Are looking to park your car in Melbourne and maybe to even sleep in your car for free? Awesome! We help you to spare the insanely expensive parking costs in Melbourne. In exchange we hope you like us on Facebook. 🙂
Kudos to everyone who helps creating this list. If there is anything missing or needs to be updated, let us know in the comments! Find a map with all parking spots at the end.
All our posts and free camping spots in and around Melbourne.
Free Parking Spots in Melbourne
Parking areas in Melbourne are really expensive. Unless, of course, you risk a parking ticket and don’t pay it. Melbourne parking spots are not as backpacker-friendly as the parking areas in Sydney: While you will find public toilets, they are usually without showers.
Be aware that St. Kilda is about 30 minutes South of Melbourne CBD, in case you decide to rest your wheels here. This neighborhood is very popular among backpackers with a vivid nightlife and many hostels.
A call to all of us: Please make sure not to bother any residents. Don’t disturb them so other backpackers can benefit of the parking spot as well. Check the road signs for parking restrictions as well. Please let us know if something needs to be updated.
Parking area at the Palais Theatre
Many backpackers travelling by car meet at the big parking area at the Palais Theatre during the day. This is one of our favorite spots, however, it is not free to park here. Nevertheless, on one corner of the car park, many backpacker vans gather especially during day. This goes that far, that parking rangers don’t even bother about them and in our experience didn’t even fine them.
Please keep that in mind, if you decide to leave your car here. Only do so, if you are brave enough or are not planning to pay a possible fine. If you park your car here, do so in the corner (as shown in the map below) together with other backpackers.
MORE: Maps and Street view image of Palais Theatre
Docklands (Johnson Street) – close to CBD
This place is super close to the Melbourne city center. Walk 20 minutes and you reach the CBD. Johnson street is located in the Docklands, so you won’t bother any residents here. You can park your car here for free during the weekend as well as during weekdays.
You can also check out nearby streets in the Docklands to spend the nights. For example near the Library at the Dock.
MORE: Maps and Street view image of Palais Theatre
Alma Park (at Alma Road)
Alma Park is a very nice spot to park and sleep in your car in St. Kilda. Park your car near the park (in front of the gym). From here it’s only a short walk to the St. Kilda beach. In the park you can find public toilets as well.
MORE (UPDATED): Maps and Street view image of Palais Theatre
Wilson Reserve Park (Outer Cres)
Wilson Reserve Park is located South of St. Kilda in Brighton. It is a wealthier neighbourhood and you are not far from Brighton beach, which is famous for their colorful beach huts.
MORE: Maps and Street view image of Palais Theatre
St. Kilda Botanical Gardens
Please note: Our readers informed us, that this place is not recommended for overnight stays anymore! However, if you look for a free parking spot during the day, than the Botanical Gardens are just right for you. There are signs informing travelers that it is not allowed to stay overnight there.
The Botanical Gardens in St. Kilda are a great place to stay overnight in your car, if you want to spend your time in St. Kilda.
From here you are close to a number of hostels as well as showers, which you can find on the St. Kilda beach. Find a nice spot for your car around the park. In the park you also find public toilets.
MORE (updated): Maps and Street view image of Palais Theatre
Mornington Peninsula
A reader informed us about Mornington Peninsula. Travellers from another state can park there at the Dromana Beach and Marta Beach/Mills Beach. The area and the beaches are very similar to St. Kilda – even with nice beach huts.
It might be a good option for you to enjoy the Melbourne area without spending the whole time in the city or if you come to visit an event. By car it’s about 1 hour to downtown Melbourne or you can go by train.
MORE: Maps and Street view image of Palais Theatre
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We are curious! Where did you stay in Melbourne? Do you have any tips to share? The Travelgott will be grateful for your comment!
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Guys, it can be really hard to find good camping spots around the city. Especially if everyone heads to the same place.
We successfully stayed parked outside three different libraries in Northern and Southern suburbs in Melbourne though. I won’t mention them to avoid them also becoming no go areas.
The best ones have free car parks or free on-street parking spaces available just outside. Added bonus, you get free wifi from your car!
As mentioned above, search for toilets and/or free wifi on campermate/wikicamps to get you started.
We have a blog on free parking spaces in the city for day parking if that helps. https://cloudwalks.co.uk/best-free-parking-in-melbourne/ I hope you don’t mind us sharing! 🙂
Glad I read the comments, I was considering heading to Alma Park.
Edinburugh Gardens isn’t safe either, found a nasty note on my dash this afternoon and new signs up everywhere.
Does anyone know whether Wilson Park Res. is still safe?
All south Melbourne is forbidden to sleep in your car. Got woke by police today
Hello! Alma Park is not safe. Troy the council officer work Ian up at 6:15 am to kindly let us know it’s a $1000 fine but let us off with a warning. Also, Alma Park does not have bathrooms!
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
Botanical gardens is not safe anymore. Signs everywhere
Thank you for the comment!
St kilda botanical garden würde ich nicht riskieren! Bei den Verbotsschildern kann man sich auch nicht mehr raus reden.
Police woke me up this morning saying it’s a 1000$ ticket to sleep in your car in Melbourne, I was at the botanical gardens
Sorry to hear that! Did you get fined?
Munro st is free with free showers and wifi in dfo
@brad Thanks for the comment. Would you mind writing a few lines about the place, so we can include it in the post? Thanks!
Visitor Rating: 4 Stars
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars