In the face of significant grey nomad anger over the growing prevalence of ‘flawed’ online booking systems for national park camping, the various authorities responsible for them have leapt to their defence.
And, while there is an acknowledgement that there are issues, it seems the systems are here to stay … albeit with a possible tweak here or there.
Key complaints are unreliable Outback internet connections, poor campsite descriptions, less spontaneity, large numbers of booked-out but unused campsites, and incidences of interlopers ‘stealing’ sites they hadn’t booked.
And there are the cancellation policies. Nomads Darrell and Ruth Margerison said they recently got flooded out in a NSW national park, but still struggled to get a refund.
‘Where is everyone? It’s supposed to be booked out, but no one’s here!’ PIC: Cizza
“Bring back honesty boxes,” they said.
But that prospect seems unlikely.
A spokesperson for the SA Department for Environment and Water said visitor feedback motivated the drive to modernise payment systems in the first place.
“Those old cash payment stands were unfortunately often vandalised,” said the spokesperson. “This impacted on the revenue that we were able to use to conserve, manage and improve park visitor facilities.”
And they said the online system has supported record visitor numbers. Similarly, Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science said at least 85% of users had reported being satisfied with the online system.
“The current system has delivered significant benefits for park management and reduced the risk of rangers being exposed to health and safety risks, including needle stick injuries, broken glass and rotting food, when collecting camping fees from collection points,” said a spokesperson.
However, the spokesperson did say the Department was ‘currently considering functional requirements for a future online booking system’.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) also stressed that its online system was still a work in progress.
“NPWS has listened to feedback from our visitors and is aware of a ‘no show’ issue and, as a result, NPWS has made it easier for visitors no longer intending to travel to cancel their booking,” a spokesperson said. “Visitors can now change the date of their booking in the same campground and retain 100% of money paid, or get a 50% refund on a cancellation up to the day of arrival.”
Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) said that, of the more than 250 campgrounds it manages, only 67 of them could be booked through DBCA’s Park Stay WA online booking service, with the rest operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This means there are options available for people who want to book ahead and secure accommodation in advance, as well as those whose plans are more spontaneous,” said a spokesperson.
The DBCA also said it had made changes to its online booking system in July that would give campers more flexibility should their plans change. It said it anticipated these changes would help reduce the number of booked – but unused – campsites.
The NT DEPWS had not responded to Grey Nomad questions at the time of publication.
Click here to read full statements from various national park authorities.
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There should be an option for people to just turn up. Full time travellers don’t necessarily know where they will be weeks or months out so can’t make bookings. So by the time they get there it’s all booked out (but often unused as stated)
It will remain a total stuff up forever. If they are not going to bring back the envelope system, then put in an onsite computer booking system, so you can see whats available and can PAY ONSITE.
pay by card or phone at the site via an electronic system sounds great but has obstacles no internet, I live 25 ks from a suburb in a major city in a valley I have no cell coverage it plays hell with banking buying stuff etc.got rid of a bank of 30 years because of this,everyone thinks everyone has cell coverage we have a landline and call friends on their mobiles because they have ditched their landlines the costs can really mount up
SO what happens to us oldies that still cannot follow the internet systems ?? also my phone is now 16 yrs old and while it works I will not change to a smart phone ! And so my phone is unable to go on line __ it still works for me as is !
We have stayed in many national parks in Qld & NSW over the years & enjoyed it. When the new system of booking & paying on the internet arrived we were no longer able to avail ourselves of these beautiful areas. We don’t have a laptop or portable computer or a smart phone to make a booking. We hear of many complaints from those who have the modern gadgets to be able to book on line but there is no reception. Bring back the honor system and police it & the people will return without the expensive advertising programs.
The frustration of empty campsites and the online system indicating they are fully booked is real! I also cancelled on of my NSW bookings and it wasn’t an easy process, I can see how busy people wouldn’t bother cancelling and simply wouldn’t show up.
For me, it’s the amount of personal information they want to collect, along with the other frustrations mentioned by others already. We’ve been affected by corporate database hacks already.