This summer, over 130 campgrounds managed by Parks Victoria will provide a free place to camp. By doing this, the state government wants to help busy families get away to the great outdoors.
“Busy families deserve a great holiday in our great outdoors – and this summer, they can stay for free,” said Premier Jacinta Allen.
This opportunity will run from December 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. These campgrounds are on top of over 250 camping areas in state forests that are already free for campers. For locals, there is free outdoor accommodation at several sites in Wilsons Promontory, the Upper Yarra Reservoir Park and the Baw Baw National Park.
This offer could save Victorian and interstate campers up to $7 million in booking fees. It builds on the Labor Government’s half-price camping initiative that’s been in place since 2019 and has saved campers a staggering $25.7 million.
Families who have already booked and paid to go camping won’t miss out. Existing bookings for the summer will be honoured and refunded.
Each year, more than 50 million people visit Victoria’s state forests and national parks.
“There is no better time than this summer to get out and enjoy nature, all while saving the cost of your holiday and boosting tourism in regional communities,” said Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos.
However, Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath has called out this decision, saying that the State Government has abandoned regional caravan park owners.
In Parliament, she asked Premier Allen to explain how the state government plans to support caravan park owners who will be affected by the loss of business.
“I would like the Premier to outline how the Allan government will support and/ or compensate caravan park owners or operators facing a substantial loss of business,” she said.
“[The announcement] is already causing serious distress for small business operators in Eastern Victoria,” she said.
She estimated that some businesses will lose up to 30% of their profits.
In response, Allen MP emphasised the amount of money that this program – and previous programs such as the half-price camping initiative – have saved campers.
“When busy Victorian families are trying to decide where to take a holiday this summer, I want them to choose regional Victoria,” she said.
“I will not apologise for helping those families save on the cost of their holiday whilst seeing the best our regional communities have to offer,” the premier said.
In a time when cost-of-living is affecting many across the state, incentivizing Victorians to travel to regional Victoria, thus encouraging them to spend money at regional businesses such as restaurants and shops, is a positive for many.
This comes at a time when the Labor Government is also facing backlash over moves to restrict mountain climbing in the state’s west.
After the shutdown of native timber harvesting last year, the government’s Great Outdoors Taskforce has been trying to determine the best use of state forest land going forward. This includes determining what outdoor activities may need to be restricted in order to protect the environment and endangered species.
Regardless of where you sit in the midst of these debates, why not take advantage of the opportunity for free camping and explore what Victoria has to offer?
