Queensland camping charges

Mike Harding · Guru

Queensland camping charges

outlaw40 · Guru

You think thats bad . check nation parks rates in other states .!

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi Mike

Western Australia, in the south west of the state, is similar priced

State Parks with absolutely no facilities are per person, per night
Normal $8 Concession $6

State Parks with facilities (usually a drop toilet/ market out site/fire pit/firewood/table and bench), are per person, per night
Normal $11 Concessions $7

Unfortunately it is what it is, but the places with facilities are kept clean by the park rangers

MarkAC · Veteran Member

there are thousands of free camps other than Nat Parks or State forests where you can camp in most states.

In addition, there are thousands of camps (often run by local councils) that ask for a donation

I have a Nat Parks pass for NSW

Im not sure but I assume that Qld has a similar system. ill have to check before I reach the coast

vince56 · Senior Member

Unfortunately this country is increasingly needing to pay for gov't "bottom feeders" who do very little all day working for Parks and Councils, hence these ridiculous fees for no service.

MarkAC · Veteran Member

vince56 wrote:
Unfortunately this country is increasingly needing to pay for gov't "bottom feeders" who do very little all day working for Parks and Councils, hence these ridiculous fees for no service.

Gee, most govts provide and maintain heaps of services such as roads, toilets, campgrounds in the Parks.

my council also provided drinking water reticulation, sewage treatment services, roads, kerb and gutter plus they used to collect my garbage.

you should write to your elected representative to complain that these facilities arent being provided

dabbler · Guru

Don't spend any time in NSW NP as you pass through. There you pay both entry fee and differential camping fee dependent on popularity AND you pay for two people minimum. Good luck just laying down the swag without pre-booking usually on-line.

MarkAC · Veteran Member

do any other countries provide free access and camping in NP?

dabbler · Guru

Very few MarkAC. Some don't allow camping in NP at all. Charges in places like Yellowstone in the US are $10USD-30USD per person per night plus entry. $10 gets a camp site, $30 can get power and washing machines. BLM, National Forests and Grasslands (all fed owned I think) are free and popular with "boondockers". NZ costs are $20 per person per night and half for children. Not all Qld and NSW NP charge nothing but they aren't popular and typically aren't serviced.

MarkAC · Veteran Member

thats my point. Try some of the popular van parks and see how you go.

do you use wikicamps? its very useful and i use it daily

Olive Oil · Senior Member

It costs absolutely nothing to camp in any State Forest in every State or Territory in Australia. It's all Crown Land. National Parks are a different story. Get out there.

Hewy54 · Senior Member

Olive Oil wrote:
It costs absolutely nothing to camp in any State Forest in every State or Territory in Australia. It's all Crown Land. National Parks are a different story. Get out there.

Mt Crawford, part of Forestry SA charges $5 per adult per night.

Not sure about other states or areas, but your sweeping statement is wrong.

Mike Harding · Guru

Anyone care to venture an answer to the question?

Or do you all just want to mess around?

JayDee · Guru

Mike,

We have made 3 trip in the last 9 months 1x4,....1x4...1x2 = 10 weeks.

We have only spent 5 days in a C.Park.

There is an abundance of free - bush camps in Queensland.

A bit harder to get similar camps spots around some of our larger provincial cities here in Queensland.

Make sure your setup is suitable for bush camping and you will have a great trip... holiday in Queensland.Oh!!! Do not forget the Wiki Camp guide Apt.

Jay&Dee

MarkAC · Veteran Member

sorry but i dont understand the q

are you asking if it is just a paper tiger that isnt enforced? if so, give it a try and get back to us :)

Hewy54 · Senior Member

To answer you question from a personal point of view.
We always honour the charges, whether national parks, forest, donation camp or whatever.
I believe they offer a service, and am willing to pay for that service.
If it is a below par service we do not go there.

MarkAC · Veteran Member

Hewy54 wrote:
To answer you question from a personal point of view.
We always honour the charges, whether national parks, forest, donation camp or whatever.
I believe they offer a service, and am willing to pay for that service.
If it is a below par service we do not go there.

Your interpretation of value for money may be different to that of others.

