The recent decision by the Victorian Government to not charge for camping at its national parks this summer has been widely welcomed … but it has also raised the unwelcome spectre of a potential rise in the incidence of ‘ghost camping’
Most grey nomads are familiar with the unwanted side effect of the growth of online booking systems in national parks … that is a large percentage of sites left empty due to ‘no-show campers’ failing to cancel their bookings.
It seems that, with many of the most popular campsites having to be booked months in advance, it is almost inevitable that a significant number of them will find their circumstances – and their plans – change. And not everyone is prepared to go to the trouble of cancelling their booking.
The spectre of empty sites in a full-booked camp area haunts many frustrated campers.
A number of states, including Victoria, have recently implemented a series of measures to try to combat the scourge of ghost camping … but some travellers are concerned that the decision to waive all charges for staying at all 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds from December 1, 2024, until June 30, 2025, will make a bad problem worse.
Commenting in the Grey Nomads website, ‘David’ warned his fellow travellers to stand by for a plague of ‘phantom’ bookings.
“Whilst the idea sounds good, in reality it means people will make multiple speculative bookings as they are not sure which days will best suit them or book back-up dates in case of poor weather,” he said. “Then, when they do lock in dates, there is no financial incentive for them to cancel the unused dates.”
Parks Victoria said it had recently introduced an additional measure for the free camping initiative – two sites maximum per transaction – and it stressed it would continue to monitor the situation over the coming months.
It is understood Parks Victoria is really relying on people to do the right thing when it comes to cancelling a booking if they can no longer make their camping trip … but rangers will patrol campgrounds and monitor this issue over the summer.
Earlier this year, Parks Victoria held community engagement on its campsite booking system and received feedback from more than 3,000 people … and implemented a number changes.
Mark Knower, Parks Victoria Senior Manager Marketing and Customer Experience, told the Grey Nomads that a more flexible cancellation and refund policy should improve the ‘ghost camping’ situation.
“Improving our booking system is an ongoing process and we will continue to listen and gather community feedback,” said Mr Knower.
After seeking its own community input, Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) went even further.
“It is now an offence to not attend a booked campsite or to put up tents and leave them unattended for more than 24 hours without a reasonable excuse, such as in an emergency,” a DESI spokesperson said. “This regulation means people booking campsites and setting up equipment to exclude other campers will now run the risk of being fined and having their camping permits cancelled.”
In New South Wales, the NPWS has also acted to reduce the number of booked, unused campsites by making cancellation easier, and campers can get a 50% refund of camping fees up to the day of arrival, or postpone their booking and retain all money paid.
WIN A JOOLCA HOTTAP NOMAD WATER HEATER KIT
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win a Joolca HOTTAP Nomad, the world’s smallest water heater. The kit also includes a pump, shower head, and tub/kitchen sink. The prize is valued at $699.
It allows travellers to enjoy the benefits of hot water in just about any location they can take an LPG bottle. It can be used with a jerry can or the sturdy two-stage water filter can be thrown into the nearest creek or lake and pump water up to 30 metres to your campsite.
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
WIN A COBB PRO BLACK GAS GRILL
Cooking system king, Cobb, is offering GN members the chance to win one of two Cobb Pro Black Gas Grills, each valued at $399. This all-in-one portable gas cooker is versatile, compact, and windproof, and allows travellers to grill, fry, roast, boil, and more with ease.
The basic package includes the grill, a carry bag, and a heavy-duty BBQ griddle for perfectly searing steaks and vegetables. Lucky winners will be able to enjoy up to eight hours of cooking on a single 450g gas canister.
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
I cant believe the lack of free camps in Victoria …its one thing abt National pks but dogs r allowed in some caravan pks along the Grt ocean rd but not cats .
Had a really hard time trying to book anywhere because I have a 14yo cat .In the end I free camped in places overnight …
If Parks Victoria are not going to charge for a site, why book? Keep It Simple Stupid, first in best dressed. It was like that for many years with no problems then the booking system was introduced along with a load of problems. we refuse to use them now except for day trips.
i agree – first in best dressed..
I agree, first in best dressed is the way to go when the sites have no fees.
Why bother booking?
That way there are no so-called ghost camps.