The free camping issue ignited debate on the Port News website with opinion divided in response to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's decision to go ahead with an eight-month staged trial to manage free camping at coastal reserves and car parks.

There will be research to better understand free campers' habits and their economic impact, and education about appropriate camping options.

The approach will include a trial of signs at hotspots with fines as a last resort.

Information gathered during the trial will feed into the development of a long-term strategy.

Free camping is not isolated to Port Macquarie. A spokeswoman for Coffs Harbour City Council confirmed free camping occurred within its local government area.

"We do issue warnings, we move people on and we put out infringement notices," she said. Meanwhile, Dunedin City Council in New Zealand welcomes so-called freedom campers in recognition of their contribution to the economy and manages where they can stay.

Tweed Heads and Byron Bay have a no tolerance approach with regulation and rangers used to remove the majority of free campers from hotspot areas.

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council business paper said this approach resulted in a relocation of the problem with some free campers opting for locations away from the hotspots.

Cairns Regional Council issued 64 fines in a fortnight blitz last year.

Only eight of the fines were paid and 30 were withdrawn due to a lack of an address.