A significant transformation is on the horizon for campers across New South Wales, with sweeping changes proposed for how camping in national parks is managed. The proposed reform focuses on revamping the booking system and introducing a new fee structure that could result in higher costs for campers. According to the NPWS, these changes are intended to modernize campground management and better align with rising operational costs and public expectations.
Under the proposal, camping sites across NSW national parks will be organized into a six-tier hierarchy based on amenities offered. This tiered system would determine the price paid per night, with fees indexed to the consumer price index (CPI), resulting in annual increases.
Tier 1: Basic clearings with no facilities will remain free.
Tiers 2 to 5: Representing 85% of all campsites, fees will range from $22 to $65 per night, depending on location and facilities such as water access and flushable toilets.
Tier 6: Premium sites with hot showers and BBQ areas will cost up to $89 per night.
Critics argue that this approach could strip away one of the last affordable holiday options available to families and solo travellers.
The overhaul has sparked intense debate, especially online, where many campers have voiced disappointment. A major point of concern is the introduction of fees at campsites that were previously free.
Mike Atkinson, known for his appearance on Alone Australia and for his outdoor-focused content, expressed alarm at the extent of the proposed changes. He noted, “They are introducing camping fees to an enormous percentage of campgrounds that never had them before… I feel that the executives in NSW National Parks are running it like a business, and it’s not, it’s a public service.”
According to Atkinson, the proposal could mean up to 70% of previously free campgrounds would now require payment, fundamentally changing the nature of camping in NSW.
The NPWS defends the overhaul as a necessary response to several pressures:
Record investment in camping infrastructure.
Rising operational costs and changing expectations from visitors.
A need to reduce “ghost bookings,” where campsites are reserved but remain unused, denying access to genuine campers.
Ghost bookings have been a national issue, particularly in parks with online booking systems. The phenomenon was one of the reasons Victoria decided not to renew its free camping initiative starting this July.
A popular example is Thredbo Diggings Campground in Kosciuszko National Park. Atkinson warned that its current fee of $6 per night could jump to $54 under the new tier system.
Fellow camper and content creator Jay from CampingMates echoed the concern. In a video urging people to submit feedback, he recounted visiting Thredbo Diggings where 30 out of 41 campsites were booked, yet he was the only person actually there.
Critics argue that raising fees is not the only way to address ghost bookings. Suggested alternatives include automated booking reminders and better cancellation systems to encourage more responsible use of campsite reservations.
With the consultation period closing today, the NPWS assures that all public input will be taken into consideration. The aim, they say, is to introduce “more consistent and simplified state-wide camping fees and bookings for NSW national parks and reserves.”
A spokesperson emphasized: “All feedback on the proposal will be carefully considered.”
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