It’s your precious baby. It’s your friend who's always up for a weekend on the water. It’s the perfect companion for finding new fishing spots, or when you want to relax in style. To you, your boat is everything… to your neighbours, it's an eyesore.
It’s the question that has filled Australia’s Facebook community groups with heated discussions for years. But it’s one that very few people know the true answer to.
Can you park your boat on the street?
Frustratingly, the answer depends on where you live. It is completely dependent on the rules imposed by your local council, or the size of your boat or trailer. In some states, councils may impose a blanket rule requiring boats to be moved every 28 days, while other states may have weight or length limits, or councils that simply choose to deny all permit requests for boat parking.
To put all the information you need to know in one place, we’ve prepared this guide. Keep reading to learn the rules for parking a boat on the street in every Australian state and territory.
Can you park a boat on the street in New South Wales?
In New South Wales, the answer is yes. However, a restriction of 28 days is imposed. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure it isn’t obstructing any traffic or creating a safety issue. Outlined by the NSW Government via the Public Space Act, councils can ask the owner of a safely-parked registered boat/trailer to move it if it has been left unattended in a location for more than 28 days. If the trailer is unregistered, it can be moved after 15 days, and if it is creating an obstruction it can be moved by the authorities immediately.
Boat parking regulations in Victoria?
Victoria has some minor requirements for parking a boat on the street. These requirements include the boat trailer being registered, measuring under 7.5 metres in length, and weighing less than 4.5 tonnes. If your boat and trailer combination meets these requirements, you can park it on the street indefinitely (provided there are no parking restrictions and it is parked legally). If your boat and trailer combination measures over this size and weight threshold, it should not be parked on the street for more than an hour.
Can you park a boat on the street in Queensland?
Similar to other states, local governments in Queensland can set their own rules for boat parking in their town. However, overall there are no specific rules against parking a boat on a trailer in Queensland. The main thing to note is that if you have a boat and trailer combination exceeding 7.5 metres in length, or heavier than 4.5 tonnes - it is not permitted to be parked in a built-up area for more than one hour. The only exception is if someone is loading or unloading from or to the boat.
What are the boat parking rules in Western Australia?
Most councils in WA are fairly strict on parking a boat trailer on the street for an extended period of time. This rule differs between each local council with some councils, like the City of Nedlands and City of Fremantle, requiring your boat and trailer to be hitched to a vehicle while parked and moved every 24 hours. For WA, it’s important to read your specific local council rules and talk to the city to determine the exact rules surrounding parking your boat on the street.
Can you park a boat on the street in South Australia?
Similarly to WA, South Australia’s individual local councils are responsible for issuing residential parking permits and don’t typically permit parking of boats in residential areas. If you have a heavy or long vehicle, the rules state you must not obstruct other road users or pedestrians or park on a road in a built-up area for more than one hour unless it is otherwise signposted.
What about boat parking in Tasmania?
In Tasmania, the rules surrounding parking a boat on the street are very straightforward. If your boat and trailer combination is less than 7.5 metres in length, you can park it on the street indefinitely. However, if your boat and trailer combination exceeds 7.5 metres, it can only be parked on the street for one hour. In both circumstances it is important to note that the trailer must have the right reflective equipment, be parked legally, and not obstruct traffic.
What are the Boat Parking Rules in the Northern Territory?
In the Northern Territory, boat parking rules are set by local councils and vary depending on your location. Across the NT, the boat and trailer parking rules are adapted from the Australian Road Rules. Simply put, boat trailers must not be parked in a way that obstructs traffic, creates safety issues, or violates parking restrictions. Some councils have specific time limits on how long a boat trailer can be parked for, so it’s important to check your local council’s website for specific information applicable to your area.
What are the boat parking rules in the ACT?
In the Australian Capital Territory, if a boat is registered, roadworthy and complies with the parking laws in the area, it can park on the street for an indefinite period of time. However, for boat and trailer combinations over 7.5 metres in length, a time limit of one hour applies.
Closing remarks
Whether you’ve come here as an owner of a treasured vessel, or a neighbour wanting to know how to get parking spaces back on your street - the rules for parking boats in Australia vary by location. Each council sets its own regulations, which may include time limits, size restrictions, or permit requirements. Always check with your local council for the rules specific to your area.
Looking to purchase a boat? Jade offers a range of tailored loan options for purchasing a range of recreational vessels!
Accredited with 80+ banks and lenders, our expert brokers are well-known in the lending market for providing loan solutions tailored to individual needs for both personal and business purposes. Committed to finding you the cheapest interest rate and best terms available, Jade Boat Loans offers a wide range of loan products including boat and marine financing. If you’re in the market for a new boat, get in touch to discuss our loan products including secured boat loans, unsecured personal loans, and commercial marine finance.
At Jade Boat Loans, we leverage our extensive experience and extensive network of lenders to secure the best loan for your marine purchase. For more information or to start your application, call us on 1300 000 003 or Request a Quote.