It might not be considered good news by all grey nomads but Tasmania’s plans to move its national park campsites to an online booking system are moving on apace.
Minister for Parks, Nick Duigan, said the delivery of a ‘contemporary online booking system’ had moved to the next phase.
“It was great to see more than 20 submissions from proponents received through the Expression of Interest process, demonstrating a strong response to the project,” he said. “As a result, four shortlisted respondents have now been invited to participate in the Request for Tender process for the new online platform.”
Minister Duigan said he was looking forward to the process leading to the identification of the Government’s preferred technology partner to lead the project and deliver enhanced booking options from 2026.
Tasmania's stunning national parks are a huge drawcard. PIC: Pexels / Raunaq Sachdev
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The new system will provide a seamless experience for locals and visitors to book campsites – as well as other parks products and services, including parks passes, walks and tours,” he said. “Visitors and locals alike will be able to plan their trips with confidence and tourism operators will benefit from improved access to information that will inform future planning.”
The State Government committed $2 million as part its 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future to deliver easier access to its Parks.
“Tasmania is rich in natural beauty and our national parks and reserves are a major drawcard for visitors and locals alike,” Minister Duigan said. “We have a strong track record of investing in our parks and reserves, but we recognise we must continually be innovative to keep our competitive advantage … it is terrific to see this important project gaining momentum and I look forward to seeing it take shape.”
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If Tassie follows the mainland system it will be another disaster.
Why would Tassie go to an online system when its been a proven failure elsewhere?
I don’t agree with the booking system. WA booking systems goes online overseas as well. We as west Australians can’t get bookings for Ningaloo no matter how quick you are from your 6month booking ahead. The same will happen in Tasmania.
No. If it is anything like other states it does not work. People book and then don’t turn up, thus preventing others from enjoying the area.
A solution would be that if you have booked a sight and have not arrived by say 4 pm. then that site can be taken by another person.
Contrary to many, I like online bookings. it gives data back to Nation Parks rangers to understand usage patterns of the park so they can better manage it. The real problem is with us campers, some who book then don’t go without unbooking, just lazy people.
Qld. has an online booking system which in most places work well. As an example in my area we have Byfield NP, 3 different areas, my favourite is Red Rock, then Waterpark Crk. followed by the most popular Stoney Crk.
Red Rock has sites you can book, it shows the how many sites are available but does not specific sites, so you just pick a site when you get there
Yes, another government foolhardy adventure into technology. They cannot get anything right as far these sort of things. They have all been a failure, only have yo look a VICTORIA. what as stuff up that is. Pepple will ghost on these sites unless you are charged up front. But we all have to be nice and it will not happen
Cheapest is not the best.
For about 40 years, we spent countless nights in National Parks all over Australia, and we would have paid at least $300 to $500.00 a year on camping fees.
Since they introduced camping fees in various mainland states, we spent a total of about $60.00 a year and nothing during the last 5 years.
If you are travelling around Australia, it is just not practical or safe to determine when and where you are going to be at a given time. Road conditions, weather, and vehicle maintenance requirements combined with the lack of internet in most remote areas make it just not worth the effort to visit National Parks.
When we did visit, we often found that we were the only campers in the parks. Online booking is great for people who want and need to camp during a given time (school holidays, Easter, Christmas, etc.), but for retired people, it is just a nuisance, not worth supporting.
I fail to understand why we cannot have yearly camping passes for off-season camping and why we can’t pay for camping on site. It did work for decades, and it prevented selfish ghost camping.
Wholeheartedly agree.
There is nothing more frustrating than seeing empty sites and yet no way of booking because of lack of connectivity. If online booking becomes mandatory, good phone coverage or a wifi hotspot should be assured at the entrance to the campground.
No, it doesn’t work. Too restrictive, often travelling with NO online access. I guess it goes with trying to run a parks service with NO staff. Count me out.
I do hope the National Parks on line booking system is better that the system used in WA and SA.
They are far from user friendly, we are frustrated with them, so go elsewhere.
Colleen May
Only if they have good internet and phone service.