FreeCamps

FG Walker, Clagiraba

Contested — state rule vs council law

The state lists this as a rest area where a 20-hour fatigue stop is permitted, while City of Gold Coast prohibits overnight vehicle stays in public places without publishing a fatigue exception. Both instruments are shown below — this site does not pick a winner where the law itself hasn't.

Shared motorist and heavy vehicle rest area at Clagiraba, in Gold Coast City. You can stop for up to 20 hours unless a sign says otherwise. It is not a camping site.

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

Part of this site is set aside for heavy vehicles. Fines can apply to non-commercial vehicles that use heavy vehicle rest areas. These exist so truck drivers can take their legislated rest breaks. Park only in the general vehicle areas.

Where it is

-27.99047, 153.23823

Open in Google Maps · OpenStreetMap · More in Gold Coast City

What's here

The council here (City of Gold Coast)

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.

Where this comes from

  • “General and recreational vehicles can stop at a rest area for up to 20 hours unless signed otherwise” — Rest areas, Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.
  • “they are not camping sites or an accommodation option” “General and recreational vehicles can stop at a rest area for up to 20 hours unless signed otherwise” — Rest areas, Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.
  • “These fines are in place to make sure truck drivers get to take their legislated rest breaks” — Rest areas, Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.
  • “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.
  • Site location and amenities: Roadside amenities — State Road Information (layer 17), Queensland Government, Department of Transport and Main Roads (QSpatial) (CC BY 4.0). Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.
  • Locality (Clagiraba): not published with the site — derived from its coordinates against Locality boundaries — Administrative Boundaries (layer 2), Queensland Government, Department of Resources (QSpatial) (CC BY 4.0). Retrieved 30 Aug 2026.