I use wikicamps daily and 99% of the time you will see completely differing views about a location, the services provided and the attitude of the owner/manager

Last year I stayed at Kings Canyon CP and people in the next van were whinging about the lack of grassy campsites its in a desert!

Eg. If I go to a campsite that is easily accessible on sealed roads, large level campsites with ocean views, flushing toilets, hot shr, free firewood supplied etc, I expect to pay more than a camp with small sloping campsites accessible via rough twisty tracks

But in Qld NP, you pay the same

I think $6.55 pp is extraordinarily inexpensive

If that family were to stay in a fully adorned facility, they could expect to pay the weekly rate for one night

Differing expectations

travelyounger · Guru

If you call bush camping in national parks you will be charged daily fees and or camping fees in just about every state or territory in Australia although I hear some are free in Victoria . There are plenty of free camping camps or not national parks bush camping in Queensland but they are mainly away from the east coast and especially in the inland regional towns they welcome free camping or low cost cheers

MarkAC · Veteran Member

yep. staying at a free camp right now, hot shr and flushing toilet just as good as most van parks

wiki is your friend

spend some time researching it and you will find hundreds of free camps with clean facilities.

many privately/council run bush camps/overnighters ask for a donation.

small towns are struggling and i always buy a cuppa and/or do some grocery shopping as a thank you.

country butchers and bakeries are very competitive

dabbler · Guru

Mike. User pays, Simple. My last NP stay was in Bunya Mtns NP. Toilets and showers were in great condition and they were cleaned daily. Paths were maintained and those damaged by storms etc were under repair. The small cost is was better value than any other paid option and any other option (free or otherwise) was down the mountain meaning a long climb to enjoy the park. I don't recall many parks that aren't checked by QPWS staff even in remote places like Bladensburg and Salvador Rosa where they check and clean the long drops. If you can find a place that offers the same things for less than $6.55 please share the location.

Ubif · Veteran Member

7 days for $46 whats the complaint rangers come and clean toilets and replace paper
clear rubbish left by campers etc. most parks in Qld have numbered sites
I have seen people so worried that someone will roll up with paid receipt that they do not even
enjoy the stay.

Tony Bev · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Anyone care to venture an answer to the question?
Or do you all just want to mess around?

My question is: is this ridiculous and extortionate tax honoured more
in the breach than the observance - as it should be?

I can only talk for myself
I have only ever stayed in West Australian State Parks, in my area, (south west of the state), as it is nice under the trees in summer

I have always paid.

There is a box of envelopes, you put your money inside, and then remove the flap before you place the envelope in a secured money box

You have to put your name, pension card number, vehicle rego, date, how many nights, camp site number, then put the flap either on a specific post at your camp site, or on your dashboard

Some people turn up after hours on Friday thinking that they have a free weekend of camping
Sometimes the ranger will turn up, early Saturday morning, and catch them

The rangers obviously takes their rego number, let them off providing they actually pay, and I have heard them give stern warnings

If I decide to stay in any paid/low cost/donation camp, I always have two choices, pay or do not camp there

Off the top of my head, 99% of my camping is in free/low cost/donation camps

TheHeaths · Guru

We always pay the NP fees if required, and a donation if required. My experience is that these fees are paid by most reasonable people as a normal part of the travel experience. We camp between 10 and 15% in low cost, free,NP, or donation camps on average.

What have you done in the past In low cost, donation or NP camps Michael?

brickies · Guru

It has always amazed me how many people out there who think they should get a free ride .

Plain Truth · Guru

Well we must be lucky,we go to a Free NP. on a river with clean drop toilets,a boat ramp and free gas BBQ's.

Plenty of firewood and rubbish collection at the entrance to NP.

Rob Driver · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
I'm thinking of heading to Queensland next year in order to escape
Victoria's winter; to this end I investigated the details of bush
camping in Qld and discovered that if I choose to lay down my swag
at the end of a long day on any piece of dirt in a National Park or
State Forest I am obligated by law to book in advance and pay the Qld
government $6.55 per person per night.

Therefore, it seems, that if mum and dad wish to go camping with their
two children for one week (what a good thing for all families to do,
is it not) it will cost them $183.40 to pitch their tent on a bit of
dirt with zero facilities.

