing read for this page answers it.
We read the Crimes Act 1900, the Criminal Code 2002 and the Road Transport (Road Rules) Regulation 2017 and found no offence of sleeping in a vehicle. Ordinary parking rules still apply. The ACT has no local councils, so there are no council local laws to read: the Territory government makes these rules itself.
If police ask you to leave
ACT police may direct a person to leave an area and stay out of it for not more than 6 hours, if they reasonably believe the person has recently engaged in, is engaged in or is likely to engage in conduct involving violence, intimidation or property damage, or conduct that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. Failing to comply without a reasonable excuse carries a maximum penalty of 2 penalty units.
“This section applies if a police officer reasonably believes that a person (whether part of a group or not) has recently engaged in, is engaged in, or is likely in the immediate future to engage in, conduct—”
“violence towards, or intimidation of, a person; or”
“damage to property; or”
“that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety.”
“immediately leave an area specified by the officer (an exclusion zone);”
“remain outside the exclusion zone for a period, decided by the officer (an exclusion period), of not more than 6 hours;”
“fails to comply with the direction.”
“Maximum penalty: 2 penalty units.”
“Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.”
— Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) s 175 and s 179, republication No 155 effective 23 February 2026
What this means tonight
- In Namadgi, sleeping in a stationary vehicle overnight is camping by definition, and with a vehicle the only places to do it are Honeysuckle, Orroral or Mount Clear campground: pay any fee and stay no more than 3 nights.
- In other nature reserves, camping may be prohibited outright — Black Mountain's is — and whether a car stay counts as camping there is not defined. Avoid it.
- Commonwealth National Land has its own camping offence. Treat a car stay there as unresolved, not as allowed.
- Elsewhere, nothing read here clearly prohibits or permits sleeping in a lawfully parked car — the public unleased land question above is open. Signs and parking limits still apply.
- If police direct you to leave an area, go; you can challenge it afterwards. More: asked to move on in the ACT.
Not yet verified
- Most reserve activities declarations — there is one per reserve, and only Namadgi and Black Mountain are quoted here.
- Whether sleeping in a car is “camping” on National Land, or “use” of public unleased land.
- Any rules the National Capital Authority has made for particular areas of National Land.
Where to go from here
- Free public showers in the Australian Capital Territory
- No vehicle, or no safe place tonight? — services that can arrange a bed
- Asked to move on in the Australian Capital Territory?
This is legal information, not legal advice. It says what the instruments quoted here say, not what will happen to you on a particular night. Signage where you stop and an officer's direction on the day both operate on top of it.
Where this comes from
- “Camping means—” “setting up any stationary vehicle for the purpose of lying down or sleeping in or on the vehicle; or” “lying down or sleeping in or on any stationary vehicle, tent, shelter, bivouac, swag, hammock, sleeping bag, mattress or bedding between sunset and 2 hours after sunrise.” — Nature Conservation (Namadgi National Park) Activities Declaration 2019, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “Established campground means Honeysuckle Campground or Orroral Campground as shown in Schedule 2, or Mount Clear Campground as shown in Schedule 3.” “It is a requirement that any person camping at an established campground must:” “pay any applicable fee; and” “stay for a maximum of 3 nights in any location.” — Nature Conservation (Namadgi National Park) Activities Declaration 2019, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “Dispersed camping means camping outside of an established campground.” “It is a requirement that any person carrying out dispersed camping must:” “camp at least 200 metres from any road on which motorised vehicles are permitted” “DISPERSED CAMPING IN AN AREA INDICATED AS “CAMPING PROHIBITED” IN SCHEDULE 1 AND SCHEDULE 2” “It is a requirement that any person carrying out dispersed camping in the area indicated as ‘Dispersed camping by permit’ in Schedule 2 must, in addition to the requirements above:” “first obtain an Upper Cotter Catchment–Bimberi Wilderness Area permit from the Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre; and” — Nature Conservation (Namadgi National Park) Activities Declaration 2019, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “an activity listed in Schedule 4 is prohibited; and” “OFF-ROAD USE OF ANY VEHICLE” “an activity listed in Schedule 5 is restricted and may only be carried out if the requirements applying to the activity are complied with; and” “It is a requirement that a motorised vehicle is only used-” “on a road indicated as ‘Motorised vehicle access’ in Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Schedule 3; and” “if access to the road is not denied by a gate, barrier or signpost placed by authority of the Parks and Conservation Service.” — Nature Conservation (Namadgi National Park) Activities Declaration 2019, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “If land in a reserve is public unleased land, the provisions of the Public Unleased Land Act 2013 apply. For example, a person wishing to camp in a reserve may need a public unleased land permit if the camping is not authorised under this Act.” “the person carries out the prohibited activity in the reserve.” “Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.” — Nature Conservation Act 2014, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “This means that camping cannot be carried out in the Black Mountain Nature Reserve under any circumstances.” — Nature Conservation (Black Mountain Nature Reserve) Activities Declaration 2016, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “A person commits an offence of strict liability if:” “the person camps on unleased National Land; and” “the camping is not authorised by a permit.” “Note: Camping is only authorised under a permit authorising a separate regulated activity on public National land (see section 44).” “Penalty: 2 penalty units.” “A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits a separate offence in respect of each day during which the contravention continues.” — Australian Capital Territory National Land (Unleased) Ordinance 2022, Australian Government — Federal Register of Legislation. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “A police officer, with such assistance and using such force as is necessary and reasonable, may do any or all of the following:” “if the officer reasonably suspects a person of committing, or attempting to commit, an offence under Part 5 (except under s 65, about leaving gates open)—prevent the commission, or attempted commission, of such offence;” “remove from unleased National Land:” “a person mentioned in paragraph (a); or” “an animal or vehicle present upon it as a result of the suspected commission, or attempted commission, of an offence mentioned in paragraph (a).” — Australian Capital Territory National Land (Unleased) Ordinance 2022, Australian Government — Federal Register of Legislation. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “use, public unleased land—a person uses public unleased land if the person carries on an activity on the public unleased land in a way that excludes some or all members of the public from the place.” “parking a car in a park” “A person commits an offence if the person—” “uses public unleased land; and” “does not hold a public unleased land permit authorising the use.” — Public Unleased Land Act 2013, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.
- “This section applies if a police officer reasonably believes that a person (whether part of a group or not) has recently engaged in, is engaged in, or is likely in the immediate future to engage in, conduct—” “violence towards, or intimidation of, a person; or” “damage to property; or” “that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety.” “immediately leave an area specified by the officer (an exclusion zone);” “remain outside the exclusion zone for a period, decided by the officer (an exclusion period), of not more than 6 hours;” “fails to comply with the direction.” “Maximum penalty: 2 penalty units.” “Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.” — Crimes Act 1900, ACT Government — ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 12 Oct 2026.