JRH wrote:

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herbie wrote:

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If they cant get these fees from the people who use these places they will only get it off us some other way,so maybe best to let the people who want to use  these 100 sites inside these parks PAY. Some of these sites I read are going from around $37 to $59 per night,If they can hike these frees up that much in one go,then next I guess the caravan parks will follow suit.

This is not just happening in Victoria,Tassie is heading down the same path.

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 CP in Albany South of Perth in WA is charging $40 per night for two people for a powered site.

Caravan parks, will be over flowing due to these increases.$40 a better option with power than $59 with maybe if you can stand the stench of a drop toilet in some of these N/Parks ...and no power.

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Lorries wrote:

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You can have your say to the Vic govt here - details towards bottom of article - the more responses they get the more chance we have of trying to reverse this stupid decision
www.depi.vic.gov.au/forestry-and-land-use/visiting-parks-and-forests/national-parks-camping-and-accommodation-fees

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Gday...

Ya can talk to that site until ya blue in the face (or is that blue in the fingers ( ) ... it is the Govt not the Dept that is pushing for fees and the Govt will not change their mind - despite an election looming next year.

Government don't want to "carry" free-loading tourists any more. All the blame of that previous Labor Govt apparently, so they say

cheers - John

If they cant get these frees from the people who use these places they will only get it off us some other way,so maybe best to let the people who want to use  these 100 sites inside these parks PAY. Some of these sites I read are going from around $37 to $59 per night,If they can hike these frees up that much in one go,then next I guess the caravan parks will follow suit.

This is not just happening in Victoria,Tassie is heading down the same path.

OK maybe the price to camp in the National parks is going to be too high in Victoria but why should the taxpayer pick up the bill for the few, why should it be free when in many parks they supply showers and toilets someone has to pay to clean and maintain same.

Last week called in to have a look at the Diamond Head campground in the Crowdy Bay National Park in NSW it was $10 per adult per night plus $7 entry fee, for this you get flush toilets and cold showers but a beautiful spot right on the beach, while back in the town it was $32 per night for a powered site and hot showers etc again a beautiful spot right on the beach so if comparing prices the National park is too pricey for what is provided, but I do believe there should be some charges made for camping in National Parks.

Cheers

David

countryroad wrote:

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Which National Parks are we taking about....if it's the million dollar ocean view, I wouldn't be paying $37 so if it goes up to $59 well I still won't be there. Must be top of the range.

Seems there's lots more touring around happy to pay, can't charge more than the market will pay.

They'd have egg on their faces if the camp sites were empty. Some might say would keep the riff raff away.

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Gday...

The camping ground is at Tidal River campground at Wilson's Prom in Victoria - current price is $39/night per site for 4 people ... going up to $59/night per site.

This campground is EXTREMELY popular almost all year ... bookings required. And at Easter/Christmas etc it is put your name in and wait for the ballot.

However, it is all the National Parks in Victoria that will be affected - from $0 to $19.50 and from $19.50 to $23.00 ... these fees are for groups of 4 or 6 ... which is not too bad, but not attractive if you are a solo or couple.

Cheers - John

I'm a prospector and regularly stay in the Victorian State Forrests' in the Golden Triangle and elsewhere......magnificent camping/ Van sites albeit without facilities.....never paid a cent in last three years.....never been approached by anyone including Park Rangers....I have witnessed groups of say half dozen vans or more, regularly round their centre camp fire in The Argyle State Forrest near 'Dirty Womens' Gully' at Heathcote for long weekends and longer....no fees, no bother from anyone.....reasonable access, quiet treed surrounds with Billabong nearby........plus I know of many more great free sites I come across during my prospecting.....having lived in all States including S.A. which gives you very little for nothing... rather than give Victoria a miss I believe we are well served/catered for, with the State Forrest tracks well maintained with many sign posted.......many thousands of acres available in Victoria...try going to Mt. Crawford State Forrest in S.A. for example without paying fees and constant attention by Rangers with entry gates etc...yuk!..never seen an entry gate to the State Forrests I stay in in Victoria to date....the country towns in the Golden Triangle actually realize and value how much the prospector/fossicker dollar means to them and actually are very receptive and friendly.....S.A. are qseudo greenies and many of their towns miss out as the Govt does nothing to recognize prospectors and actively discourages them...just another point of view to give balance to this discussion from my own experiences..
If you want amenities rather than blissful Forrest peace and quiet with much animal life, then I guess user pays....Hoo Roo

Dougwe wrote:

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Re the Ballot for the Prom,

You do go into a ballot for Xmas and Easter but what I find strange is, most of the time the same people get the same spots each year. It's the same thing down along the beach from Dromana - Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, Vic. In fact the latter will be starting to get a few arrivals in a few weeks setting up in readiness.

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 Yes Dougwe, they setup early then go home/back to work until their Christmas holidays arrive, then they already have their spot