The Victorian Government has called time on its much-criticised free-camping-in-national-parks initiative.
The free camping idea, which was introduced in October 2024, has seen a surge in ‘ghost camping’, whereby ‘booked’ campsites were left empty after would-be campers failed to show up and didn’t bother to cancel.
In many instances, ‘fully booked’ campgrounds were reported to be largely empty, sparking anger and frustration that those who would have camped had been denied the opportunity to do so.
Free camping will end at government-run sites from July 1. Instead, the Victorian Government plans to invest $10.5 million to keep camping fees at half price at Parks Victoria campgrounds for another two years.
The spectre of empty sites in a fully-booked camp area haunts many frustrated campers.
Bookings will open at 10am (AEST) from Monday, June 2, for stays from July 1–December 17, 2025. and will be staggered throughout the week depending on the location to manage high demand.
Nationals member for eastern Victoria Melina Bath, whose electorate includes the Wilsons Promontory National Park, said people had taken advantage of the free camping system by securing multiple sites and then leaving them vacant for added space and comfort.
“By contrast campers who arrive without a booking are being refused a site by Parks Victoria staff despite the park campgrounds being half empty,” she said.
She said the initiative had been a disaster on many levels.
“That does not support local business in our towns, or even the facilities,” she told the ABC. “You’ve got local towns who’ve had a drop in patronage, a drop in sales.”
And Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria chief executive Scott Parker said free camping had been ‘a poorly considered initiative’ that had disadvantaged private caravan park owners.
“Unfortunately, our regional communities and visitor economies did not benefit from the rollout of free camping,” he told the ABC. “Ghost camping was an outcome that was foreseen and clearly communicated by the association to the government during the policy’s implementation … it was contrary to the principles of the government’s own competitive neutrality policy.”
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Half price sites for two years will be great.
Make people pay for their stay when booking a site, that way they’ll definitely turn up.
Yes. It’s really that simple isn’t it.
Indeed it is simple. This solution may not help those looking to park, as the site is officially booked and paid for, but at least the ‘culprit’ loses his money.
Yer right! then you can all book 2 sites each and still keep people out. It hasn’t stopped ghost camping in the past Its not rocket science and very simple to fix NO BOOKING = NO GHOST CAMPING but then our rule makers aren’t that smart
Those that booked won’t cancel it’s worse they often book more than one site so that they don’t have any neighbours
Have some common sense and open sites not used at 5pm
Stop the Bookings…1st in best dressed!!…brad
This does work but have seen people park their van on a Friday morning or Thursday arvo and leave then don’t come back till saturday morning. A little unfair when I come in on a Friday about 3pm and the site I like has a van parked in it and no one there. I’m also a Camp Host and quite often the whole park is booked out with a camp fee and I have half the area empty but have to turn people away that have driven in for a site adhoc.
Simply not thought out by suited public servants in Melbourne. Sad for small businesses effected also.
You have to have a disincentive to not showing up. Charge a refundable online Booking Fee of say $50 per night. Use a smart phone with location and date display enabled to take a photo of the tent/caravan/motorhome in the site. The photo should, where possible, also display the site number. Share the photo with the agency you booked the site through. If the photo confirms location and date, to the satisfaction of the booking agency, the $50 will be refunded to the nominated bank account. A non-refundable Administration Fee could also be considered if you wish to recoup some expenses.
sorry Kev, i didnt see your post..mine is similar..
Peak holidays (Easter and Xmas) should be non-refundable then the ghost bookings will stop.
Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria chief executive Scott Parker said 1. free camping had been a poorly considered initiative 2. that Ghost camping was an outcome that was foreseen and clearly communicated by the association to the government during the policy’s implementation and 3. was contrary to the principles of the government’s own competitive neutrality policy. So, the 1st thing to do is sack the Victorian Govt as they once again have proved that they have no idea how to manage anything down there.
i like the free camping idea, perhaps a “motel” like system, where you give over your credit card details, then when you are there, maybe a photo or some proof similar is sent to a number and the card is then recredited. If you fail to send, it would mean you never turned up and the fee could be deducted… like in a motel you give your card details, if no mini bar use/phone etc.. it is destroyed. This still will not help if they don’t turn up, but it might minimise if each site is worth $100 deposit – refunded once proof of your arrival. Of course, the pic would need to include your set up van/home etc..
Fair enough.
It would not surprise me if the ghost bookings where being made by those who are against any form of freedom camping.