Free camping ended in Victoria on July 1 after widespread ghost bookings and rubbish dumping issues.
The Victorian Government’s 2025 budget, released in May, completely scrapped a state-wide free camping program.
The Victorian government will now replace the troubled free camping program with half-price fees. This decision follows months of problems with no-shows at fully booked campsites. Additionally, increased waste dumping has plagued government-run Parks Victoria campgrounds since the scheme launched in October 2024.
The free camping program originally aimed to ease cost-of-living pressures and boost regional tourism. However, ghost booking became a significant issue immediately after implementation. Subsequently, campers found dozens of empty sites despite online booking systems showing full capacity.
Free camping ends in Victoria
- Free camping officially ended 1 July
- Half-price camping fees begin July 2025 through June 2027
- Victorian government investing $10.5 million in half-price camping program
Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
View this post on Instagram
Half-price camping returns
Consequently, the Victorian government outlined a return to half-price camping structure at Parks Victoria’s 131 paid, government-run campgrounds in the budget.
The state government is investing $10.5 million for another two years of half-price camping.
Meanwhile, since half-price camping was introduced in 2019, campers have saved more than $25 million in booking fees. Furthermore, the return to half-price camping ensures more Victorians can get out into the great outdoors. The new structure aims to address the problems that plagued the free camping initiative.
Nevertheless, the free camping idea was dogged by problems from the start, according to an ABC interview with Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria chief executive Scott Parker. Therefore, the government decided to abandon the free camping program after just eight months of operation.
The half-price camping program aims to include improved booking conditions. Additionally, campers can now book up to three campsites per campground per transaction instead of the previous limit of two.
How to book camping in Victoria
Camping bookings at Parks Victoria’s bookable campgrounds are currently open to book until 17 December 2025.
For stays up to 1 March 2026, including summer peak season and the 26 January long weekend, bookings will open at 10am (AEST) from Monday 30 June and be staggered throughout the week depending on the location to manage high demand. A Lobby (holding area) will open prior to 10am (AEST):
- Wednesday 2 July: Popular campgrounds*
- Thursday 3 July: Multi-day adventures^
- Friday 4 July: All other bookable sites across the state
* Popular campgrounds: Banksia Bluff (Cape Conran), Johanna Beach, Blanket Bay, Aire River West, Cooks Mill (Cathedral Range), and Lake Catani (Mount Buffalo)
^ Multi-day adventures: Grampians Peaks Trail, Prom Southern Circuit, Falls to Hotham, Great Ocean Walk, Great South West Walk, Glenelg River Canoe Trail, Burchell Trail and Wilderness Coast Walk
For more information, head here.
