Not-so-happy campers are grappling with a proposal by the NSW government that could push camping out of financial reach for some.

Spending time in the great outdoors is deeply ingrained in Aussies’ DNA. It’s a fun, restorative way for friends and family to spend time together, and most importantly, it’s affordable. But a proposed change to NSW campground fees could significantly up the price of a night’s camping, with some campgrounds set to undergo a 500 per cent fee increase. Here, we break down everything you need to know.

How much will campgrounds cost?

At the time of writing, the hike to campground fees is in the proposal stage with NSW Parks and Wildlife Services. They are currently reviewing feedback (which has certainly been mixed). Nothing’s final just yet, but if the proposal is passed, here’s how it would look.

Under the new proposal, campsites will be divided into six tiers, based on the quality of facilities (like flush toilets, barbecues, shelters and servicing frequency). Seasonal pricing would also be introduced, with different rates for high and low seasons.

For example, the proposed costs per night by tier are as follows:

Tier 1 sites, which are extremely basic (think no toilets), will remain free.

Tier 3 sites (which have basic drop toilets and barbecues) would cost $20 in the low season or $36 in the high season. Campgrounds such as the popular Thredbo Diggings campsite in the Snowy Mountains would fall into this category. Right now, it costs just $6 to camp there – a 500% price difference if the proposed fee is introduced.

Tier 6 sites, which have hot showers, flush toilets and the works, would cop the highest fees at $54 in the low season and $89 in the high season. This would impact popular campsites such as Bonnie Vale campground in the Royal National Park. Currently, campsite fees fluctuate between $41 and $57 per night (according to the season), meaning the cost per night would double under the new proposal.

Families and outdoor enthusiasts have raised concerns that one of the last truly affordable holiday options could soon be out of reach. With fees proposed to rise significantly, especially when camping across multiple nights, many point out that a week-long camping trip could now cost upwards of $600 for a tier 6 campground.

There’s a growing sentiment that enjoying nature respectfully should remain accessible to everyone, and the proposed fee hike prompts questions about whether that ideal is being eroded.

“[There] is a consultation on a proposed approach and all feedback is being carefully considered. No decisions have been made on the proposal," a spokesperson for NSW Parks and Wildlife Services told Australian Traveller. “NPWS will advise the public on the next steps once feedback has been considered."

Why are the fees increasing?

NSW Parks and Wildlife Services is proposing changes to bookings and fees to address the issue of ‘ghost camping’ – when people book campsites but don’t actually show up, leaving others to miss out.

While many of NSW’s most popular campgrounds have long required bookings, the broader online booking system expanded significantly during the pandemic, when visitation surged.

Some campers have called for the system to be scrapped altogether in favour of a first-come, first-served model. NSW Parks has reportedly considered this option, but found that it leads to people setting up unattended camps to ‘hold’ sites.

Parks also reportedly considered lowering fees, but said that this led to increased no-shows. And introducing a fine to deter the offending ‘ghost campers’ has been deemed not enforceable enough. As for whether increased fees will kick into gear, the NSW government is currently reviewing feedback to the proposal, and a final decision is yet to be made.