Campsites could be free in one lucky Aussie state this summer

Done with expensive campground fees? Well, these family-friendly sites might soon cost absolutely nothing.

Planning on taking the kids on a summer camping trip? Well, it could just be free if you happen to live in this lucky Aussie state.

Under a new family-focused government plan in Victoria, booking a campsite may be completely free in an attempt to keep more people in the state this festive season.

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Image: Parks Victoria

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The free family camping scheme

The Allan government plan aims to ease cost-of-living pressures over the holidays by waving fees from the state's 131 bookable campsites, saving Victorians an estimated $7m.

“We have a beautiful natural environment in Victoria, it’s one of our great strategic assets,” Premier Jacinta Allan told the Herald Sun.

“My kids love camping. I know thousands of other kids love camping. Families love to go camping because that’s where those really special memories are made.

“And we want to make those memories easier to be made, and that’s why I’m looking at how we can, coming into this summer period, make camping free for families, because it is a great family experience.

“And also, too, we want to make sure families can have the confidence to plan ahead for their holiday.”

Camping fees in the state currently range from $3/night to $40.70/night. 

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The best family-friendly camping spots in Victoria

From stunning shorelines to rustic bush and sites with comfortable amenities, there's a campground in Victoria to cater to every family's preferences and level of adventure.

Here are six highly-rated campgrounds that provide the perfect opportunity for spending quality time together:

1. The Gums, Kinglake National Park
2. Point Nepean Discovery Tents, Point Nepean National Park
3. Lake Elizabeth, Great Otway National Park
4. Banksia Bluff, Cape Conran Coastal Park
5. Buchan Caves, Buchan Caves Reserve
6. Lake Catani, Mount Buffalo National Park

Image: Facebook

Another state is taking a different direction

It comes after a local council in Adelaide announced that it is set to rake in half a million dollars in cash this summer after introducing a new fee for drivers to access popular tourist beaches.

Families looking to enjoy the summer weather with their 4WD camping setups will now need to pay $12 for a day pass to access Aldinga, Moana, Sellicks, and Silver Sands beaches if they do not have a permit.

This is an increase from the $8 fee from the previous year.

The not-for-profit volunteer organisations invited to collect the fees at the specified beach access points will receive just one-third of the total funds.

Meanwhile, the council will receive the remaining amount - a projected $375,000 over the upcoming summer months.

The profits will be used to manage and maintain the foreshore environment and keep the area safe where vehicles are permitted.

Originally published as Campsites could be free in one lucky Aussie state this summer