The growing reputation of Australian national parks among some as ‘greedy money grabbers’ appears to have been re-enforced by another controversial decision by Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS).
Bushwalkers keen to enjoy the newly developed Three Capes Track will more than likely have to pay $500 for the privilege.
According to the PWS, the journey which begins when walkers check in at the Port Arthur Historic Site is something special.
“Over four days and three nights, walkers will cover the 46 kilometres, taking in tall eucalypt forests, coastal heath and Australia’s highest sea cliffs,” it gushes.
Sounds great, but that the sting in the tail is that while there used to be two recognised, and three informal, camping sites in the Cape Pillar area, there will now only be one campsite along the length of the track … and that will only have capacity for six tents.
The rest of the Three Capes Track will be firmly designated ‘no camping’.
The parts service says the Three Capes experience is a cabin-based experience only, and has been designed to minimise impacts on the environment.
So, to walk the newly developed Three Capes Track, most bushwalkers will need to pay about $500, including accommodation at huts placed along the track.
The ABC reports that the news was met with a flurry of angry comments on social media.
“That is outrageous what you’re doing here,” one Facebook user said.
“A national park is supposed to be for the enjoyment of the people, not specifically for rich tourists who can afford it. This is shameful.”
Another said: “So effectively Parks and Wildlife have locked up the Cape Pillar Walk as a private enterprise, no walking it unless you pay $500, how can this happen it’s a national park?”
Hobart Walking Club president Storm Foulkes said the planned site was not enough.
“Our concern is the latest development might limit the enjoyment of people who are not prepared to pay the money and walk the track,” she told the ABC.
Well as a person who will never walk the track all I can say is welcome to the user pays system that all levels of government have subscribed to. .The cost of building the paths has to be recovered as well as the maintenance and huts so on a recovery basis $500 is possibly a reasonable price, much like using the toll roads. What you get is what you pay for.
Just another greed grab, shameful.
What is this place coming to,starting to sound like the rich get richer I thought that National Parks were for the PEOPLE not the select few there are more national parks in this country than any where I know of.and if you have a dog well just get the hell out of it .I am all for some restrictions but lets be fair about it. as for the cost $500 well just not fair.
Quite honestly this path is not for everyone in fact in the main it will be for fit mainly young people , it is not for the old and infirm ,the disabled of any age or any others who cannot commit to such a walk. I would like to have all my leisure interests subsidised by the taxpayer but it ain’t going to happen so user pays is a reasonable option to defray the costs of providing the service.
There should be available another option where walkers/campers who carry all there own necessities could do the walk at a minimum cost. These National Parks are there for us all to enjoy. But it’s Tasmania and just getting there is a huge cost.I’ll never do it.
Now, where did I leave my big ‘BOYCOTT’ stamp? Ah.. There is is…
What a joke Philby. We are already paying for all these parks in our rates / taxes etc. I remember in the Gawler ranges where one has to pay and yet all you got was a lot of rangers sitting around doing nothing or else just collecting fees. You wouldn’t mind if you got value for money.
Well I do not use national parks and I am expected to pay for them then on top of that I am expected to pay for my nights in a caravan park. I do not use toll roads very often but accept that if I do then I must pay. Paths have been built cabins have been erected so why not charge those who want use the tracks. The mentality of those who say “I pay taxes therefore I have a right to free parks ” is a nonsense.
hi all. why do we pay the ever increasing taxes that govts put on us all
and then have a never ending top heavy over paid hierarchy
then on top charge thru the nose to do stuff
http://m.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/cheap-track-plan-mulled/story-fnj4f7k1-1227544528239.
Read the story 300 already booked ,boat ride 4 nights and cabins $500.
Cost of track $30 mill.
Save your money, and go to Maria Island instead. Tasmanian govt. is losing the plot, with thousands of kms of bushwalks around our nation laid by our forefathers for the love of the bush, you should hereby be ashamed of being in charge. Give them a toilet brush, and a job cleaning their own park toilet instead. I’ll save my tourism dollar, and not even visit Tasmania.