The way in which national parks across the country ask travellers to book and cancel campsites and the amount they charge – has long been a source of confusion, and angst, to many grey nomads.
Of course, the issue has been compounded in recent years by the advent of online booking systems, and the rapid rise of ‘ghost camping’ which has seen ‘booked’ campsites commonly left empty.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has just released a proposal designed to simplify camping fees and bookings in that state.
As well as offering refunds of up to 80% to encourage people to cancel if their camping plans change, the proposal would also see major changes to camping fees.
National park camping is popular in NSW ... but the camping fee structure is often baffling
In its consultation paper, the NPWS says, currently, campsite bookings may include a site fee, an extra per-person charge and a booking fee … and it recognises this complex fee structure can cause frustration for people booking.
Under the new proposal, there would be no booking fees, and no extra charges for additional people. Fees would be charged per campsite per night. The proposed fees would be set on a sliding scale based on the type of campground services and facilities provided … and seasonal demand.
There would be six different tiers, providing a range of experiences and cost options. Tier 1 campgrounds would be free and have minimal facilities; tier 2–5 campgrounds would have fees aligned with the range of services and facilities provided; and higher priced tier 6 campgrounds would have facilities such as camp kitchens and showers.
No bookings would be required for tier 1 camps which would be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, while campgrounds in tiers 2–6 would still need booking. About 86% of NSW campgrounds would be in tiers 2–5.
What may be of particular interest to grey nomads is the potential introduction of seasonal price variations to encourage visitation in off-peak periods. Higher fees would be applied to manage pressure on high demand locations and limit monopolised and speculative bookings in peak periods.
The NPWS says most campgrounds would be available at the low-season fee for the majority of the year. It says high season lasts around 90 days a year and is at different times in different campgrounds. The current campsite charges are – with the exception of tier 6 sites – roughly equivalent to the new proposed charges during the low season. It is peak season travellers who will feel the brunt of the increases.
For example, a tier 2 site that may have a pit toilet currently costs an average of $16.94. Under the new system it will cost $13 in low season and $22 in high season.
A tier 5 campsite that may have a flush toilet and a cold shower currently costs an average of $37.29. Under the new system, it will cost $38 in low season and a hefty $65 in peak season.
A tier 6 site that would have amenities like hot showers and onsite servicing currently costs an average of $48.71. Under the new system, it will cost $54 in low season and a whopping $89 in peak season.
The NPWS also says that, if the new system is adopted, a consumer price index increase would be applied annually. The NPWS welcomes feedback on the proposed changes here until May 25.
The proposed fees are extreme for the services you get at a NP. My biggest issue is ghosting. NP should charge a hefty bond to stop this.
National parks belong to everyone we all pay for there up keep with state taxes why should we be expected to pay extra because the beuercats can’t manage there portfolio
Camping at national parks is more trouble than it’s worth, so I just avoid them completely.
Prices from Tier 2 and above are too expensive. National Parks are for the people and many have an entry fee. Annual passes are the best option for entry fees but why should campers have to pay a similar rate as a caravan park. And for a solo traveller these prices are not fair.
The tier 5 and 6 sites seems incredibly expensive even in off peak times
Each state and each park seem to have different systems and, when no on line is available it adds another dimension. Also, very awkward when someone is in your campsite, as happened to us in Limmen National Park.