About to sound stupid, but what is free camping? What does it entail?

I'm thinking that I would like to try and take us in each of the school holidays to *somewhere* where we can explore actual things if that makes sense. And perhaps do a few weekends to no where in particular during school term. Just to give us some time away to reconnect and relax at the same time.

I don't have a tow bar for a trailer, but I could potentially borrow a mates car who does. :thinking:

I had a look on BCF, there is so much stuff! :O What are the bare essentials that we would need? I would look at doing small trips at first and build up to longer ones. TBH we would probably do it in the back yard first and foremost lol!

Thanks heaps for your replies, this information is invaluable.