For grey nomads who have not yet been able to find a place to call home for a few weeks or months while the current health crisis plays out, the options are continuing to narrow.
While many caravan parks are remaining open to people who have basically nowhere else to go, campsites in national parks and state forests are closing quickly.
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has announced it will temporarily close all campgrounds, high visitation areas and historic sites until further notice, in response to tighter health directives on social distancing and non-essential travel.
All roads through national parks remain open.
Most walking tracks and trails will also remain open and visitors should observe necessary social distancing with others while using pathways and other facilities to maximise their safety.
The Queensland Government has also announced the closure of all campgrounds in national parks, state forests and state managed recreation and protected areas.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said this decision was consistent with the expert medical advice of the state’s Chief Health Officer.
“Closure of the campgrounds will help protect the health and safety of campers, the wider community as well as Queensland Park and Wildlife Service rangers and staff,” Ms Enoch said.
Day-use areas, tracks and trails will remain open at this stage and social distancing rules will apply.
Ms Enoch said residential caravan parks such as at Cape Hillsborough, Cape Palmerston and Homevale National Parks were excluded from the closures.
Parks Victoria has announced all accommodation in its parks is shut until further notice, under direction by the state’s chief health officer.
“Closing all designated campgrounds across Victoria for all overnight camping and accommodation will help protect the health and safety of visitors and staff,” Parks Victoria chief executive Matthew Jackson said.
People camping before the announcement was made have been asked to leave immediately, as rangers patrol the parks and reserves.
Other areas within parks will remain open, allowing people to exercise
In Tasmania, the Parks and Wildlife Service has closed all national parks and reserves to public recreational use from midnight.
Roger Jaensch, Minister for Environment and Parks, said the closure of parks and reserves is in line with Tasmanian and Federal government measures to discourage the community from undertaking unnecessary travel during this time.
“The move follows the closure of campgrounds and other visitor accommodation on Wednesday, because they do not meet the Australian Health Department’s social distancing and coronavirus preventative measures,” he said. “These moves are also aimed to prevent unnecessary travel and social gathering.”
The sites will remain closed until such time they are safe to reopen.
In the Northern Territory, the Parks and Wildlife Commission has closed Territory campgrounds, multi-day walks and high-use day areas that encourage groups to gather.
Some national parks will be entirely closed to protect nearby remote communities.
In South Australia, national parks currently remain open to visitors and campers, but grey nomads are urged to continually monitor the situation as it could change at any time.
In the ACT, campgrounds in the Namadgi National Park are closed.
Parks Australia has announced the closure of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Booderee, Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks to visitors and other non-essential travellers for a minimum of two weeks.
“Our national parks and botanic gardens are treasured places for both locals and visitors alike, however the health and wellbeing of visitors, staff, and local communities is our utmost priority,” said Director of National Parks, Dr James Findlay. “Longer term options for these sites will be assessed over the next fortnight as we continue to monitor the advice of medical authorities and the government.”
In Western Australia, online campground bookings for Parks and Wildlife Service sites are suspended until further notice. People already in campgrounds must make arrangements to return home as soon as possible. However, there are exemptions for people with no fixed address, backpackers or travellers from overseas or interstate who are unable to return home or cannot find alternative accommodation. Campers remaining in situ are asked to consider that this is an evolving situation and travel restrictions may be further tightened. You should assess your ability to be self-sustaining for an extended period of time.
