Government to raise fees for camping and hiking fees in Northern Territory parks and reserves

Advising of changes in management “to help to protect, modernise and improve” its parks and reserves, the Northern Territory Government has announced a significant rise in fees for hiking and camping.

To be introduced from 1st July, and raised each year over the next three years, weekend campers and multi-day trekkers will pay increasingly higher park fees to access Northern Territory parks and reserve.

The rise in camping fees - of up to $3.40 per night - will see increased charges for the first time since 2000, with further increases to come into effect in 2022 and 2023.

Advising that revenue raised will be channelled back into preserving the parks and reserves, Northern Territory Minister for Parks and Rangers, Selena Uibo, stated “the Northern Territory is home to more than 65,000 years of continuing cultural heritage centred around our lands and seas. Our parks and reserves are home to remarkable sites and endless opportunities to adventure and wander.

“It is imperative that we are able to care for, maintain and improve our parks. Camping and walking fees for Territory parks have not been increased in over 20 years, and increasing fees will help to generate some of the funds required to support our parks.

“The revenue from fees that will flow to Traditional Owners in 33 of our parks will provide the opportunity to create jobs on-country and develop Aboriginal tourism opportunities.

“These changes to our parks will protect our spectacular natural landscapes, whilst creating new opportunities to enhance visitor experiences and attract tourists from across the country and the globe.”

Changes to the management of the Territory’s parks and reserves will also see the introduction of an online booking system to streamline bookings and offer more certainty for visitors.

It is also seen that the booking system will provide improved safety because there will be better information about where visitors are and provide visitor statistics for future planning and the growth of experiences.

Online bookings for campsites will be monitored by rangers and authorised campground hosts to ensure compliance with bookings.

A tender will soon be released for the provision of an online booking system including software licenses, hosting and support for a period of 48 months. Once a successful applicant has been selected, more information will be released in relation to how the booking system will work for users.

Multi-day walking fees will help to provide better, safer trails and campsites. Fees will initially be introduced at three of our iconic parks - the Jatbula, Tabletop Track in Litchfield and the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia.

In July 2022, a parks pass for interstate and international visitors will be introduced. All Territorians should be able to explore and enjoy our parks, and that’s why parks passes will only apply to interstate and international visitors.

All Territorians will continue to have free day access to Territory parks.

Revenue from the fee changes will be channelled into parks and reserves across the Territory, with a percentage of fees on parks that are jointly managed paid to governing land councils on behalf of Traditional Owners.

The Northern Territory Government manages 85 parks, reserves and protected areas across the Northern Territory.

For more information visit www.depws.nt.gov.au/parks-and-wildlife-commission/changes-to-our-parks

Image: The Territory's Larapinta Trail.