Sleeping in your car in Alice Springs

Prohibited by by-law

In Alice Springs it is an offence to camp, occupy or otherwise reside in a tent, vehicle, caravan or temporary dwelling in a public place between 9 pm and 9 am the following day, without a permit.

Alice Springs sets fixed hours rather than sunset to sunrise — 9 pm to 9 am — and names a vehicle expressly. Note the compilation date: the text read here is in force as at 5 August 2010, and is the most recent the Territory register serves.

Signs override this page. Whatever is signed at the site is the rule that applies, no matter what is written here.

What this does not mean

A by-law is not a reason to sleep somewhere unsafe. If you have nowhere else, the services on the help tonight page can arrange a bed, and being asked to leave is something you can comply with now and challenge afterwards.

This is legal information, not legal advice, and it is the by-law as read on the date below. Signage and an officer's direction on the day both operate on top of it.

Where this comes from

• “A person must not in or on a public place between 9 pm on the one day and 9 am on the following day, without a permit: (a) camp; (b) occupy; or (c) otherwise reside in any: (i) tent; (ii) vehicle; (iii) caravan; or (iii) temporary dwelling.” — Alice Springs (Management of Public Places) By-laws 2009, by-law 26, Northern Territory Government (NT legislation database). Retrieved 31 Aug 2026 (the register lists this as the 2009 by-laws; the compilation it serves is titled 2010 and is in force as at 5 August 2010).