I was able to stay in Nimbin at the Showgrounds for two nights while at the Nimbin Roots Festival with a plan to head to another showground that was closer to Brisbane. Crossing another way over the Border From QLD to NSW yet sometimes plans need to be flexible.
When I got to the Canungra Showgrounds I was soon turned away, and told to head to the Goldcoast asap to get out of the area.
They were in a shutdown mode with the fires in the area. So even though I had driven for hours, and all I wanted was a hot shower, my steak and squeaky cheese and sleep, I had to keep on driving.
Driving Onto The Goldcoast
So I rang Dave and let him know that I was heading to the Goldcoast as I knew the area, knew where I could find a BBQ for dinner and I tried to find some where to camp but cause it was so late at night nothing was showing up as being able to be booked.
I headed to a Boat Ramp Park, where there was a BBQ that was lit up so I felt so safe cooking my dinner by myself.
That took care of the most basic needs, food. What about a shower? Yeah well I wasn’t going to get one that night. I did have a very cold one the next morning which I was so very grateful for. I found a Lifesavers Club that had toilets/showers and attached was a Café where I was able to warm up with a coffee. Best tasting Coffee ever after having the shower!
This is where I cooked my dinner the night before – and returned the next day to wash the dishes that I had used 😉
Next to find a spot to sleep without being in the way of others, without breaking any rules/laws of the Goldcoast area of where you are not meant to stay.
How To Stay Safe In A Campervan While Freecamping On The GoldCoast
I don’t usually go anywhere by myself, and I was brave with a girls trip away Traveling Solo In A Spaceship.
I don’t normally have to think about my own Safety. Normally I am with family and we all stay safe together. But this was a weekend away without anyone around me, and I knew that I didn’t have our dogs for protection, and that I had to be able to sleep safely.
These are the tips/hints that I took to make sure that I was able to travel and stop safely while in the Goldcoast, I would have used these safety tips anywhere that I pulled up for the night.
Solo Traveling Female Tips For Safety
- Keep your phone on you at all times
- Stay where there are other people around, and where there is lights on
- Never keep your back to the public when getting in and out of the campervan – always be aware of who is around you
- Carry the Campervan Car Keys with you so if need be you can jump into the drivers seat and drive away safely.
- Let others know where you are with the exact location and what your plans are
- Walk where there are lights on – to the toilets or to where you are needing to go to – stay where its well shown with lights.
- Find a place where you feel its comfortable to stay for the night.
- Lock all the doors when you are ready to bed down for the night.
- Make sure the curtains are fully closed so no-one can see into the Campervan to work out that you are a solo traveler.
- Sleep with your clothes on, campervan keys right next to you, phone within hands reach, and shoes stored ready in case you need to leave.
- Free camp in a spot that wont affect anyone else – I found a street that had construction buildings on both sides of the street so that I wasn’t in anyone’s way.
- Leave early the next morning so that You are not asked to move on – unless it is a free camping spot.
- Don’t post online where you are until you have left the area so that your location is not broadcasted to the whole world.
There are many ways to stay safe while traveling Solo. Having our dogs with us always makes me feel super safe. But considering it was a weekend without anyone but me, I made sure that I kept safe while traveling, stopping and exploring.
I didn’t even have any safety concerns in Nimbin – it was the a town where I did feel so very safe the whole time, and where I could walk the streets without any concerns.
Want to read more about How To Stay Safe When Traveling Solo Around The Globe? << read the amazing hints and tips by Wordation.
Are You A Solo Traveler?
Do You travel by yourself or with family/friends or in a group? Would love to hear how you travel Australia or even Travel the World.
What are some of the ways you stay safe when traveling?
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road