With Easter just around the corner, online booking systems for national park campsites around the country are about to be put under another stress test. It is no secret that many of these have had significant ‘teething troubles’, and are certainly not universally loved by grey nomads.
One of the most infuriating aspects for many is the problem of so-called ‘ghost camping’, that is where people book a spot at a popular campsite and simply don’t turn up.
Some travellers report arriving at supposedly booked-out campgrounds and finding them virtually empty.
This, in turn, has led to a secondary problem of people turning up at campgrounds without booking under the assumption that many booked sites will actually be vacant.
Easter can be a busy time, but not all booked sites are always occupied. PIC: Cizza
But camping without a permit can be a risky business. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) says the Stanthorpe Magistrates Court has just fined a man $200, and ordered him to pay $1500 in legal costs, after he refused to obtain a camping permit.
Park rangers said the man had slept in his vehicle overnight in Girraween National Park, and had been unable to produce a camping permit. At the time, rangers issued him with a PIN for camping without a permit.
However, QPWS says the man then refused to pay the PIN and elected to have the matter heard in court, believing his stay in the national park did not constitute camping.
“QPWS welcomes the finding of the Magistrate, which serves as a timely reminder on the importance of securing a permit prior to arrival and that regardless of your method of camping … whether you are using a tent, vehicle, rooftop sleeper, caravan, swag or other structure … a camping permit is still required,” said QPWS Senior Ranger Compliance Officer, Luke Male. “A camping permit can be obtained for $7.25 per person per night, however this man’s efforts to avoid purchasing a permit has cost him a lot more.”
He said Easter was a popular time for camping, and it was important people did the right thing.
“The permit system is important so people are assured a camping space and have a good experience without being subject to overcrowding or disappointment in missing out,” Mr Male said. “Obtaining a camping permit well before you intend to camp is just as important as packing your tent, camping chairs, firewood and groceries.”
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Booking is essential to order in life, no different to the multiple other rules of life we have to abide by to maintain some form of order.
The permit system is not working needs a over haul go back to when you got a permit for the whole park and found the best spot when you arrived
As now all sites are numbered a lot remain empty as people don’t turn up
I know people who book a few sites out 12 months in advance just so they get the same sites every year but don’t turn up should be a penalty for most camping
I’d rather stay in a remote bush camp or somewhere other than a National Park..!!
especially during the holiday period.
Pay as you enter , who knows if your going to get held up,from BRAKE downs or some other reason !!
Can’t predict the weather, that will prevent GHOST bookings , better to have received the payments, than not receive at all !! The pendulum swings !!