As grey nomads start to think about heading north for the Dry Season, they will have to get used to the dawn of a new era in Northern Territory National parks.
As of Monday, all interstate visitors will need to purchase a Parks Pass to visit most NT parks and reserves.
While fees were already in place at federally-managed NT parks such as Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, this is apparently the first time visitors will be asked to pay for access to Territory government parks.
The NT News reports that a family will need to spend $150 for a year’s pass, $75 for two weeks, and $25 for a day’s access to tourist favourites like Litchfield, Nitmiluk National Park and Watarrka National Park.
Interstate visitors will now have to pay a fee to enter some of the NT's most iconic national parks. PIC: MemoryCatcher / Pixabay
For single adults, a day pass is $10, two weeks is $30, and 12 months is $60.
Territorians are exempt from needing a Parks Pass if they can provide proof of residency.
Parks and Wildlife told the NT News the move is a ‘game changer’ for parks management that will help protect, modernise and improve the Territory’s natural wonders by providing important information to visitors. It will also generate new revenue for their care, management and development.
“Revenue from the passes and camping and walking fees will all be invested back into the protection, maintenance and safety of our parks, and the creation of new visitor experiences,” executive director, Sally Egan, told the NT News. “It’s a game changer for the management of our parks and reserves … improving the revenue that we get from our parks is an investment in the future of your parks and reserves.”
It is being reported that the department will focus on education and awareness in the early days, although it says penalties could be applied. The NT News says the new system will also largely rely on an honesty system alongside spot checks from rangers.
The NT Government manages 85 parks, reserves and protected areas across the Northern Territory, with 33 of them formally jointly managed with Traditional Owners.
The full list of where entry fees will now be charged can be found here.
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Well for me it will mean I just won’t bother visiting Parks in the NT. This country belongs to us all, whether we have been here for 500 years, 50 years, or 6 months…to have to pay to see what are naturally occurring landscape features is a step too far imo…
Your comment is a big thumbs down from me . A natural attraction that has had additions that make our visits more pleasurable. These additions of decent access roads, toilets, benches and tables, accessible walkways, information bays, access to rangers, etc. cost money. ‘User pays’ will be applied more and more in the future due to the ongoing pressures on state and local government budgets. Give tax payers and rate payers a break – they should not be expected to subsidise our travels.
Gil, Gil,Gil,Gil,Gil. You said it yourself, user pays. Not some users. All users. Try doing things in your own State without paying. I don’t recall any where I’ve been in my home State where I’m special and don’t have to pay.
Yeah, sure beaches will be next I understand gold coin donation but $25 per day???. When they shut down Uluru local people are screaming for work and fat cats are laughing at everybody
Just like everything else. Boycott them for the entire season and watch the stupidity get repealed. Let them continue to price themselves right out of the market. It’s amazing how the word gets around.
National Parks in WA have required a Parks Pass for years., The fees go towards the establishment and upkeep of facilities.Do you want roads and toilets in parks, rubbish bins, barbecues etc, somebody has to pay, why not the end user.
As long as it happens then. I bet you wont see any ” improvements ” in the near future.
WA for me is a double-edged sword.They have some great parks like Kalbari(amazing what they have done there) and then you have the worst roads on the planet going to Olgas and steep point. Like I am paying 100+ dollars to see your park(yearly fee), how hard is it for a ranger and a truck tyre to go up and down the road once a day?
Fitzgerald National Park, roads, a bit of a laugh all they do if it rains close all gravel roads, put up a notice on a fancy flashing led sign board at Hopetoun and don’t open it, now excuse is die back. Once I saw a roo with a broken leg rang the appropriate people, and they came along with a bloody pick axe handle to “Euthanise” the roo. I could have put it out of it’s misery with a single shot to the back of the head and was informed you have to advise the police and then fill in heaps of paperwork. Sorry it’s a money earner for the appropriate governments
See my comment re Standley Chasm.
Why exempt the home state when they are using the infrastructure as well. Every user should pay or none at all. For all the people out there that are quick off the mark on discrimination, what do you call this.
The money is used to preserve, enhance and repair the facilities that are needed to allow us all to visit. If you have a problem contributing to a wonder you’re visiting – maybe you are the problem. User pays, nice and simple.
As long as ALL contribute.
NT Park fees
Don’t see any concession fees. Not good for pensioners and disabled.
I thought with all the $$$$$’s lost during Covid with regard to tourism and then the flooding that has occurred throughout the country, the NT would be encouraging tourists rather than discouraging them by hitting the hip pockets even harder!! Will not be received well, we’ll have to visit other states!!
It’s tax payers that paid to buy the parks it’s tax payers who have maintained them for years and now you want to charge us for what we own as a nation
I have no problems having to pay national Park fees. I live in Tasmania and we have had to get an annual pass for a number of years now. As it helps for upkeep it is a great idea.
Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Darwin unrest is the biggest barrier to tourism. Adding fees will just make it worse
I’ll be bringing two sports teams during June/July from Vic. It’s planned that each team will spend one day visiting 2-3 parks. Will a seperate pass be required for each venue?
Can I purchase group passes?
Can I pre-purchase passes and if so through what agency/method?
As a tour operator we have been paying in most parks around Australia for years, why should it be any different in the NT, it goes back into the system so you can enjoy toilets, BBQ ect and keeps people employed. What’s the problem people?
One needs to ask who is doing the work & who is receiving the money. Bet it isn’t the same group of people doing both.
Happy to contribute to the upkeep of our most iconic parks. Yes we pay tax, but our national parks are often neglected and imagine this country without them. A small price to pay for the privilege of a visit.
