When you are setup away from urban civilization, there is not much that can truly beat the ability of being able to power all of your camping accessories without hesitation or self-restriction no matter what the weather is doing. And with a 4 stroke camping generator you are afforded the freedom to unplug from the grid. But are you truly free to use your generator anywhere you camp? If you are in a national park or a camping ground it pays to know the rules about when and where you can operate your generator to avoid being kicked out or told off by other campers.

No matter how quiet your generator runs, some authorities may automatically deem your generator to be too noisy and unreasonably restrict its usage. So we are going to go over some general rules and state national park regulations for operating your 240v camping generator at your campsite, if everyone follows the rules, the people in charge of legislation will make sure we all can continue to use and enjoy these facilities without being hassled for years to come.
Your first pointer for setting up your generator at camp, no matter where you are, is to make sure that you consider other campers in the area. If you can imagine, setting up your campsite in a peaceful location not too far from another camper and going for a short walk to check out the scenery, and returning to find a roaring 4 stroke motor cranking away near the head of your swag, tensions may rise.

To help find a perfect spot, make sure you find a location that is well away from other campers (including those who haven’t arrived yet) and not in the middle of a vacant campsite or 35m from your site and 2 m from someone elses.

Once you have set up, you should make sure that others don’t have an issue with the location you have chosen, and that any extension cables you are using are not blocking roadways or pathways, as people may drive over them or trip on them in the dark, causing a power outage at your camp, and if damage occurs to your cable even an electrocution risk.

New South Wales

According to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) people are permitted to operate generators in most campsites, if campers abide by a handful of rules to prevent antisocial behavior:

• Only 1 generator is permitted per group
• Don’t operate generators within fire bans
• Some campsites operate with noise curfews, ensure you abide by these
• Make sure you are always present whenever the generator is operating

As always more info can be found on their website or by talking to the National park’s ranger at your chosen campsite.

Western Australia

In W.A. the rules are a little stricter than in NSW, and generators are only permitted at certain campsites, at certain times of day usually 8am and 9pm but may vary depending on the location.

In some locations they may not be used at any time and a small number of larger sized campgrounds have separate generator and ‘quiet’ (no generator) areas.

Otherwise the rules of operation are very similar to those of NSW and are based around respect for other campers should always be observed:

• Choose a location closer to you than to other campers
• Ensure cables and extension cords do not cross areas used by other visitors
• Keep running time to a minimum
• Keep a clear space (at least 3m) around the generator
• Never leave a running generator unattended

As always more info can be found on their website or by talking to the National parks ranger at your chosen campsite.

Queensland

In QLD, the rules reflect those of WA and NSW but have a few restrictions not found in other states.

Only generators, up to 2.0 KVA, with a noise level output of 65 dB at 7 m or less are appropriate in QLD camp sites, unless it has been otherwise specified. If you own an Adventure Kings 2KVA Generator you can still operate yours thanks to the nearly silent 60dB noise output.

To reduce the risk of starting a wildfire from your generator, please:

• Position the generator in an area clear of fuels, dry grass or other combustible objects
• Ensure extension cords do not cross access tracks and are rated for external use
• Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe operation of your generator
• Ensure you are present whenever the generator is operating
• Never use the generator on days of local fire ban.

As always more info can be found on their website or by talking to the National park’s ranger at your chosen campsite.

Northern Territory

Usage of generators in Northern Territory national parks varies from location to location, so it is best to contact the local office to make sure you can use your generator at the sites you are going to be staying at.

South Australia
General information about using generators in National parks in South Australia is difficult to find if you need to use a generator with your setup, it is best to directly contact the park you plan on visiting to get confirmation.

Victoria
There are many popular National parks where Generators are not permitted however the rules vary depending on the park more information can be found specifically about the park you plan on visiting on the Parks Victoria Website or by calling their number.

Tasmania

In Tasmania the rules do vary and camping with a generator isn’t always accepted so call ahead and make sure your setup it is best to directly contact the park you plan on visiting.
 

As we’ve outlined above the rule general rules of thumb for most campsites, it is that you should double check with the local authorities before using your generator to ensure that your campsite doesn’t breach the rules set out by the governing bodies.

But wherever you happen to setup, it’s a good idea to exercise respect and common courtesy with other campers to prevent issues from arising due to generator usage, and we should all be able to get along for many years to come!