How to secure your free camping spot this summer

Camping will be free across Victoria this summer – including at the popular Tidal River in Wilson’s Promontory – but get in quick to secure your spot.

Camping at Tidal River will be free this summer. Picture: Supplied

Camping will be free across Victoria this summer – including at the popular Tidal River in Wilson’s Promontory – in a bid to ease cost-of-living pressures for families.

The move, first revealed in the Herald Sun last month, strips fees from the state’s 131 bookable campsites, saving Victorians an estimated $7.3m.

The Allan government’s $9m investment will ensure sites are free – including at Tidal River where fees are currently $40.70 per night – between December 1 and January 30.

As part of the investment, $1.7m will go towards extra maintenance, repairs and operating costs to ensure campgrounds are kept clean and safe.

The free bookings are expected to save Victorians about $7.1m in fees. Picture: Supplied

Those who have already paid to secure their site won’t miss out, with existing bookings to be honoured and the fees refunded.

Latest data shows camping and recreation in the state’s national parks contribute $2.1bn towards the tourism industry each year.

It also supports and estimated 20,000 jobs.

Announcing the free camping initiative in Leanganook Camping Area in Mount Alexander Regional Park on Sunday, Premier Jacinta Allan said families deserved “a great holiday in our great outdoors” this summer.

“I grew up camping with my family and those special memories have stayed with me forever,” she said.

To join the millions of Victorians who camp in our national parks and state forests every year, make a booking at parks.vic.gov.au

Originally published as How to secure your free camping spot this summer