“Ghost camping,” where individuals reserve spots in Victorian parks but do not use them, has decreased this summer following the discontinuation of a free camping scheme. Despite this improvement, regular campers at Wilsons Promontory are advocating for further modifications to the booking system for the state’s most popular campground, Tidal River.
Booking System Developments
Occupancy at Tidal River is higher than last year, when a free camping initiative allowed bookings without penalty for non-attendance, resulting in empty sites while the campground appeared full. The Prom Campers Association (PCA) committee member Matt Vigus stated that reintroducing a ballot system would enhance equity, shifting away from a first-to-log-on competitive booking process.
An online first-come, first-served booking system was introduced at Tidal River for the 2023/24 summer, replacing a previous system of applications and random draws. The initial year of this new system experienced a website crash and a data breach. The second year's online operations were smoother, but the issue of unused sites persisted during the summer.
This year, Parks Victoria reinstated half-price booking fees to reduce ghost camping. Parks Victoria could not provide comparative booking numbers with the previous summer due to different time periods. PCA president Madeleine Farrelly indicated that pricing likely ensured greater commitment from those booking sites, contributing to a noticeably fuller campground. She added that demand for Wilsons Promontory significantly surpasses supply, making a ballot system appear more equitable.
Camper Concerns and Official Response
The PCA expressed that the online rush in June for summer site reservations disadvantages less technologically skilled individuals and those without the capacity to use multiple screens for booking. Parks Victoria responded that the current first-in system offers campers flexibility to book specific sites and dates. However, PCA vice president Molly Hodgson countered that during peak summer demand for Tidal River, campers prioritize securing any spot over a specific one. She argued that a ballot system would provide adequate time for applications before a fair, randomized draw, potentially allowing rangers to allocate sites more efficiently based on camper needs, such as accommodating solo hikers versus large families.
Parks Victoria has stated there are no current plans to reintroduce the ballot for Tidal River. A spokesperson reported strong campground bookings across the state, with most sites fully booked until the end of summer. Since reservations opened in July, 194,797 nights have been booked.
Broader Impact and Availability
Nationals MP Tim Bull, a critic of the previous free camping scheme, noted that ghost camping in his East Gippsland electorate has decreased with the return of pricing. Scott Parker, chief executive of Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria, suggested the return of pricing for state-owned campgrounds helped increase occupancy rates in private caravan parks in December, with cabins up 5% and powered sites up 3%. He viewed this as an indication that the government’s reversal of the free camping initiative benefited private park operators.
Jordan Crook, a campaigner at the Victoria National Parks Association, agreed that sites were slightly fuller but raised concerns that funding cuts to Parks Victoria and half-price booking fees could lead to under-resourced park management. Parks Victoria confirmed that sites remain available this summer in locations such as the Grampians, Little Desert, and Thurra River in Gippsland. A spokesperson also noted the availability of over 1000 free campgrounds in national and state parks across the state for spontaneous trips.