Camping will be free in every national park and state forest in Victoria this summer.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos visited Leanganook Camping Area in Mount Alexander Regional Park to announce camping will be free at all 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds from 1 December 2024 until 30 June 2025 – saving families $7.3 million in booking fees.
The $9 million investment will make sure 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.
Ms Allan said “Busy families deserve a great holiday in our great outdoors – and this summer, they can stay for free.”
“I grew up camping with my family and those special memories have stayed with me forever.”
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.
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 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.
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
