The clock is ticking for New South Wales residents and visitors to provide their feedback on proposed alterations to the camping fees and booking systems in the state’s national parks which would see increased peak season fees. The consultation period to provide feedback to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW-NPWS), will conclude at 11:59pm Sunday, May 25, 2025 with stakeholders able to submit their opinions online.
PHOTO: The overall average cost of a camping holiday in NSW is set to increase under proposed changes CREDITS: NSW-NPWS
The revisions aim to simplify the fee system while addressing persistent issues such as ghost bookings and inconsistent charges across the state’s park campgrounds through a tiered system. The proposed changes, reportedly a result of feedback from over 200,000 park visitors, intend to implement a standardised, tiered system with six different levels of service and cost, aiming to ensure equitable access and improved visitor experiences.
PHOTO: Table 1 – NSW-NPWS proposed fee changes – ‘Average cost if CPI applied’ shows the cost of camping if consumer price index increases had been applied since 2017.
Under the proposed amendments, a notable change includes the introduction of peak season and low season charges. For instance, tier 6 campgrounds, which currently charge an average fee of $48.71 per night, could see a rise to $89 per night during peak seasons, this equates to a more than 79 percent increase. In low seasons, the rate would be cheaper at $54 per night, but still more than 10 percent higher than the current average.
While these adjustments would lead to substantially higher costs during peak times, there is reduced rates in some off-peak periods to encourage year-round visitation. However, data on the proposed fees in table 1, shows that the new low season rates in many instances remains above the current averages, highlighting the overall average increase in the cost of a lot of camping holiday destinations in NSW.
Tier 2 campgrounds, featuring minimal facilities, are proposed to have fees adjusted from the existing average of $16.94 per night to $22 during peak periods—illustrating a close to 30 percent increase. In the low season however, fees would be set at $13, which is more affordable than the current average.
PHOTO: While some bookings may become more expensive, some are slated to become free where there was previously a charge.
The NSW-NPWS noted in the consultation document, “Higher fees would be applied to manage pressure on high-demand locations and limit monopolised and speculative bookings in peak periods.” Despite the general increased cost of camping, the proposal aims to eliminate additional bookings and per-person charges, with the changes leading to some more free camping in basic sites.
PHOTO: Residents and visitors have until May 25, 2025 to submit feedback.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service emphasises that all feedback gathered during this period will play a crucial role in finalising the management and fee structure within the national parks, ensuring it aligns with both visitor expectations and environmental preservation needs.
To provide your feedback visit the NSW- NPWS have your say page and submit your thoughts before time runs out.
Life to unaffordable as it is & now the little bit of time families might have to get away is going to be unaffordable.
No do not raise the prices.
Please No
You’re pricing the poor people out of a holiday.
I think this is ethically wrong everyone deserves to have a holiday.
We say NO to this fee increase as people are finding it very difficult to afford even the shortest holiday with their families as it is. The reason behind these fee increases doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
We say NO
Any fee to use our own Country is a disgrace! Especially the bush!! Just another greedy Gove grab to take something else away from us that was never theirs to take in the first place!!
Leave the bush alone and leave the poor public alone, you charge enough for enough already!
No bookingfee, first come first in, plus the fee being asked to be paid seems very high for what services are provided considering you camp at other locations for less with better services, I also feel that the fee proposed will deter many families from exploring our National Parks.
Do not raise the prices.
Nat parks are for everyone.
Nat parks revenue should not be gained by the people as parks are for the people.
Will never go back to the Snowy’s…aerial slaughtering of innocent brumbies left dying and in agony while feral pigs roam free…hang your heads in absolute shame..there were other ways to reduce their numbers…beyond disgraceful.