My question is: is this ridiculous and extortionate tax honoured more
in the breach than the observance - as it should be?

Someone has to pay for upkeep and maintenance.

You are probably more suited to stay where you are than to travel and whinge about the the price.

No ratepayer or tax payer owes you or anyone else a free ride. If $46.00 per week will send you broke then you should not be even considering travelling.

woolman · Guru

The trouble is nobody (in parks and wildlife) looks at the costs. It actually costs as much to collect the fees in administration costs (reason for fees). The reason given for fee is to assess how many people use the camp grounds. Only problem is only honest campers pay.

Mike Harding · Guru

'Twas always thus on the internet...

One asks a question with even a hint of morality and some come out of

the woodwork to assume one is a vagabond and scoundrel and relish

their righteousness in chastising him.

Let's sort some chaff here:

If decent facilities are provided and maintained I do not have an

issue with paying for them - nor should anyone.

However: if I am laying my swag (or caravan) down on a bit of dirt in

the bush with ne're a toilet or tap in sight then I do not, and will

not, expect to pay $6.55 or $2 or $97 to do so! This is my land and I

pay taxes for it. Are Aborigines charged to camp in Qld? You bet your

butt they are not!

Here, in Victoria, one may camp for free in all State Forests,

National Parks and State Parks with a few exceptions for the tourist

type NPs and I see *no reason* why that should not be the same in

other states.

User Pays?

Well I thought that's what my taxes did?

Nevertheless: you "User Pays" people, therefore, must also support:

Lower taxes for childless people - no schools.

No Medicare - who needs it unless sick - private medicine.

Pavement taxes for people who don't own cars.

And on it goes....

To ask the question again:

NB: Not a campsite with toilets, water and what have you but simply a

bit of dirt in the bush:

How many people actually choose to book and pay for camping in such a

location?

MarkAC · Veteran Member

Mike Harding wrote:
'Twas always thus on the internet...

One asks a question with even a hint of morality and some come out of
the woodwork to assume one is a vagabond and scoundrel and relish
their righteousness in chastising him.

Let's sort some chaff here:

If decent facilities are provided and maintained I do not have an
issue with paying for them - nor should anyone.

However: if I am laying my swag (or caravan) down on a bit of dirt in
the bush with ne're a toilet or tap in sight then I do not, and will
not, expect to pay $6.55 or $2 or $97 to do so! This is my land and I
pay taxes for it. Are Aborigines charged to camp in Qld? You bet your
butt they are not!

Here, in Victoria, one may camp for free in all State Forests,
National Parks and State Parks with a few exceptions for the tourist
type NPs and I see *no reason* why that should not be the same in
other states.

User Pays?
Well I thought that's what my taxes did?

Nevertheless: you "User Pays" people, therefore, must also support:
Lower taxes for childless people - no schools.
No Medicare - who needs it unless sick - private medicine.
Pavement taxes for people who don't own cars.
And on it goes....

To ask the question again:
NB: Not a campsite with toilets, water and what have you but simply a
bit of dirt in the bush:
How many people actually choose to book and pay for camping in such a
location?

I'm taking you at face value and assume that you arent a troll taking the piss

You mentioned that you wish to escape the cold/wet weather in Vic and head Nth to Qld just like thousands of others.

Yes, it is our land, but if you want to take advantage of your land in Qld, then you must pay for it.

If you own land in Australia, you still pay to use your own land. If you rent, then the taxes are built into your rent

The alternative to paying the $6.55 to camp in Qld, is to join those other tight Victorians and stay in your home state and go camping in the many wonderfully warm and sunny (but free) NP campsites.

Playing the race card is always a great move.

If you somehow think that aboriginals get a better deal that non-aboriginals in this country, then you are very much deluded.

How many aboriginal families have you ever seen camping anywhere? How many have you ever seen even taking a holiday anywhere?

They are flat out just surviving from day to day and the idea of taking a holiday and travelling to a NP to camp is laughable.

Stop whinging and pay the fee or stay at home. No one is forcing you to camp in Qld

no more from me on this subject because i dislike racists immensely. Thank you for showing your true colours for all to see

Mike Harding · Guru

>no more from me on this subject because i dislike racists immensely.

An expected response from people who are unable to present a logical argument.