Backpackers are moving away from camping at Darwin beaches into suburbs to avoid on-the-spot fines

BACKPACKERS are moving away from camping at Darwin beaches and towards “dark corners and behind bushes” to avoid on-the-spot fines.

German backpacker Spencer Detje, 26, camps behind bushes in Darwin city because caravan parks and camp sites are "too expensive".

BACKPACKERS are moving away from camping illegally overnight at popular Darwin beaches and towards “dark ­corners and behind bushes” in residential areas to avoid on-the-spot fines.

Darwin council general manager of corporate services Diana Leeder said there were “increasing incidences of (illegal) city-wide dry season camping” this year. “Mindil Beach and East Point have always been popular sites but areas such as Amy Johnson Drive have also seen an increase of overnight visitors,” Ms Leeder said.

“Anyone sleeping in a public place between the hours of sunset and sunrise is in breach of the by-laws and liable for a ($149) fine.”

According to Darwin council, 173 infringements have been issued to backpackers and “similar visitors” for illegal camping in the city this year.

German backpacker Spencer Detje, 20, said he had been sleeping rough in Darwin for about three weeks because he preferred it over paying upwards of $30 a night in a hostel or the same price for a campsite outside of the city.

Mr Detje said he briefly camped overnight at Mindil Beach until he was issued a $149 fine by Darwin City Council rangers.

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Mr Detje said many backpackers were filtering into residential areas to sleep at night because of regular patrols conducted by Darwin council at popular illegal camping sites including Mindil Beach and East Point Reserve.

“They patrol the area at least three times a day so unless you leave by 4am before they get there it’s better to just go into the streets and find somewhere hidden to sleep,” he said. “They told us to sleep outside of town but that’s out of the way.

“I normally go to dark corners and behind bushes next to houses in the city ... that’s what most backpackers do in ­Darwin.”

Mr Detje said he filled a bucket with sand on the beach and took it to a shrub in a quiet street, emptying the contents over the rocky surface to soften it.

“I put a foam mattress over that,” he said.

“I like sleeping outside ... it saves me about $300 a week.

“I broke my foot skateboarding so I can’t work to pay for accommodation and I leave Darwin on Sunday.”