Article updated: March 3rd 2021

 

From 1 July 2021, hikers trekking multi-day walks in the Northern Territory, such as the Larapinta Trail, will have to pay $25 per day.

 

In January, the Northern Territory Government announced that anyone looking to trek the state’s multi-day walks, whether a local, interstate or international traveller, will be charged a multi-day walking fee.

This morning the Northern Territory Government revealed the pay structure for these new multi-day hiking fees. From July 1, hikers will be charged $25 per person, per day, for a maximum of five nights, for the use of multi-day trails including Jatbula, Table Top, and Larapinta. An exception will be made for Territorians using the trails for a single day hike or run.

An online booking system will be introduced and there’ll also be an increase in camping fees.

Earlier this year, the NT Government also announced their plan to begin charging tourists from outside of the state entry fees to national parks, with the exception granted to Territorians on day trips. However unlike the multi-day hike fees, park entry fees will not come into place until at least 2022.

The state’s two federally run parks, Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks already charge entry fees, however soon state-run parks, such as Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, will also expect visitors to pay. 

The exact price of entry is yet to be determined, and some locals fear the additional costs will deter tourists from making the trip. 

Glen Hingley, Tourism Top End’s Chief Executive told ABC News that additional fees would be ‘yet another impediment that’s put on businesses that makes their business unviable in these uncertain times’.

However Ethical Adventures Tour Operator, Rob Wood, told the ABC that he’s not worried about additional entry fees, so long as they’re funnelled directly back into the maintenance and management of the parks.

 

Feature photo by @conormoorephotography