‘It needs a system that will work for everyone’: Uproar over $89-a-night camping plan
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Campers may soon face a major shake-up that’s causing concern among outdoor enthusiasts.
What began as a government proposal to manage growing demand has since stirred heated public debate.
At the centre of it all is a plan that could change the way Aussies experience the great outdoors.
Plans to increase camping fees across New South Wales sparked a wave of backlash as the state government defended the move as necessary to keep up with demand and maintenance costs.
The proposal came amid a tourism surge, with authorities pointing to a 49 per cent jump in visitation over the past decade and an urgent need to address issues like ghost camping.
If approved, the changes would apply to the state’s 895 national parks and reserves, which together cover around 10 per cent of NSW’s land.
The overhaul would introduce seasonal pricing and link future fee increases to the consumer price index, with peak times attracting higher charges.
Campers would be charged based on a new six-tier system, with only the most basic sites—clearings without facilities—remaining free.
Sites with minimal amenities would range from $22 to $65 per night during peak season, while premium campgrounds offering hot showers and BBQs would rise to $89.
Author and Alone Australia winner Gina Chick voiced her concern over the financial burden this could place on families.
‘For me, this is one of the most beautiful ways that Australians can go out and meet the environment, and especially young people,’ she said.
‘It’s really important that there is a fair system, where everyone has access to the wilderness, and where everyone can go camping.. into our national parks.
‘It needs a system that will work for everyone, and I don’t think this one does.’
A spokesperson for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said the aim was to create a consistent and simplified state-wide booking system.
They also confirmed public feedback was still being accepted and would be considered before the changes were finalised.
Authorities argued that higher prices would fund campground upgrades, meet rising operational costs, and match evolving expectations from visitors.
However, critics said the government risked pricing out everyday Australians from an activity many consider part of the national identity.
Alone Australia contestant Mike Atkinson accused the NPWS of capitalising on the growing popularity of camping rather than solving real issues.
‘The really serious thing is that they are introducing camping fees to an enormous percentage of campgrounds that never had them before,’ he said.
He added that hiking costs was not the answer to problems like site availability and no-shows, known as ghost camping.
Ghost camping refers to people reserving sites but not turning up—blocking others from booking those same spots.
Some campgrounds could soon approach $100 per night, depending on location, season and available amenities.
NPWS maintained that the update was overdue, noting it would be the first major pricing change since 2017.
Public submissions remained open with no confirmed date for when the pricing changes would take effect.
In a previous story, millions of Aussies expressed outrage over a major blunder tied to so-called ‘free camping’.
The controversy revealed how misleading information left countless travellers caught off guard.
If you missed it, you can read the full story here.
With camping such a beloved Aussie tradition, do you think these new fees will change how often people head into the bush? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
What began as a government proposal to manage growing demand has since stirred heated public debate.
At the centre of it all is a plan that could change the way Aussies experience the great outdoors.
Plans to increase camping fees across New South Wales sparked a wave of backlash as the state government defended the move as necessary to keep up with demand and maintenance costs.
The proposal came amid a tourism surge, with authorities pointing to a 49 per cent jump in visitation over the past decade and an urgent need to address issues like ghost camping.
If approved, the changes would apply to the state’s 895 national parks and reserves, which together cover around 10 per cent of NSW’s land.
NSW camping fee hike sparks backlash. Image source: The Project/Parks Victoria
The overhaul would introduce seasonal pricing and link future fee increases to the consumer price index, with peak times attracting higher charges.
Campers would be charged based on a new six-tier system, with only the most basic sites—clearings without facilities—remaining free.
Sites with minimal amenities would range from $22 to $65 per night during peak season, while premium campgrounds offering hot showers and BBQs would rise to $89.
Author and Alone Australia winner Gina Chick voiced her concern over the financial burden this could place on families.
‘For me, this is one of the most beautiful ways that Australians can go out and meet the environment, and especially young people,’ she said.
‘It’s really important that there is a fair system, where everyone has access to the wilderness, and where everyone can go camping.. into our national parks.
‘It needs a system that will work for everyone, and I don’t think this one does.’
A spokesperson for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said the aim was to create a consistent and simplified state-wide booking system.
They also confirmed public feedback was still being accepted and would be considered before the changes were finalised.
Authorities argued that higher prices would fund campground upgrades, meet rising operational costs, and match evolving expectations from visitors.
However, critics said the government risked pricing out everyday Australians from an activity many consider part of the national identity.
Alone Australia contestant Mike Atkinson accused the NPWS of capitalising on the growing popularity of camping rather than solving real issues.
‘The really serious thing is that they are introducing camping fees to an enormous percentage of campgrounds that never had them before,’ he said.
He added that hiking costs was not the answer to problems like site availability and no-shows, known as ghost camping.
Ghost camping refers to people reserving sites but not turning up—blocking others from booking those same spots.
Some campgrounds could soon approach $100 per night, depending on location, season and available amenities.
NPWS maintained that the update was overdue, noting it would be the first major pricing change since 2017.
Public submissions remained open with no confirmed date for when the pricing changes would take effect.
In a previous story, millions of Aussies expressed outrage over a major blunder tied to so-called ‘free camping’.
The controversy revealed how misleading information left countless travellers caught off guard.
If you missed it, you can read the full story here.
With camping such a beloved Aussie tradition, do you think these new fees will change how often people head into the bush? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
