The longstanding tradition of allowing regular campers to re-book the same campsite on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula the following year looks set to be phased out.
The Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve management committee is abolishing the re-booking of camp sites from next year – which means dozens of families will lose their long-term access to the same site.
The Mornington Peninsula News reports that around 125 sites come under the re-booking banner, whereby existing holiday campers are given preference when booking sites for the next year.
Campsite managers from Rye to Blairgowrie are reportedly bracing for a backlash following the banning of re-booking options that give exclusive camping rights to ongoing users.
They have also been able to access special off peak packages, paying about $14 a night – a 66% discount on regular rates.
Some families having a 40-year history of holidaying every summer at Rye foreshore, and a backlash is expected.
The Whitecliffs to Camerons Bight foreshore arguably has some of the best foreshore camping and beach views on the southern peninsula. Facilities include hot showers, toilets, laundries and direct access to the beach.
Foreshore manager Max Patton told the Mornington Peninsula News that the committee had made the decision to increase equity and fairness in camping, with the Crown land reserve ‘owned by all Victorians’.
He said the new booking system was in line with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s “best practice” guidelines.
“We are expecting a backlash from regular campers, but the re-booking system is not sustainable and comes from a time when they couldn’t fill the sites and needed to encourage campers to come back,” he said.
While some foreshore camp sites on the peninsula, including Dromana, still allow a re-booking system, it is believed all public sites on the peninsula will eventually change to a first-come-first-served basis due to high demand.
Mornington Peninsula mayor, Anthony Marsh, told the Herald-Sun the shire was not planning on introducing similar changes for the foreshore campsites it manages in Sorrento, Rye and Rosebud.
“It’s not being investigated at the moment, but the changes at Whitecliffs and Camerons Bight could act as a trial … I’m sure the council will be watching.”
Sounds fair to me
Brilliant plan making it fair for everyone.
Everyone should have equal opportunity to campsites
Great idea, should’ve been in practice 40 years ago to stop these people hogging the spots in the first place.
I suppose your one of the grey nomads that now go to places like palm Cove .a very small park and re book the the same time every yr. Stopping every one else at having a holiday. Get ur head out of the sand.it happens at every caravan park. Its only people that camp on the foreshore could only afford to travel those short distances to give there family’s a holiday. There was no caravans. And RV 40 yrs ago.Tents only. And one more thing the foreshore campers share there amenities block with all the public also Blairgowrie has 3 male toilets and 3 male showers. How does that work with hundreds of people using them every day and only cleaned once a day. Yes I did camp there for 40 yrs but haven’t for 10 yrs.its not all roses at the foreshore.
May be u should try it.ill guarantee you will soon go back to ur big 4.
Cheers.
First and foremost, Caravan park Management designate sites, simple.
The practice of “owning” a particular site seasonally is and will always be fancifull and unrealistic.
All patrons deserve equal right to any site therefore, the practice of first in first pick is fairest across the board.
The times they are a changing.
This is obviously long overdue and is fair to all campers. Why should anyone get priority over anyone else in a public area? Let everyone have the same opportunity to enjoy a holiday on the Peninsula.
Totally agree but the high fees you pay in December and Jan all you get is a below average beach at some places try stringers Rd blairgowrie. and terrible amenities. Most people wouldn’t want to share a public toilet with a couple of hundred people plus all the camper’s. Its not all roses at places like blairgowrie. May be people should try it in the new system. But you can only book for 3 or 6 weeks at Christmas. And trust me the amenities are pretty awful after a week.
What an excellent idea. Permanent re-booking prevents others enjoying that which should be available to all especially on public land
“The same camp-site for 40 years”? maybe it’s time for a change.
great news ,those regulars still have the same chance to rebook , just like the rest of us . cheers. should have it in Qld as well.
Sounds good to me but instead of first come first served why not a ballot system for peak times just like some popular beach camp sites in NSW.
GREAT NEWS…. gives everyone a chance to secure a spot.
They need to do this on other great sites around Oz.
Why should the same campers have the right to pre book…
What you people don’t understand is the camp sites at blairgowrie and as most foreshore camp sites. They all vary in sizes in a huge way.you cannot fit a large van on every site.they are not like a big 4 park were most sites are all a similar size. So when you go a book ur site and rock up and find your site won’t fit your van or RV or tent.what do you do then. I camped there for 40 yrs have not been there for 10 yrs. Since the committee have taken over from the council its just a money making matter .I agree with the new system but the Cameron’s bight foreshore committee. Have no idea they are not in the real world.