Camping has long been a beloved Australian tradition—a chance to escape the daily grind, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends.
But for many in New South Wales (NSW) and beyond, the simple pleasure of pitching a tent under the stars is under threat.
The culprit? Soaring campsite fees and a growing problem known as ‘ghost camping’—where sites are booked online but left empty, locking out would-be campers and leaving campgrounds eerily deserted.
If you’ve tried to book a spot in a national park lately, you might have noticed it’s getting harder to snag a site, even though the campgrounds themselves look half-empty. It’s a frustrating situation, and authorities are scrambling for solutions.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is considering a controversial fix: hiking up campsite prices, especially at popular locations, in the hope that it will deter people from overbooking and not showing up.
But is making camping more expensive really the answer? Many seasoned campers—and those of us who remember when a night under the stars cost little more than a gold coin donation—are not convinced.
The ghost camping dilemma
Let’s break down the problem. Ghost camping happens when people book multiple sites ‘just in case’, or reserve spots far in advance and then forget to cancel if their plans change.
The result? Campgrounds appear fully booked online, but in reality, plenty of sites sit empty. This leaves genuine campers out in the cold, unable to find a spot, while the parks miss out on both visitors and revenue.
The NPWS’s proposed solution is to increase prices for in-demand sites and offer partial refunds for cancellations, up to 80 per cent if you cancel at least three days before your booking and up to 50 per cent if you cancel later.
Full refunds are off the table to discourage people from hoarding sites and cancelling at the last minute.
But will this really solve the problem, or just make camping less accessible for everyday Australian?
A simpler, smarter solution?
Enter Heatley Gilmore, a veteran camper with three decades of experience and the founder of a popular camping app that helps Australian find free campsites. Heatley believes the answer isn’t to punish campers with higher fees, but to make the booking system smarter and more user-friendly.
‘The reality is people just forget,’ Heatley says.
‘If they implemented an automated system it would achieve what they needed to achieve. The majority of people will do the right thing… it couldn’t be any simpler than that.’
His idea? An automated reminder system that sends regular text and email notifications to campers in the lead-up to their booking, with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ option to confirm or cancel.
If someone cancels, the site is instantly available for others to book. This straightforward fix relies on technology, not price hikes, to keep campgrounds full and accessible.
Currently, campers might get one or two email reminders before their trip, often buried in the fine print about check-in times and park rules.
But a more persistent, user-friendly system could make all the difference, ensuring that people who no longer need their booking can easily let it go, and someone else can enjoy a night under the stars.
The human cost of price hikes
For many, camping is one of the last affordable getaways. Raising fees could make it unattainable for families, retirees, and anyone on a tight budget.
As Outback Mike (Mike Atkinson), a well-known adventurer and camping advocate, points out: ‘By raising fees, they have just blocked out probably the poorest people in Australia from accessing national parks. It’s the one thing they should have access to.’
Mike argues for a return to the old ‘first come, first served’ system, which was the norm before the pandemic.
While this approach has its own challenges—especially in the age of online bookings and increased demand—it’s a reminder that camping should be for everyone, not just those who can afford to pay premium prices.
How other states are tackling the issue
It’s not just NSW grappling with ghost camping. Queensland has taken a hard line, introducing a $322 fine for campers who don’t show up for their bookings.
Other states are experimenting with different approaches, from stricter cancellation policies to more flexible booking systems.
But the underlying issue remains: how do we keep camping accessible, affordable, and fair for all, while making sure our precious national parks are enjoyed—not left empty due to no-shows and overbooking?
What’s the future of camping in Australia?
As camping grows in popularity, especially post-pandemic, it’s clear that our booking systems need to evolve. Technology can help, but so can a bit of old-fashioned courtesy and common sense. If you can’t make your booking, cancel it as soon as possible—you’ll be doing a fellow camper a huge favour.
And for the authorities, perhaps it’s time to listen to the people who know camping best: the campers themselves. Smarter reminders, easier cancellations, and a focus on accessibility could go a long way to keeping this great Australian tradition alive.
Have your say
Have you been affected by ghost camping or rising campsite fees? Do you think automated reminders are the answer, or should we go back to first come, first served? Share your thoughts and camping stories in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Also read: Is this ‘selfish’ camping habit ruining your getaway? Australian couple speaks out!
