Rising Camp Fees

They say there’s only two things certain in life … death and taxes. But we might have to add a third to that list … that camping fees will continue to go upwards at an outrageous pace.

Caravan and camping in this country has never been so popular … thanks in large part to the growing numbers of grey nomads. Against that background and with human nature being what it is, it is inevitable that camping  fees will rise … and it has to be said that as a rule the facilities offered at caravan parks and national parks (whether you want them or not) have improved. But what is a fair rise and what is just a complete rip-off?

Col Henry is just one of a number of correspondents who has complained to us about the unjustifiable hike in fees at the National Parks and Wildlife Service operated campsite at Arakoon on the NSW north coast near Kempsey. “How can I complain about the appalling cost of staying in the campsites near the old gaol,” he says. “The price has gone from $20 per night for two people off season, to $24 per night per person – that’s $48 per night, and they change the shower block key number at 10am … how bad is that? It encourages us to cheat on the system and camp on the road.”

It certainly does. Apparently, what has happened at Arakoon is part of the wider rise in all NPWS campsite fees that came into effect last November … level one sites, which is effectively bush camping with little or no facilities, will remain free … level two sites have gone from $3 to $5 per person per night … level three sites from $5 to $10 per person …and the super dooper level four sites from $8 to $14 per person per night.

That sounds bad enough to me but what has also happened at Arakoon is that they have also abolished the off-peak pricing season bringing about the ridiculous price hikes that Col mentioned. Apparently, as one of the most loved camping grounds in the state, Arakoon is designated as a ‘special site’, which I guess effectively means the NPWS will charge whatever they feel like.

Jenny Stokes, a Public Affairs Officer, with the NPWS, explains it this way.
“Arakoon is a beautiful site, our most popular site and we have just brought into line with standard parks pricing policy,” she says. “When compared to local caravan parks it is still very reasonable. We didn’t want to undercut the parks because we are in the business of supporting our local community and looking after it.”

I must say it is very thoughtful of the NPWS to be so considerate to the local caravan parks and other businesses in the Southwest Rocks area … it’s a shame they can’t be just as considerate to the poor saps who have been camping at places like Arakoon in both the off-season and peak season for years … and paying NPWS wages as they do so.

And as for Ms Stokes’ assertion that they are supporting the local community … it will be very interesting to see how much the local businesses thank them when word spreads around the grey grapevine just how much the NPWS considers a fair and reasonable camp fee rise … and people start steering clear altogether.

The NPWS is eager to point out that the last camping fees rises were in 2004 and, before that in 1999. So does that justify hikes of more than 100% in places like Arakoon? Is the view twice as good as it was last year? 

But all is not lost. Ms Stokes says that in light of public reaction … the new all-year round peak season fee of  $24 per person, or $48 for a two-person site, may (and she emphasises the word ‘may’) be reviewed for winter 2008. Forgive my cynicism but it sounds to me suspiciously like the NPWS is waiting to see just how many of us are daft enough to pay the new charges before they make up their minds about whether they can get away with it.

And how long does it take to reverse disgraceful decision, anyway? If they ever do review this travesty, no doubt, there’ll be letters sent, data analysed, high-level meetings organised, discussions held about how to save face, how to shift blame for a ‘bureaucratic oversight’. It’ll cost a small fortune … but guess where all of the money for this charade will be coming from? So come on NPWS … Why the delay? Why the pontificating? … there must be someone there brave enough to call a stuff-up a stuff-up and fix the problem … TODAY!

Readers Write:

My wife and I use Bents Basin near Warragamba to camp. On our recent visit we were charged $35.00 for one night's camping for a non-powered site, an 80% increase on our last visit. I don't know how they can justify these increases.
-Barry

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