In an effort to combat the scourge of ghost camping, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has developed changes which it says will deliver a fairer camping experience for national park visitors.
It is asking for feedback on a proposal to introduce more consistent and simplified state-wide camping fees and bookings for NSW national parks and reserves.
A key element of the proposal is a tiered camping fee system across the state’s campgrounds with a sliding scale of pricing based on services and facilities (barbecues, hot showers etc) and seasonal demand.
NPWS is proposing to simplify the booking process by removing booking and extra person fees.
Could the campsite booking experience be about to get a little less painful ... at least in NSW?
And refunds of up to 80% would also be provided to encourage cancellations when plans change as a result of ’ghost booking’ where numerous sites are booked but no one turns up.
It says the improvements were developed following extensive consultation with more than 200,000 campers and national park visitors.
“The proposal represents the most substantive change to national park camping arrangements since 2017 and will help tackle issues that are a source of common frustration, such as people booking more campsites than they need or not cancelling or turning up,” the NPWS said in a statement. “Campground issues such as ghost bookings have been a growing concern within NSW national parks over the last decade as visitation continues to rise.”
In 2023–24, there were 1.8 million overnight stays in 365 campgrounds across the state.
“The proposal is in response to feedback about what visitors wanted from their national park experience,” the statement said. “NPWS is always looking to enhance the visitor experience and provide improvements to campground facilities and services.”
The proposed changes are now on public exhibition and NPWS welcomes feedback until May 25.
For more information and to provide feedback, click here.
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I f a booking is for 7 days or more they pay 50% of the total fee and if no show on day 1 they loose that total amount and go on a National data base. Also perhaps a awaiting list for each site could be developed provided a fee is electronically transferred to confirm the booking.
Agree camping. Is getting ruined by inconsiderate people
How about, we go back to the good ol days of first come first serve, if camp is full go elsewhere.
These costs first camping are ridiculous
I would suggest that GHOSTs will only be reduced when refundable deposits are in place for each booking. Refunds supported with photos which include time and location metadata for the NPWS to check. A process which can be completely automated. (It may not be infallible but it will be a step forward in my view)
Repeat offenders to be banned for a period
They can just book under a different name.
Not if you require a membership to use national parks which I believe you do
The cost of policing non attendees will probably be in excess of the initial charges. Maybe a\ security/attendance fee as large as the full original cost which can be reclaimed by providing proof of use of sites. e.g. 5 sites booked, 5 sites utilised. No proof provided within an appropriate time the extra fee will be retained permanently. Each site to have a suitably inscribed heavy concrete plinth to be accepted as proof of use when a digital image is provided to the relevant Authority.
There’s usually a ranger on site to monitor
We don’t use national parks as we went a couple of times years ago. They were uncompetitive then taking into account amenities vs cost. We have tried a couple of times lately but you tried to force us to use the net. Too complicated and takes too long to do. Phoning is now disrespectful to us as nobody answers. When I was working the international standard was to answer within 6 rings and have only 1 transfer. National parks are too hard to do business with.
Regards Stephen
If no show no money back. KISS keep it simple stupid.
And who going to Police whether the camper turns up or not?
Nobody, another great Big Brother initiative to make one feel better but do nothing!!
The Big Brother government does not want to pay wages; this is why it is all internet now. I would suspect there are very few people in the department actually checking!!
The issue is people are not worried about losing the money but the site sits empty when people are waiting for one
I support Zero Refunds if no one turns up by 7.pm or rings stating they have a problem which is slowing them down. They loss the sight as well as their deposit. This will stop the Ghost bookings as well as those who book 2 or 3 placers and don’t turn up.
Have a QR code affixed to a post/plinth so you have to “check-in”. Would take a bit of doing but means one has to actually turn up. If the site is not checked-in on the date, the site automatically becomes vacant – and deposit is not returned. Issues with coverage but I’m sure there are smarter brains around who would have a solution. 🙂
My thoughts as well regarding “checking in”. QR Codes or similar are the way forward upon entry to the campsite, however, as you pointed out, reception is an issue in many places and I expect vandalism will be another hurdle.
What an outrage.
I Never had an issue finding a place to camp before this booking system, It was brought in under the veil of covid measure.
You’re already paying to access these parks via taxes and entry pass.
This is 100% national parks trying to restrict access via an overcomplicated process.
People are forgetting that this is public land!
So true, but Big Brother will be looking AT YOU now. Be very scared and run if you see any limousines (black) behind you!!
Nobody is supposed to think for themsleves!!
So right dean !!
It’s what I’ve been saying for ages – I’m retired now, but working my whole life my taxes paid for the Parks & Gardens, that included National Parks for all Australians free, no fee, to enjoy our country.
Everyone is being suckered in to paying and phoney restrictions
Absolutely correct! Internet bookings in ‘no internet service’ zones was never going to work. Have raised this issue before with NP but no response.
Put enough area in to cope with serious demand and charge a fee come or not. the areas could be multiple – some with and others without facilities. Modern campers don’t need facilities anyway. You get a number and dates when you book and display same on windscreen. Fines for creepers.
Spot checks by rangers.
There shouldn’t be a fee to camp in parks
1St in no booking
100% used to be like this … if people needed more room or a popular site they would arrange someone to be there in advance.
It wasn’t complicated, and it was fair. 1st in !!
