There's nothing quite like going hiking by day and sitting around a crackling fire by night – getting off grid and connecting with nature. For many Australians, camping is one of the last affordable ways to get away. But it's about to become less affordable, as the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has proposed an overhaul of its pricing system across 365 campgrounds, the first significant change to its fee system since 2017. Why? To simplify bookings, standardise fees across all sites, and tackle big issues like “ghost camping” (that's when people book sites but don’t show up, which makes booking to camp difficult).
The new tiered-pricing system would be based on facilities at any particular campsite. A basic bush clearing site in a national park would be free, while the next tier with pit toilets may cost $13 per night during low season and $22 during high season. Still not bad! That said, top-tier sites with showers, flushing toilets and barbecue facilities could jump to $89 per night during peak season (i.e. during school holidays).
The issue of ghost camping is a big one – the low (or zero) cost of camping currently means that people book out a whole lot of spots, a long way in advance, that they may not even intend to necessarily show up for. And the NPWS says the change will bring fairness and transparency to a system where prices currently vary wildly. That said, of course there are critics of the new system – some arguing it risks locking out families and solo travellers who rely on camping as a budget-friendly break. Under the new fee system, solo campers would need to pay the same as a group of six, which could end up locking out a lot of camping enthusiasts from national parks.
Take Cattai Campground in the Hawkesbury: right now, it’s $36.90 for a family of four. Under the new structure, it jumps to $89 in high season and $54 in low. Some fear that linking price to facilities alone misses the point of camping – that not every site is the same. Others say pre-authorised credit card holds could solve “ghost bookings” without raising prices.
While the proposal includes more generous refunds (up to 80 per cent if cancelled three days ahead), many feel camping in national parks should remain accessible for all – especially at a time when cozzie livs is hitting hard.
Public consultation on the new fee plan is open until May 25, so have your say here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.