Parks and Wildlife Service rolls out new pay and display machines for national parks

Locals and visitors won’t have to roll out the cash to pay for entry to many Tasmanian parks and camping grounds. Read how to pay.

View from Mt Amos to Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park.

The Parks and Wildlife Service is “moving with the times” and making it easier to buy passes for entry to parks and campsites across the state.

Minister for Parks, Nick Duigan, said new pay and display machines have been rolled out across a range of park sites in Tasmania.

“This is providing greater convenience for locals and visitors to purchase a parks pass or pay for camping fees,” he said.

“We are moving with the times, recognising the old deposit style boxes that require exact cash to be deposited in envelopes is simply not a convenient option for many people.

“We know people love our parks and want to do the right thing, but in some areas of Tasmania, a round-trip to the nearest bank is simply not a practical option.

“This technology will also allow for greater flexibility for people making impromptu visits to our national parks and campsites.”

A Parks and Wildlife Service employee shows Parks Minister Nick Duigan how the new pay and display machines work. Picture Supplied.

There have been 20 machines installed in the past few months, including at Mount William National Park, the Tasman Peninsula, Bruny Island, Mount Field National Park, Hartz Mountains, Cockle Creek, Cradle Mountain, Arthur River, Black River campground, Freycinet National Park, Douglas Apsley National Park and Narawntapu National Park.

The new machines join the four already existing at the Wineglass Bay car park in the Freycinet National Park, the Cradle Mountain gateway, the Jetty Beach campground at the South Bruny National Park and Fortescue Bay.

Mr Duigan said the pay and display machines use parking meter technology, with people worldwide familiar with their use.

He said similar machines were already in operation in other states, including New South Wales and Western Australia.

“While providing another flexible payment option, there are options for people who still prefer face-to-face contact, with staff at our visitor centres available to assist,” Mr Duigan said.

“The installation of the machines is about protecting our parks for future generations to enjoy.

“It is about enhancing the visitor experience, which these machines will do.”

Mr Duigan said Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service staff worked closely with the vendor, APARC, to configure the machines to sell the parks passes and collect camping fees in the state’s national parks and reserves.

Originally published as Parks and Wildlife Service rolls out new pay and display machines for national parks