Victoria’s free camping scheme will come to an end on July 1, 2025. 

Introduced in late 2024 to help ease cost-of-living pressures and boost regional tourism, the initiative offered free access to a range of public campgrounds across the state. However, it was quickly inundated by ghost bookings, overcrowding, and increased rubbish and site damage. 

“From 1 July 2025, the Victorian Government is investing $10.5 million to keep camping fees at half price at Parks Victoria campgrounds across the state for another two years” – Parks Victoria

A main issue for its closure has been a rise in campsite bookings that were never used, leading to empty sites despite full reservation lists. This problem, referred to as “ghost camping,” has meant 4x4ers and campers have been turned away despite many sites being empty. This lack of accountability in the booking system has drawn criticism from users and highlighted the need for better management practices.

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The scheme also created pressure on local tourism infrastructure. It was designed to encourage travel to regional areas, but it placed strain on nearby services and businesses competing with government-funded options. Additionally, maintaining the campgrounds and managing the increased usage required significant public funding.

The Victorian Government allocated $9 million to support the scheme, including funds for site maintenance and operations. Despite the investment, the long-term sustainability of free access has come into question, particularly as demand increased without adequate systems in place to manage bookings and usage.

Reports indicate the government is considering new measures to address these concerns, including introducing refundable booking deposits, applying peak season fees, and penalising no-shows. These steps aim to make the system more efficient while still supporting accessible camping.

For 4×4 adventurers who rely on public campsites as staging points for off-road travel, the end of the free camping trial means a return to paid bookings and more structured trip planning. Updates to booking policies and site fees will be available through Parks Victoria.

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