The campgrounds we’ve been flocking to across Victoria
One camping site has become so popular among beach-loving families that it brought in almost half of Victoria’s camp fee revenue last financial year at $3.3 million.
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Tidal River campground in Victoria’s east has raked in a massive $3.3 million in fees as families continue to flock to the beachside oasis.
The picturesque gateway to Wilsons Promontory National Park is so popular among campers, it accounted for almost half of the statewide camp fee revenue last financial year, which totalled $7.7 million. The next cash-cow camping spot was Banksia Bluff in Cape Conran Coastal Park, which earned $597,000.
The other big earner was southern overnight hiking spots in the prom, which pulled in $454,000.
Parks Victoria chief operating officer Simon Talbot said it was encouraging so many people were enjoying the state’s natural assets.
“Camping is a holiday tradition for many Victorians and a great way to get kids excited about the outdoors,” he said.
“Getting out camping is not only a great way to explore this stunning state, it’s also good for your health.”
The user-pays model in Victorian parks was first flagged in 2013 under the Coalition and introduced in 2015.
It was expected to raise $13.5 million a year to pay for the maintenance of campgrounds.
However, soon after it was brought in a backlash from campers resulted in fees at basic sites being scrapped, making 82 per cent of camping across Parks Victoria land free again.
On July 1 this year, the fees that remain in place were slashed by 50 per cent as part of a $107 million Great Outdoors package to get people enjoying the great outdoors.
Mr Talbot said the reduction “will make this tradition more affordable and accessible, drive more people to explore our great parks”.
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Interestingly, when it came to the most in-demand spots, some smaller parks were among the most common to be booked out.
At the top of the list was Forest South, Battersbys and Hutchesons campgrounds in the Lower Glenelg National Park, which is a popular spot on the way to Adelaide.
Middle Creek Camping Area at Mount Buangor State Park also filled up often, along with Blanket Bay Campground at Great Otway National Park.