Victorian Government makes camping free in National Parks for six months

The Victorian Government has made camping free at all 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds from 1st December 2024 until 30th June 2025 – saving families $7.3 million in booking fees.

The $9 million investment will ensure all campers have free access to every campground across the state – including the popular Tidal River in Wilson’s Promontory, where fees are currently $40.70 a night.

As part of this investment, $1.7 million will go towards additional maintenance, repairs and operating costs to ensure campgrounds are kept clean and safe for all to enjoy.

It builds on the State Government’s half-price camping initiative that’s been in place since 2019 and 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.

More than 50 million people visit Victoria’s state forests and national parks a year, for camping, hiking, fishing and hunting, four-wheel driving, trail bike riding, horse riding, birdwatching and much more.

The State Government has delivered 31 new and 60 upgraded campgrounds, as well as 155 upgraded four-wheel drive tracks and 16 walking tracks totalling 31 kilometres.

Camping and recreation contributes more than $2.1 billion a year to the Victorian economy and supports 20,000 jobs – most in regional communities.

To join the millions of Victorians who camp in our national parks and state forests every year, make a booking at parks.vic.gov.au 

Image. Leanganook Camping Area. Credit: Parks Victoria