Arabic version: تاسمانيا تطلق نظاماً إلكترونياً لحجز مواقع التخييم

According to ABC News, Tasmania has rolled out a new online booking system for selected campsites, aiming to create a more consistent approach to camping fees and address “ghost camping”. The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) describes the service as the first stage of a broader rollout. Ghost camping occurs when campers reserve sites with an unoccupied tent or van before they are ready to use them.

The first stage lets campers find, book and manage bookings at campgrounds that already require a booking fee. It covers Narawntapu, Maria Island, Freycinet, Mount Field, South Bruny and Mount William national parks, as well as Fortescue Bay, Peggs Beach Conservation Area, Arthur Pieman Conservation Area and Lime Bay State Reserve. The platform includes details about amenities, nearby activities and regional alerts.

Camping is now charged at a flat rate per site for groups of up to six people, rather than per person. Standard sites cost $18 per night, premium unpowered sites cost $24, and premium powered sites cost $35. Larger groups must book additional sites. Existing rates will be honoured for bookings made before the system was introduced, while revenue from bookings will be reinvested in managing Tasmania’s national parks and reserves.

Freycinet National Park and Fortescue Bay will use numbered campsites, with users able to choose available sites from a map and required to camp at the number assigned to their booking. The other eight locations have unnumbered sites. PWS director of tourism Tory Ross said these will operate as a “turn up and camp, first-in, best-dressed” system after online booking, with some inventory withheld for walk-ins over summer and additional staff available to assist visitors. PWS said many campgrounds will remain free and will not require bookings. Parks Minister Nick Duigan said the system is intended to later include PWS-managed walks, cave tours, accommodation and park passes through one portal.