We traveled through all the national parks last year 2 months in our experience our hand was never out of our pockets paying fees for this and that and when you try to drive to some of your destinations you will find that even though you have paid your fees you will not be able to get to your destination due to the passing of a elder these signs we were reading have been placed there months if not years before we arrived yet they still take the fee but do not inform you that you will not be able to get to your destinations great place just felt like being ripped off government is making grey nomads pay for their short falls
Well I won’t be going back to NT.
Why should locals be exempt, all other states require anyone enter a National park to hold a permit. If visitors have to pay locals should to, one in all in, might make some local appreciate the parks more.
Im thinking it is that they pay a yearly fee in their rates or water bills
Obviously, this is fair because NSW concession card holders gain free access to NSW parks, and possibly other states have similar schemes.
Last time I looked ALL concession card holders get free access to NSW Parks. Which is as it should be. I find that NSW is ‘kinder’ to its older folk than some other states including Qld. I have no problem with paying an annual fee for Park access. I too was surprised that no ‘concession’ discount was offered in line with most other similar situations. Just happy that we did it all way back when, including climbing the rock … I could handle the physical side in those days LOL. BTW, I start to get nervous when they start using the jargon like ‘ creation of new visitor experiences’.
I can understand that massive increases in people using national parks bring more costs, especially safe roads, facilities and rehabilitation. I can afford it, but feel for people suffering financially. It’s a shame governments waste so much money in others of their budgets but won’t invest more in our beautiful, iconic wonders and make them free for all Australian tax payers.
So let me get this straight. Interstate visitors to national parks will be charged a fee to keep national parks upgraded and pristine for the benefit of Territory residents, as they do not have to pay. Sounds like another money grab to me. This, among others, is just another reason not to go back to NT.
They wont see me pay to look at our country, we will just go someplace else
What doesn’t make sense is the fact that these are NATIONAL parks but rules and charges are applied in different states. One fee for all NATIONAL Parks would be reasonable. In the USA you can get a life time pass for a reasonable cost. Sometimes I wonder why we are so backward in going forward. $150 per year is a big ask.
Don’t mind paying, but could be less $ . Nomads are generally there for short periods. Maybe $60-$70 per yer per vehicle?
Agree Jennifer – doesn’t make sense that all states have different charges and rules. We have used the USA system over a number of years and always paid an annual fee – easy and simple.
Park entrance fees, not a problem, all States do it to some extent. Some more than others.
After paying for a luxury RV to travel with, paid for fuel & camping fees, park entance fees would be almost insignificant.
I think all residents that live in a particular State should be exempt from paying entrance fees to their own parks.
Years ago,we had a lot more places to camp,better roads/tracks and fire breaks.
Yes less bbq ,toilets etc but in todays age and technology who needs it.
As for up keep,what a load of rubbish.They have less camping grounds,better equipment and there still disgusting.
Then add the booking system with less spots to go to and people not showing up,and we have not as many people being able to going camping.
Fees only contribute to bums on seats in new land cruisers driving around doing 1/3 of what they should.
Bring back the 70s and 80s.
In 1970 the population of Australia was 13.1 million.
Today it is about double that.
The bigger Australia is, the more restricted we will become.
The natural environment will struggle.
A one off fee to visit all NT parks is not unreasonable if the fee is not too high and I think $150 is too high and the money is put into environmentally friendly facilities and not to build more barriers to keep other Australians out of the Australian bush.
Yep great idea, happens in WA and QLD. Will help with cleaning, upgrades etc
Many years ago at Standley Chasm they would roll up at precisely 11.15am to charge visitors & promptly leave at 12.15pm. Anyone who has been there knows the photographic attraction is the midday sun falling upon both walls of the Chasm. The cynic in me realised straight away it was purely a revenue raiser & not for the improvement of the habitat etc. Since that time visitors are now charged anytime it is open. Welcome to Australia for some but not all.
No one complains about Tasmania doing the same thing. You need to buy a parks pass to enter there National Parks. SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. Stop complaining about it.
The issue is over population and our Natural Resources being loved to death.
This is one of the results of population pressures. What will come next is a restriction on the numbers that can enter a park.
I don’t visit National Parks because I oppose some of their Management Practices. If the NPs stop dropping the insidious 1080 baits that cause inhumane deaths to not only the target animals, but other native animals directly or indirectly through secondary poisoning eg: eating the remains of poisoned animals, then I will consider visiting them.
No problem with a pass if everyone pays. Maybe the other states should levy an extra fee on Territorians just to make it fair.
In WA all visitors to National Parks, including WA residents and Rate payers, must pay entry fees on visiting certain parks. An annual Parks Pass can be bought. Discounted fees apply to seniors.
As for the NT proposal…I fail to accept an reasons that justify NT reasidents being exempted from paying to use our National Parks.
But then again…who cares. I dont plan to spend any time again in any parts of the Northern Territory. My experiences with finding Free camping sites or even caravan park spaces for weeks on end last year 2022, left me asking why would I go there again at such huge fuel costs and travel time. Besides many places in the NT are similar, if not worse than WA’s Northern towns, with high crime rates. Stay away please.
So they found another tax have they? Anybody who thinks this will go back into the parks is kidding themselves, ask NSW residents where the 3c petrol tax goes, not into roads. It’s called consolidated revenue and is a slush fund for departmental managers who don’t know how to control a budget.
Park Pass fees for the NT are as stated
Day pass A $10.00 C $5.00 F $25.00
2 week pass A $30.00 C $15.00 F $75.00
Open pass – valid for 12 months A $60.00 C $30.00 F $150.00