While some travellers find it reassuring to have secured a campsite online before arrival, there is a growing trend that threatens that sense of security … campsite piracy!
Up and down the country, there are recurring reports of grey nomads and others arriving at a pre-booked national park campsite to find an ‘interloper’ already in residence.
This can lead to awkward, and sometimes unpleasant, interactions.
And just the fear that someone might be in your campsite is often enough to spoil the excitement of arrival.
“If you find someone else on your site you have no chance of getting them to move,” said veteran grey nomad, David Jones. “They know the nearest ranger is 300 kilometres away!”
Site pirates are becoming an increasing ‘menace’.
Underlying the problem of campsite piracy is another phenomenon of the online system … ‘ghost bookings’.
Campers regularly arrive at a supposedly booked-out campsite to find it is virtually empty. The fact that people feel they have to book online so far ahead and then their plans change, combined with a typically challenging cancellation system, means many find it easier to simply not turn up.
When people who can’t book a spot at a ‘full site’ learn that they can arrive and have a reasonable chance of nabbing a vacant site, there is a recipe for trouble.
Traveller Phil Jones has previously been an opportunist in this regard.
“We have returned to a park in the hope that a ‘ghost’ booking will leave a site unfilled, to find half the sites are empty,” he said. “So, we say a silent ‘thank you’ to someone else for effectively paying for our site … but it leaves a very poor feeling in us as travellers.”
Many national park authorities say they are working to make the system more flexible and to reduce the problem of ‘empty booked sites’.
In the meantime, campsite piracy both – opportunistic and deliberate – is likely to continue to cause issues.
So, what should a grey nomad do if they arrive to find their pre-booked site already occupied?
A spokesperson for Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science said it recommended showing the other camper your booking confirmation email.
“If the camper refuses to relocate to another site, report the incident to the local ranger’s office or via email at qpws@ des.qld.gov.au,” they said. “This will assist the department in planning patrols of camping areas to reduce these types of incidents from reoccurring.”
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It’s time to revert to the reliable cash in an envelope and receipt to stick on your windscreen system that has worked for many years.
Yep, this is the only way. They did it this new way to sack staff. Australia wide they sacked 56% of the staff since online booking became the norm.
I agree with Rob Stanton’s view on this subject. This leaves the decision to camp open to spontaneity subject to where and when we wish to travel without the worry of whether a pre-booked site will be available on arrival or if we are able to travel at that particular time. Over our years of travelling we have on many occasions made spur of the moment camping decisions based on what we find at a specific locality. A reasonably secure honesty box and receipt is all that is required. And a visit from the local ranger is a bonus.
Sites should be free, no online bookings & on a first in first served basis.
I hope when you work you will also work without pay. The rangers, cleaners etc. need to be paid for by campers – not the general population who may never camp there. However I agree first in best dressed arrangement. I wonder how many will dodge the envelope payment just like at so many donation venues. They think it should all be free for them.
Yes, I booked on-line a site in a popular WA NP, and you don’t get a refund if you cancel within 30 days. And it was complicated to cancel. So did not bother. There has to be a better system. The old first in, fist served with a money box worked well, I thought. Or maybe a NP need a live in Ranger or Park attendent
I totally agree with your idea of a live in ranger ! Or better still what about using grey nomads who are willing to stay a minimum of three months for free camping they could collect the fees, monitor the no shows & reallocate the empty spaces as needed the ranger could collect the money when they come around on their patrols. I believe this would be a better situation for all concerned. Maybe make them a honoree ranger.
My wife and I booked a site (#4) at Berrima NSW, only to find it occupied by tent and car, but with campers off site. Luckily we were offered another site by a friendy Nomad who had booked two sites for a friend who wasn’t able to use it. We provided the authorities with details, including a photo of the “pirates” car rego and other gear, date etc but never received recognition of receipt. The friendly nomad, from Qld., and I shared a healthy drink or two from my ‘fridge. No more Nat Pk bookings!
Then the bloody rangers aren’t doing their job.
Big Crystal Creek QLD, we booked, arrived on dusk place was overloaded, found a gap between trees and campers. Another dozen or more arrived and stayed (some on the road) after us. Amazing how many had vanished by 7.am or there abouts.