Gold Coast: sleeping in your car

Vehicle camping: prohibited

On the Gold Coast it is illegal to camp overnight in a public place, and the City states this includes sleeping, or staying overnight in, a vehicle in a public place.

The City of Gold Coast regulates camping under Local Law No. 16 (Licensing) 2008 and Subordinate Local Law No. 16.6 (Camping Areas) 2008 — covering temporary or semi-permanent accommodation including occupying or sleeping in a tent, caravan or vehicle — and states it is illegal to camp on Gold Coast beaches, roads and parks, with officers patrolling public areas seven days a week.

The City states no exceptions in its published guidance beyond licensed camping facilities. State rest areas within the LGA are on the state-controlled road network; the state 20-hour fatigue rule applies there, but anywhere else in a public place the council prohibition applies.

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 (23)

• Alex Griffith Park, Currumbintoilet · up to 20 h
• Annette Kellerman Park, Mermaid Beachtoilet · up to 20 h
• Apple Tree Park, Springbrooktoilet · up to 20 h
• Arthur Freeman Lookout, Currumbin Valleyup to 20 h
• Bachow Park, Natural Bridgetoilet · up to 20 h
• Brien Harris Oval, Ormeauup to 20 h
• Burleigh Head National Park, Burleigh Headsshower · toilet · up to 20 h
• Cascade Gardens, Broadbeachtoilet · up to 20 h
• Community Park, Pimpamaup to 20 h
• Eimberts Family Park, Nerangup to 20 h
• FG Walker, Clagirabaup to 20 h
• Freeman Organic Farm Lookout, Currumbin Valleyup to 20 h
• Jebbribillum Bora Ring, Burleigh Headsup to 20 h
• John Laws Park / Burleigh Heads Lookoutshower · toilet · up to 20 h
• Les Rogers Memorial Sanctuary, Surfers Paradiseshower · toilet · up to 20 h
• Little Nerang Creek/ Springbrook National Park, Numinbah Valleytoilet · up to 20 h
• Palm Beach Parklandsshower · toilet · up to 20 h
• Pt Danger Lookout, Coolangattatoilet · up to 20 h
• Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangattatoilet · up to 20 h
• Robert Neumann Park, Currumbin Valleytoilet · up to 20 h
• Springbrook National Park, Forest Part Picnic Area, Numinbah Valleyup to 20 h
• Tallebudgera Creek Park/ Palm Beachshower · toilet · up to 20 h
• Vince Hide Park, Nerangup to 20 h

Where this comes from

• “No; it is illegal to camp overnight in a public place, which includes sleeping, or staying overnight in, a vehicle in a public place.” — Your guide to safe and legal parking on the Gold Coast (May 2023), p. 61, City of Gold Coast. Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.
• “It is illegal to camp on Gold Coast beaches, roads and parks.” — Camping area licence, City of Gold Coast. Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.