Is your favourite campground about to change forever? Why campers feel 'betrayed' by this new national parks proposal

If you’re a lover of the great Aussie outdoors, there’s a good chance you’ve spent a night or two under the stars in one of Australia’s beautiful national parks. For many people, camping is a cherished tradition—whether it’s a family holiday, a mates’ fishing trip, or a solo escape to recharge in nature.

But a new proposal from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has sparked a heated discussion, with some campers feeling that their beloved bush escapes are under threat.

What’s changing in national parks

The NPWS is trialling a new concept called ‘supported camping’ in 16 national parks across New South Wales, affecting 23 campgrounds. The idea? To allow commercial businesses to hire out sections of existing campgrounds and provide extra services—think tents already set up, equipment hire, and even food packages.

According to NPWS, the goal is to make camping more accessible, particularly for those new to the outdoors or without their own gear.

But not everyone’s on board. Critics, including Greens environment spokesperson Sun Higginson and outdoors advocate Michael Atkinson, say this model could change the nature of public camping altogether.

‘A betrayal of the community’

Sun Higginson called the plan ‘flawed and dreadfully misleading’, telling The Sydney Morning Herald that if accessibility were truly the goal, ‘you’d increase the number of campgrounds—not restrict them’.

She added, ‘You already have a tiny, tiny, tiny land base, and now you are going to exclude the community from it. It is a betrayal and a radical departure from the Minns government’s promise not to privatise public assets.’

Higginson also argued that the move effectively hands over sections of public land to licence holders who can decide who accesses them. ‘This is not the business model you pursue,’ she said, adding that the plan moves national parks away from their original purpose—keeping them open and affordable for all Australians.

Why campers are upset

For many, the heart of camping is its simplicity and affordability. It’s about rolling out a swag, cooking over a campfire, and enjoying the serenity—without breaking the bank.

The fear is that ‘supported camping’ will carve up already limited campground space, making it harder for everyday Aussies to find a spot and drive up prices if private operators start setting their own rates.

Atkinson, an avid camper, warned that the new model could make an already difficult booking system even worse.

‘The scary thing is they get to book it out before the public,’ he said. ‘It’s going to encourage these commercial operators to ghost book our campsites.’

Under the proposal, private operators can reserve supported camping sites up to a year in advance, while everyday campers are limited to bookings six months out—a detail that has many worried. ‘Ghost booking is going to get a lot worse,’ Atkinson said in an interview with Yahoo News.

He also voiced concern that national parks were increasingly being treated as business assets.

‘It does also concern me that they are really seeing national parks as a business asset,’ he said. ‘It’s about how much money they can make from this, whereas in my view, it is a public asset.’

How will this affect popular campgrounds

At Putty Beach on the Central Coast, two out of 20 campsites will be set aside for supported camping. At the Ruins campground on the Mid North Coast, up to five of 98 sites will be allocated.

While these numbers may appear small, many fear it’s just the beginning—and that more sites could be commercialised in the future.

There’s also concern about cost. There’s currently no cap on what operators can charge for supported camping, leaving prices open to market forces.

Combined with plans to raise general campsite fees, it has some campers worried the humble bush getaway could soon become out of reach for ordinary families.

The NPWS’s expression-of-interest period for commercial operators closed earlier this week, with the department yet to confirm how many businesses applied or how much they’ll pay for licences.

The bigger picture: accessibility or profit?

The NPWS insists the trial isn’t about profit but participation. In a statement to Yahoo News, a spokesperson said the initiative will help more families ‘try camping without having to invest in or store equipment’.

They added, ‘Supported camping will also allow travellers from interstate and overseas opportunities to camp without having to bring all their gear, which is often impractical.’

The spokesperson also pointed to the wider economic benefits of nature-based tourism, saying, ‘National parks underpin the nature-based tourism sector in NSW, delivering significant economic benefits to the state, driving over $18 billion in economic activity and supporting over 74,000 jobs, primarily in the regions.’

Critics, however, argue that accessibility shouldn’t come at the cost of affordability. ‘This is public land, these are public campsites,’ Atkinson said. ‘They shouldn’t be up for commercial gain. They’re treating national parks once again like a business.’

A growing trend: the commercialisation of the great outdoors

This isn’t the first time public spaces have faced commercial pressure. From glamping tents to luxury eco-cabins, there’s been a steady rise in ‘upmarket’ camping experiences.

While these can offer comfort and convenience, many campers fear they’re edging out the traditional, low-cost style of bush camping Australians have enjoyed for generations.

The rise of online booking systems during the pandemic also changed how Australians camp. While digital reservations made management easier, they’ve also led to ghost bookings—where campsites appear fully booked but remain empty, locking out families and travellers eager to reconnect with nature.

What does this mean for Aussie campers

If you’re a seasoned camper, you might be wondering: Will it still be possible to find a spot for a tent? Will prices go up? Will the spirit of camping—simple, affordable, and accessible—be lost?

The truth is, it’s too early to say how the trial will play out. But one thing’s certain: the debate over the future of national parks is far from over.

Read next:'A small minority ruin it for all’: The unexpected problem causing frustration in Australia’s favourite camping spots

Key Takeaways

• The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is trialling ‘supported camping’, allowing private businesses to operate within selected campgrounds and provide equipment, facilities, or food-related services. Critics say it will reduce access to affordable camping options.
• Advocates such as Sun Higginson and Michael Atkinson argue the plan will commercialise public land, raise prices, and make it harder for ordinary Australians to secure a campsite.
• NPWS maintains the trial will improve accessibility and attract tourism, with nature-based travel contributing more than $18 billion and 74,000 jobs to the NSW economy.
• Campers remain divided over whether supported camping enhances inclusivity or undermines the traditional spirit of simple, low-cost bush camping.

What do you think, members? Is supported camping a good idea, or a step too far? Have you struggled to book a campsite lately, or been priced out of a favourite spot? Would you pay extra for a ‘supported’ camping experience, or do you prefer to rough it the old-fashioned way?