Camping enthusiasts seeking a serene retreat at Bear Gully Campground were met with an unexpected sight – vacant campsites during the bustling January summer holiday period. The root of this camping conundrum? The State Government’s well-intentioned yet flawed “free camping” initiative.

As part of a $9 million investment, all 131 Parks Victoria campgrounds were opened up for free camping, aiming to encourage more people to enjoy the great outdoors. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Regular campers at Bear Gully described the situation as “pretty weird”, with an unusual number of empty sites in contrast to the usually bustling atmosphere.

The Parks Victoria website indicated fully booked sites, leading campers like Mark and Naomi Greenwood to believe they were out of luck. Despite their efforts to secure a spot in advance, they arrived to find numerous vacancies. This scenario played out not only at Bear Gully but also at other popular sites like Wilsons Promontory, where a significant number of reserved sites remained unoccupied.

While Parks Victoria celebrates a surge in campsite bookings, the actual turnout has fallen short, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the free camping program. Consumer behavior experts suggest that the lack of financial commitment may have contributed to the high number of no-shows, as booking a site without a cost incurs no penalty for not showing up.

Despite initial setbacks and criticisms from officials like Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath, campers at Bear Gully believe the program can be salvaged with better management. Suggestions include incentives for cancellations, user-friendly booking systems, and increased monitoring of no-shows by park rangers.

Amidst the camping chaos, one thing remains certain – the allure of camping at picturesque locations like Bear Gully and Wilsons Promontory is undeniable. While the free camping initiative may need fine-tuning, the love for outdoor adventures under the stars continues to shine bright in the hearts of camping enthusiasts.