Brisbane: sleeping in your car
Vehicle camping: prohibited (exceptions)
In Brisbane it is illegal to camp overnight in a vehicle on a road or road-related area, including footpaths, dividing strips, public cycle paths, road shoulders and reserves, under the Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021.
Brisbane City Council lists circumstances where overnight stays in a vehicle are allowed: in designated signed areas, to manage fatigue, for personal safety, in emergencies, and in tourism facilities such as caravan parks and camping grounds.
The council's own exceptions (designated signed areas, fatigue management, personal safety, emergencies) mean a fatigue stop at a signed state rest area is consistent with this local law. Camping — as opposed to a fatigue stop — is prohibited.
Signs override this page. Whatever is signed at the site is the rule that applies, no matter what is written here.
State rest areas here (21)
- Aspley Rotary Park, Carseldinetoilet · up to 20 h
- Bancroft Park, Kelvin Groveup to 20 h
- Bellbird Grove, Enoggera Reservoirtoilet · up to 20 h
- Camp Mountain Lookout, Enoggera Reservoirtoilet · up to 20 h
- Dorrington Park, Ashgrovetoilet · up to 20 h
- Fenwick Park, Mitcheltontoilet · up to 20 h
- Ferguson Park, Enoggeratoilet · up to 20 h
- Ferny Grove Picnic Groundtoilet · up to 20 h
- Jindalee Parkup to 20 h
- Keperra Picnic Grounds, Ferny Grovetoilet · up to 20 h
- Lions Park Aspleytoilet · up to 20 h
- Mahaca Park, Bridgeman Downsup to 20 h
- Marchant Park, Aspleyup to 20 h
- Mitchelton Parktoilet · up to 20 h
- Moggil Ferry, Moggillup to 20 h
- Mondale Park, Jindaleetoilet · up to 20 h
- Norman Buchan Park, Paddingtontoilet · up to 20 h
- Nudgee Road Exitup to 20 h
- Rafting Ground Reserve, Brookfieldtoilet · up to 20 h
- Sedgley Park, Newmarkettoilet · up to 20 h
- Toohey Forest Park, Nathantoilet · up to 20 h
Where this comes from
- “it's illegal to camp overnight in a vehicle on a road in Brisbane” — Camping on a road, Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.
- “in designated signed areas; to manage fatigue; for personal safety; in emergencies; in tourism facilities like caravan parks and camping grounds” — Camping on a road, Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.