In a move aimed at encouraging regional tourism, the Victorian Government has made camping free across all national parks and state forests in the state. The initiative, which kicked off on December 1, 2024, is part of the government’s effort to support local communities and provide families with affordable outdoor experiences.
Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment, made the announcement on Sunday, highlighting the positive impact the initiative has already had. Since the launch, the program has resulted in an estimated $2.1 million being saved by Victorian families.
“Busy families deserve a chance to enjoy a great holiday in Victoria’s beautiful outdoors,” Dimopoulos said. “With 100,000 nights already booked, we know Victorians are making lasting memories in nature thanks to the free camping initiative. It’s a win for families, regional towns, businesses, and local employment.”
The program, which is set to run until June 30, 2025, is already proving to be a success. Since the announcement, bookings for campsites have surged by 115%, as Victorians take advantage of the opportunity to explore some of the state’s most popular destinations, from Wilsons Promontory to Lake Eildon.
In total, 131 paid campsites managed by Parks Victoria are now free, with nearly 100,000 nights already reserved. The government’s $9 million investment has made this possible, and the initiative is expected to draw even more visitors to regional towns across Victoria.
To ensure the campgrounds remain safe and well-maintained, the government has allocated an additional $1.7 million for maintenance, repairs, and operational costs.
Victoria’s national parks and state forests attract more than 50 million visitors annually for a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, camping, four-wheel driving, trail biking, and wildlife watching.
In addition to the free camping initiative, the government’s broader $106.6 million investment in Victoria’s outdoor infrastructure has also funded the creation of 31 new campgrounds, the upgrade of 60 existing ones, as well as enhancements to 155 four-wheel-drive tracks and 16 walking trails spanning a total of 31 kilometres.
For those planning to take advantage of free camping, there are still plenty of sites available, with popular locations such as Aire River West in the Great Otway National Park, Neds Gully in the Cathedral Ranges, and the Upper Yarra Reservoir Camping Area open for bookings through June 30, 2025.
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