Sydney -- The City of Tight Squeezes

Sydney is notoriously challenging for parking any vehicle, let alone a caravan. The rules here are generally the tightest and most frequently enforced.

• The General Rule: In NSW, a registered vehicle (including a caravan) can be parked on a residential street for up to 28 days in the same spot without being moved.
• The Catch: This rule is subject to a host of other restrictions. The vehicle must not cause an obstruction, be parked in a "No Parking" or "No Stopping" zone, or be longer than 7.5 metres or heavier than 4.5 tonnes (which rules out many larger rigs).
• The Council Factor: This is the biggest issue in Sydney. Local councils are empowered to enforce their own, stricter regulations. Many councils, especially in denser areas like the Inner West, Northern Beaches, and Eastern Suburbs, have specific bylaws that can reduce parking time to as little as 24 hours or ban oversized vehicles from certain streets altogether. Residents' complaints often trigger quick action from council rangers.

Melbourne - A Mixed Bag of Regulations

Victoria’s rules offer a little more breathing room on paper, but the practical reality can be just as tricky, especially in inner-city Melbourne.

• The General Rule: Technically, there is no specific statewide time limit for parking a registered vehicle on a residential street, as long as it is legally parked and doesn't cause an obstruction.
• The Catch: The key phrase is "legally parked." The vehicle cannot be "unattended" for more than 7 days in some areas, and local councils have significant power. If a vehicle is deemed to be "abandoned" or is the subject of complaints, it can be ticketed or towed.
• The Council Factor: Melbourne councils are very active. Many have introduced local laws restricting the parking of heavy or long vehicles. In built-up areas, finding a spot where a caravan doesn't breach distance-from-intersection rules or block driveways is nearly impossible.

Verdict for Melbourne: Deceptive. While the state rules seem relaxed, the power of local councils and the density of inner suburbs make long-term street parking an unreliable gamble.

Brisbane - The Sunshine State with a Cloudy Outlook

Queensland might be known for its wide-open spaces, but its capital city has clear rules designed to keep large vehicles off residential streets for extended periods.

• The General Rule: In Brisbane, if a vehicle is over 7.5 metres long or weighs more than 4.5 tonnes, it cannot be parked on a residential street for more than one hour.
• The Catch: This "one-hour rule" for large vehicles is one of the strictest in the country and applies 24/7. For smaller campervans and trailers that fall under this size, general parking rules apply, but they must not be used for camping or residency.
• The Council Factor: Brisbane City Council is known for actively enforcing this rule. They provide a clear, city-wide regulation, which means there's less variation than in Sydney or Melbourne, but the outcome is the same: long-term street parking for most caravans and motorhomes is not an option.

Verdict for Brisbane: Clear but restrictive. Brisbane's rules are straightforward, and they clearly prohibit leaving a large rig on the street for any significant length of time.

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Stress Free Solution

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