Council Caravan Parking Rules by State

If you own a caravan in Australia, there's a good chance your local council has something to say about where you park it. Street parking rules for caravans, trailers, and boats have tightened significantly in recent years, and fines are climbing. Here's what you need to know, state by state.

Why Councils Are Cracking Down

Complaints from neighbours about caravans blocking sightlines, taking up kerb space, and sitting unused for months are driving councils across the country to enforce stricter rules. Many have introduced time limits, size restrictions, or outright bans on street-parked recreational vehicles.

New South Wales

NSW councils have some of the strictest rules in the country. Under the NSW Local Government Act, councils can regulate the parking of trailers and caravans on public roads.

Northern Beaches Council is particularly active. Caravans and trailers parked on the street for more than 28 days may receive a notice to move. Fines typically sit around $200 for a first offence. The council has increased patrols in suburbs like Dee Why, Narrabeen, and Manly Vale where caravan ownership is high.

Other Sydney councils including Sutherland Shire and the Hills Shire have similar restrictions, generally limiting continuous street parking to a few weeks before enforcement action begins.

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Victoria

In Victoria, the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 allow councils to restrict parking of vehicles over a certain length. Many municipalities enforce a 24-hour or 48-hour limit on unattached trailers.

Mornington Peninsula Shire is a hotspot. With a high concentration of holiday caravan owners, the shire regularly enforces limits on street-parked caravans, particularly in coastal towns like Rosebud, Sorrento, and Dromana. Fines start at around $185 and can increase for repeat offences.

Greater Geelong and Yarra Ranges are also worth watching, with both councils tightening enforcement in residential streets.

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Queensland

Queensland councils tend to set their own local laws, and the rules vary considerably across the state.

Sunshine Coast Council has been making headlines with its crackdown on caravans, boats, and trailers parked on residential streets. Under Local Law No. 1, vehicles can be deemed abandoned or obstructing if parked beyond permitted timeframes. Fines can reach $260 or more.

Brisbane City Council allows trailers and caravans to be parked on the street but enforces time limits. Gold Coast City Council has similar provisions, with fines around $250 for non-compliance.

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South Australia

South Australian councils follow the Australian Road Rules, which limit the parking of unattached trailers on roads to a maximum of 24 hours. Attached trailers (hitched to a vehicle) generally don't face the same restriction, but councils like Adelaide Hills and Onkaparinga have their own local bylaws that may impose additional limits.

Fines in SA typically range from $120 to $300 depending on the council and the nature of the infringement.

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Western Australia

In WA, the Road Traffic Code limits unattached trailer parking to 24 hours in most areas.

City of Joondalup has been one of the more vocal councils, actively patrolling northern suburbs and issuing infringement notices for caravans parked on verges or streets beyond the allowed period. Fines start at around $100 but can escalate quickly with repeat offences.

The City of Stirling and City of Wanneroo also enforce restrictions, particularly in suburbs with narrow streets where large caravans restrict traffic flow.

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How to Avoid Council Fines

The simplest way to stay on the right side of your council's rules is to store your caravan off-street when you're not using it. Here are your main options:

1. Your own property (if you have the space and council permits it)
2. Dedicated storage yards (secure, but often have waitlists and higher prices)
3. Peer-to-peer storage through platforms like StorageFinder, where local hosts rent out spare driveways, paddocks, and sheds

Storing off-street also protects your caravan from weather damage, vandalism, and UV exposure, so it's worth considering even if your council hasn't come knocking yet.

The Bottom Line

Council rules on caravan street parking aren't going away. If anything, enforcement is getting stricter. The best approach is to check your specific council's local laws (usually available on their website) and find a reliable storage spot before you get a fine.