Camping in Victoria Will be Free This Summer!

From the 1st of December 2024, 131 campgrounds in Victoria’s state and national parks will be free for six months.

This will cost the Victorian Government up to $7.3 million in booking fees, with an additional $1.7 million invested in maintenance, repairs, and operating costs to meet the increased demand.

The announcement was made by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen, stating, ‘Busy families deserve a great holiday in our great outdoors – and this summer, they can stay for free’.

Read more: 10 Best Camping Spots Near Melbourne

Campsites along the Great Ocean Walk will be free from December 2024 – June 2025 | Photo by Ash Wild

Camping and the Economy

Camping fees at Parks Victoria-managed sites vary from $40.70 a night at Wilsons Promontory to $15.10 along the Great Ocean Walk. The most expensive campsites in Victoria are along the Grampians Peaks Trail at $51.80 per night, however these aren’t included in the free camping initiative.

According to the Victorian Government, ‘camping and recreation contributes more than $2.1 billion a year to the Victorian economy and supports 20,000 jobs – most of which are in regional areas’. The recent announcement builds on the Labor Government’s half price camping initiative that’s been in place since 2019.

Not Welcome News by All

Commenters on Allen’s post announcing the initiative pointed out flaws in the government’s plan, stating that people already don’t show up for bookings, people may book extra campsites to avoid having neighbours, and mentions of the general chronic underfunding of Parks Victoria.

As it stands, the clunky Parks Victoria booking system makes it difficult for people to cancel, so many people book sites, and when they can no longer attend simply don’t show up rather than cancel, preferring to forgo the fee.

Keen camper and outdoorswoman Karin Trager was frustrated by the announcement, explaining, ‘Free camping takes away from the value we place on our natural spaces. The fees aren’t just there for the show. They make sure there’s enough funding to look after popular spots and keep them in good nick. If campsites are free, people might start taking them for granted, booking spots and not showing up, which leaves others missing out.’

Major upgrades have been make to amenities at Tidal River Campground in Wilsons Promontory National Park | @jackjbrookes

Additional Burden on Already Underfunded Parks

In 2022, the Victorian Labor Government came under scrutiny from the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), an NGO nature-based organisation that has ‘led the creation, protection, and defence of Victoria’s natural estate for over 70 years’ for chronic underfunding of National Parks in Victoria.

Whilst funding for National Parks continues to increase (from $256 million in 2019-2020 to $377 million in 2020-2021), the majority of this went towards improving major infrastructure, such as the Visitors Centre and new accommodation at Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Victoria is the most cleared state in Australia, and the effects of logging, feral species, and climate change mean that its parks require more funding than ever before. Parks require active management to mitigate visitor impacts, feral species, habitat restoration, fire management, and monitoring and managing threatened species to ensure they fulfil their purpose as areas of ecological and environmental significance.

What will this mean for summer camping?

Parks Victoria is in the process of updating the booking system to reflect the announcement. Explorers who want to secure their site now will have to pay upfront, but will be refunded in coming weeks. However, your usual campsite may now be booked out, with the expected flurry of first-time campers making the most of this government incentive.

For more information, head to Parks VIC booking page.

Feature image by @_lachiet