Should Australia commercialise national parks?

For many people, a trip to a national park involves loading up the car, then setting up a tent, grabbing drinks out of cooler ... and hoping you've remembered to pack the batteries for your torch.

But increasingly, a national park experience can look very different: luxury lodges, glamping, catered dining, maybe at the end of the day... a relaxing shiraz in an actual glass.

It's nature with luxury conveniences. And it's part of a growing trend that's seen national parks around the country used for permanent, private, and plush accommodation.

This week the news broke that New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service has called for expressions of interest from businesses to provide "supported camping" in 16 national parks and reserves across the state.

Details are scant, but the government says it'll be a service that provides fully set-up camping sites... for locals, and travellers from interstate and overseas.

The parks include our most iconic like Kosciuszko and the Blue Mountains.

So, is this a valuable source of revenue? Does it make our national parks more accessible? Or is this just privatising public space?

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service statement

The Government is exploring new ways for more people to enjoy our incredible network of National Parks. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) invited Expressions of Interest submission from businesses who can offer optional camping equipment hire and set up service at 23 campgrounds across 16 national parks and reserves.

We know camping gear can be a significant upfront cost for campers. Research tells us that in NSW around 10% of people have never camped before but are keen to try, drawn to travel and nature but lack the necessary equipment for a weekend camping.

By offering a service that provides fully set-up camping gear, camping can be made more accessible, encourage more people to explore the outdoors and help them gain confidence.

NPWS hopes to see many more families trying camping without having to invest in or store equipment. Supported camping will also allow travellers from interstate and overseas opportunities to camp, without having to bring all their gear with them, which is often impractical.

Camping support services may include tent or caravan hire and or setup, equipment and bedding hire, and optional food and related offerings.

Supported camping will operate side by side existing campsites. All campgrounds will remain open to the public, there will not be exclusive use of any campsite by a private operator.

There are restrictions on the number of sites that can be used (in many locations the limit is two to five) and there are also some restrictions on timing (eg. not during school holidays).

Having a variety of businesses operating within national parks is not new and has been occurring since 2009. Private businesses already offer guided tours and equipment hire, which sometimes include supported camping.

There are currently 383 licensed operators. They book less than 1% of overnight stays and most of them are for school children participating in outdoor education programs.

Revenue from this service is expected to be minimal (less than $30,000 per year) for national parks. Since 2023, NPWS has invested $42 million to upgrade, expand and build new campgrounds, including 18 new campgrounds and 36 upgrades.