Aussies outraged over ‘sneaky’ new camping fee increase in NSW National Parks

Camping out in one of our gorgeous National Parks has always meant families can have a cheap getaway. Not anymore...

Once known as a getaway option that all families could enjoy on the cheap (should they be willing to forego the creature comforts), camping with the kids has now been called out as a "middle-class" activity. 

And it's all thanks to a sneaky fee increase proposed by New South Wales National Parks.

Former Alone Australia contestant and passionate advocate of fair camping, Michael Atkinson (aka @outback_mike), hit social media to rant about a new plan put forward by NSW National Parks for an increase in camping fees to combat some common behaviours displayed by campers that have been ruining the experience for others. 

"I prefer to have a sunny disposition, but it is pretty hard to not get a little bit upset when you look at the proposal for New South Wales National Parks camping fee increases," Michael shares in a video on Instagram. 

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Camping in a NSW national park will come with a fee increase. Image: Supplied

NSW National Parks to introduce fee increase

Mike goes on to explain that he has been in touch with NSW National Parks, who confirmed the reason behind the move. 

"Thredbo Diggings, which is now $6 a night is going to go up to $54 a night. That is a nine-time increase! They're saying they're doing this in response to ghost bookings," he confirms. 

"The other reason they're saying is because 49% extra people are visiting the parks, but nowhere in their proposal did they consider increasing the amount of campsites by 49%, therefore meeting demand." 

An avid camper, Mike's main concern is that the increase in price will put a strain on Aussie families who are already struggling and rely on cheap holidays such as camping to get away and treat the family. 

"This kind of price increase is going to put a whole bunch of people out of reach of camping in NSW National Parks," he insists.

"If you don't have a lot of money, that should be the last thing that you can always do.. go camping on public land and enjoy yourself. That's just going to be out of reach for so many people now!"

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Campers are not happy with the new proposal. Image: Instagram / @outbackmike

Camping is now getting expensive

The Aussie adventurer isn't the only one who is outraged over the proposal, with many chiming in with their own thoughts. 

"Absolutely disgusting. What happened to Australians being able to enjoy the outdoors?" someone questioned. 

"Well said! We have all got your back in this one!" another praised. 

"If they do go down this route of paid/booked campsites, I think they really need to allocate a few campsites per campground or a couple of campgrounds per region that are free and first come first serve. This would cater for people who decide to go away last minute or people who are road tripping through, as these people can’t book ahead as they don’t know where they’re gonna be in advance. This would also cater for people who can’t afford to pay," another suggested. 

And another camper agreed: "100% agree. National park campgrounds should be accessible to all."

There were, however, a select few who were in support of the new rules, claiming it will stop a lot of entitled behaviour we're seeing at popular campgrounds. 

"I'm all for it, I am so done with driving on because a site is full, filled up with caravans parked for weeks, or screens put up to reserve a space," someone stated. 

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Putting an end to "ghost bookings" 

It's not the first time Mike has caused a stir in the camping world after calling out entitled campers who were taking advantage of the booking system and following the 'trend' of booking multiple spots at campsites to give them extra room and privacy while camping.  

"Do we even need a booking system?" he asked in an Instagram reel at the time, before saying the current one "isn't working well" and is "no longer needed."

In the clip, posted in 2024, Mike shows a "fully booked campground" in Kosciusko National Park that had only one in five actually occupied by someone. 

Why there is a new fee increase for campers in NSW. Image: Instagram / @outbackmike

What you can do

His latest rant targets the same trend, but this time Mike says people have the opportunity to voice their concerns before the proposal is implemented. 

"We've got until the 25th May to fill out an online survey and you can put your response in there," he shares.

"I'm going to suggest that they remove the booking system for all of the places that didn't have one before COVID and that they increase the amount of campsites in line with the amount of extra visitation and not increase fees because access to national parks for camping should be available to absolutely everybody and we should be encouraging people to get outdoors - not making it a middle class and above activity."

Mike linked the submission for people to have their say in his Instagram bio and gave the go-ahead for anyone interested to use his words, stating the same concerns he had. 

Kidspot contacted NSW National Parks for comment. 

Originally published as Aussies outraged over ‘sneaky’ new camping fee increase in NSW National Parks