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Driving a Campervan in Australia — Complete Rules Guide

Updated June 2026 · Jamie Wilson, RV Travel Editor

Australia drives on the left side of the road, same as the UK and New Zealand. Speed limits are strictly enforced with speed cameras throughout all states.

Licence requirements

A valid overseas driving licence is accepted for the duration of your visa
If your licence is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit alongside it
Standard car licence covers campervans under 4.5 tonnes (all standard rentals)

Speed limits by state

State	Freeway	Urban	Rural highway
NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS	110km/h	50km/h	100km/h
NT (Northern Territory)	130km/h	60km/h	130km/h (open road)

Freedom camping rules by state

State	Freedom camping legality	Self-contained required?
Queensland	Permitted on many state roads (check Wikicamps AU app)	Often yes
Northern Territory	Very permissive — most rest stops allow overnight	No
Western Australia	Permitted at road rest areas (state roads)	No for most spots
New South Wales	Limited — most LGAs require a paid site	Yes
Victoria	Very limited in metro areas; more freedom in alpine regions	Yes
South Australia	Permitted at many roadside stops	Often yes

Outback driving tips

Carry at least 20 litres of extra water per person when driving more than 200km from a town
Most rental agreements prohibit driving on unsealed/dirt roads — check before heading off-piste
Kangaroos are most active at dawn and dusk — avoid driving these times on rural roads where possible
Fill up fuel whenever you see a petrol station outback — next one could be 300km away