Premier Jacinta Allan and Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos made the announcement at Leanganook Camping Area in Mount Alexander Regional Park, highlighting that this move would save families $7.3 million in booking fees.
“Busy families deserve a great holiday in our great outdoors — and this summer, they can stay for free,” Ms Allan said.
“I grew up camping with my family and those special memories have stayed with me for ever.”
The government is investing $9 million to cover all 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds, including popular spots such as Tidal River at Wilson’s Promontory, where campers currently fork out $40.70 per night.
To ensure campgrounds remain spick and span, $1.7 million of this investment will go towards additional maintenance, repairs and operating costs.
The announcement builds on the government’s half-price camping initiative that’s been in place since 2019 and saved campers $25.7 million.
“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,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
Families who have already paid for camping bookings need not worry — their existing reservations will be honoured and refunded.
More than 50 million people visit Victoria’s iconic 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 government has been busy, delivering 31 new and 60 upgraded campgrounds, as well as sprucing up four-wheel drive tracks and walking trails.
Camping and recreation pump over $2.1 billion annually into the Victorian economy and support 20,000 jobs, mainly in regional communities.
Ready to pitch a tent? Head to parks.vic.gov.au to make a booking.
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