Again, we are all being suckered into paying for what we’ve already paid for and restrictions to our movements
We had the situation arriving at a camp full of empty tents. Most of them small pop-ups. So we just picked a good spot and relocated the empty tent. Simple. Another way is to just move into a vacant tent. If someone should arrive you can still move out or say it’s yours.
LOL – I’m with you Andre
It should be first in first with camp-site, NO reservations
One hundred percent agree..First in First served.like it used to be. It takes the spontaneity out of camping having to book ahead. I guess the national parks don’t really care because ghost campers still bring in the money and there’s less work for NP&W , less rubbish to dispose of, less water used at sites with facilities etc….
Doesn’t work. People set up camp a week before to hold a spot but don’t actually camp.
People say it is the inconsiderate causing the problems, which does have some truth. Was this problem there before one could just go camping without having to pay for permission? I believe not. There may have been a problem finding a spot, BUT at least there is a good chance. Personally, I do not know why one would want to camp in a situation that is just a noisy, overcrowded, high-density living spot. A nice, quiet place listening to the wildlife is my idea of a great spot.
So true Himeros,
A quiet spot is ideal, however although we too look for those times over Easter & Christmas there are a lot more people wanting to get out to places as well.
Reminds me of a time we spent out olong the Murray, a beaut quiet spot all to ourselves, and then it became city central with 100’s of campers over the Easter break years ago ha hah And YES all free camping !!
Life’s like that LOL
Easier if the sites are managed on site, no booking required.
Something needs to be done to make it simpler to cancel bookings as well. I recently had 6 nights booked in three different NPs (two nights in each) and needed to cancel them due to a vehicle breakdown. I could do the last 4 nights online ok with a 50% refund but couldn’t do the first 2 nights online because I was meant to be staying there on the same day I was cancelling it for. I was required to ring a phone number to cancel and after waiting 30 minutes I gave up (stressful morning with a broken down car to also worry about). No refund of any amount and I became a ghost camper which I detest but they don’t make it simple to cancel on the morning of arrival.
Can a system provide similar to our doctors a confirmation text sent to confirm their booking for example seven days prior?
There should be a cancellation fee for example seven days prior refund a percentage of e.g. 80% – 6-5 days 70% – 4-3 days 50% and after that nil refund?
I understand circumstances can change and without proof it isn’t fair on the rest of the keen campers that want to experience and enjoy
Just get rid of the bloody system, it was a covid keeping track of people camping initiative and now they don’t want to lose the extra money.
Just stayed at mystery bay (2 nights) , $38 a night and was full. Then went to Brou lakes for 3 nights (total cost $6) couldn’t stay for more than 3 nights because fully booked. Left on the morning as per our booking and campsite was almost empty (spoke to another camper later that said was still less than 50% full next few days
The worst thing about booking Parks site with the intention of using it and turning up on the day to find the site occupied by a “beven” who hasn’t booked and refuses to more on. More prevalent in more remote sites where any form of policing of site occupation is almost non existent.
Thr main reason is the national park booking system does not let you make changes to your booking! Once booked, it can not be changed. Sometimes you just can’t make to the next site….
Why can’t all states do as Qld does and refund all monies when cancelled at a reasonable time before the booked date.
This should prevent multitudes of Ghost sites in other states.
Copied from the Qld National Parks Booking system site.
Cancellations and refunds.
What is the latest day that I can cancel or change my booking?
To be eligible for a refund, the request must be made more than 2 calendar days prior to the permit start date (e.g. if the booking commences on Saturday, then any modification or cancellation must be completed prior to midnight Wednesday).
If unforeseen circumstances, such as closures, severe weather, etc., applies to your booking within 2 days of your permit, or during your stay, you can submit a refund request. Refunds will be considered in accordance with the QPWS refund policy. All refund requests must be submitted within 28 days of the camping permit end date.
See instructions on how to change or how to cancel a camping booking.
How do I cancel my booking and will I get a refund?
In the Queensland National Parks Booking Service go to ‘my bookings’, locate the permit you wish to cancel. See detailed instructions on how to cancel a camping booking.
If you cancel more than 2 days prior to the permit start date, you will receive an automatic refund.
If you cancel within 2 days of your start date, or during your stay, the cancellation will be actioned automatically and refund request raised. A refund will only be issued if there are extenuating circumstances as outlined in the QPWS refund policy. All refund requests must be submitted within 28 days of the permit end date.
How long do I have to apply for a refund?
All requests for a refund must be submitted within 28 days of the end of the permit or booking period.
Surely a 50% deposit minimum which is lost if no show. I would prefer to pay in full upon booking.
JD
I booked camp sites last November at Buchan Caves and had to cancel due to 97 yr old father admitted to hospital and parks Victoria gave no refund.
It’s just another money making raught. They don’t care how they get the money. Will they charge say.. a family involved in an accident? or something else. These so called 2000 people asked , I’d like to see these so reviews.
NPWS actually do refund booking cost depending on the reason. I recently notified NPWS of an issue with access to one of the campgrounds in Western NSW making it difficult to access and therefore I did not attend. Although Idid not request a refund I received an email advising I would receive a full refund.
If you can take the time to book a spot why can’t you take the time and courtesy to cancel if you’re not going to show up. Very inconsiderate. All you have to do is press a few buttons to do so.
There seems to be too many organisations trying to rip the pockets of the very people who are spending their hard earned when travelling our great country, so I am not surprised. Aussies vote with their feet!