As part of its pre-budget initiatives, the New South Wales government has unveiled a new measure aimed at easing recent tensions over camping fee hikes. Premier Chris Minns announced that all Commonwealth veteran cardholders will soon be eligible for free vehicle access to the state’s national parks. This comes just weeks after a proposed fee increase for camping in these areas stirred public backlash.
Joined by Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and Veterans Minister David Harris, Minns outlined that this new initiative, included in the 2025-26 state budget, would allow more veterans from across Australia to apply for a pass covering vehicle entry to 45 national parks across NSW where such fees apply. Previously, only some holders of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Card qualified for the free pass. Under the new plan, eligibility will extend to holders of White and Orange Cards as well.
Minns emphasized the broader benefits of the decision, citing the therapeutic value of time spent in nature and framing the policy as a gesture of appreciation toward those who have served. “Our veterans have given so much to Australia. This is about giving something small but meaningful back,” he said. “Access to nature can have a powerful impact on wellbeing, and we’re proud to reward more veterans with free vehicle entry to enjoy these incredible places.”
The announcement appears to be a strategic response to criticism sparked by the government’s earlier camping fee proposals. The state opposition had aligned with public dissent, throwing its support behind an ePetition to parliament. Shadow Tourism Minister Kevin Anderson accused the Minns government of putting “previously free public assets behind a paywall in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.”
The inclusion of all DVA cardholders in the free pass scheme could also ignite discussions on a national scale. While NSW is extending free access to veterans, other states and federally managed parks — including iconic sites such as Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa and Kakadu — do not currently offer similar exemptions. This discrepancy could prompt calls for broader reform.
Currently, vehicle entry fees are charged at only 5% of NSW parks and reserves, with daily rates ranging from $4 to $12. The most expensive is Kosciuszko National Park during the winter, where the charge reaches $29 per day. Tourist-heavy locations like Sydney’s Middle Head charge up to $4 per hour for parking — a notable expense, though still lower than inner-city parking rates of up to $8.20 per hour.
According to the DVA, there are about 291,000 cardholders nationwide — including approximately 103,000 Gold Cards and 188,000 White Cards. Nearly 90,000 of these veterans and their family members reside in NSW. While the financial impact of waiving the fees for this group was not disclosed at the time of the announcement, the cost is expected to be detailed in the upcoming budget release.
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