Parcel theft claims across Australia rose 59 per cent in 2024, and most of that theft happens exactly where you’d expect: the driveway, the front gate, the spot where a delivery gets left when no one’s home. A driveway camera won’t stop every theft, but the right one, aimed at the right spot, changes the odds considerably.

This guide covers what actually matters when choosing a driveway or gate camera, mainly the difference between wide coverage and fixed coverage, and how to work out which one your property needs.

Quick summary:

• Parcel theft is up sharply, and most Australian driveways still have no camera watching them
• The real decision isn’t which brand to buy, it’s PTZ (wide, moving coverage) versus fixed (single, defined point)
• Wide driveways with long approaches need different coverage to a single gate or entry point
• AI human detection matters more than raw camera count for cutting false alerts
• Measure the area before you buy, not after

Why driveways and gates are a common target

Only 38 per cent of Australians have a security camera or video doorbell installed, according to a Compare the Market survey, which means most driveways in the country are effectively unmonitored. The average stolen parcel is worth around $139, not a huge sum on its own, but it adds up fast across a street where deliveries happen daily and nobody’s watching.

It’s not just packages. An estimated 72,000 motor vehicles were stolen across Australia in 2023-24, and just over half of those were taken from a residential location, often a driveway. A camera covering that space does two jobs at once: package and vehicle.

PTZ or fixed camera: which suits your driveway

This is the actual decision that matters, more than any specific brand or model.

A PTZ camera (pan-tilt-zoom) covers a wide arc, either tracking movement automatically or panning on command through an app. NV NightVision’s G11 covers 355 degrees of horizontal pan and 75 degrees of tilt with AI auto-tracking, which means one camera can do the work that would otherwise take two or three fixed units. That makes it the right call for long driveways, wide approaches, or properties where a single mount point needs to see almost everything.

A fixed bullet camera points in one direction and stays there. The T5P allows 180 degrees of pan adjustment during installation, so you set the angle once and it holds that view permanently. For a single gate or a defined entry point, where the angle never needs to change, this is the simpler and usually cheaper option.

Neither is objectively better. It comes down to what you’re actually covering.

What to check before buying a driveway camera

A handful of features matter more than the rest once you’re buying specifically for driveway or gate use:

• Night vision range – look for at least 8 to 10 metres of infrared coverage, enough to see clearly across a typical driveway length after dark
• AI human detection – this cuts down false alerts from passing cars, wind, or animals, which matters a lot on a driveway that sits next to a street
• Weatherproof rating – driveway and gate installs are usually fully exposed, so check the camera is rated for outdoor use without a cover
• WiFi signal strength at the mount point – gates and the far end of long driveways are often further from the router than other outdoor spots, worth checking before you buy rather than after

Two cameras built for driveway and gate coverage

For wide driveways, large front yards, or properties where one camera genuinely needs to cover the whole approach, the NV G11 PTZ camera is built for exactly that. Its 355-degree pan and AI tracking mean it follows movement across the full width of a driveway rather than covering one fixed slice of it.

For a single gate or entry point, the NV T5P bullet camera is the more practical choice. Set the angle once during install and it holds reliable, permanent coverage of that one spot. Designed in Australia, it’s built to handle local outdoor conditions without the setup complexity a PTZ unit sometimes needs.

Both connect over WiFi with no technical configuration required, and current pricing is listed on each product page since promotional pricing changes from time to time.

Choosing the right coverage for your property

The decision comes down to coverage, not brand. Before buying anything, walk your driveway or gate and measure roughly how much ground needs watching. A single fixed point calls for a fixed camera. A wide approach calls for something that can pan across it.

Under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, any camera you buy in Australia carries automatic consumer guarantees regardless of the seller’s own returns policy. If you want to compare the full range side by side, NV NightVision’s outdoor security cameras has both types listed together. Whichever you choose, the goal is simple: make sure nothing happens at your gate or driveway without a record of it.

Common questions about driveway and gate cameras

What’s the difference between a PTZ and a fixed driveway camera?

A PTZ camera moves and tracks across a wide area, covering what would otherwise take two or three fixed cameras. A fixed camera points in one set direction permanently. PTZ suits wide driveways, fixed suits a single gate or entry point.

How far can a driveway camera see at night?

Look for at least 8 to 10 metres of infrared night vision, which covers most residential driveway lengths clearly. Longer driveways may need the camera mounted further along the approach rather than only at the street end.

Do I need WiFi at the gate or driveway to install a camera?

Yes, for live viewing and alerts. If the signal is weak at that distance from your router, a WiFi extender at the halfway point usually solves it. Recording to a local SD card still works even if the connection drops.

Can one camera cover a whole driveway?

Often, yes, if it’s a PTZ model with wide pan coverage. A fixed camera generally can’t, since it only sees one direction, which is why the PTZ versus fixed decision matters so much upfront.

Will passing cars on the street trigger false alerts?

Less likely with AI human detection, which is built to distinguish people from vehicles, animals, and general movement. Basic motion-only detection is far more prone to constant false alerts near a street.

Is a driveway camera enough to deter parcel theft?

It helps considerably. A visible camera changes the risk calculation for anyone considering taking a package, though pairing it with a request for deliveries to be left out of street view adds another layer.

Can I mount a driveway camera myself?

Yes, both PTZ and fixed WiFi cameras are designed for straightforward self-installation, connecting through an app rather than requiring an electrician or professional installer.

Does a gate camera need a different camera to a driveway camera?

Not necessarily a different camera, just a different type suited to the coverage needed. A gate usually needs fixed coverage of one point, while a driveway often benefits from the wider view a PTZ camera provides.