If you're planning a NSW national parks camping trip in 2026, don't assume the six-tier fee table that circulated during the 2025 consultation is the price you'll pay.
NPWS proposed a major overhaul of camping fees and bookings, including six pricing tiers, removal of some booking and extra-person fees, and more generous cancellation refunds. But as of 22 September 2026, the NSW Government's official project page still describes those measures as proposed. It says consultation feedback is being considered and that updates on any changes will be published there.
Check current pricing before you book: use the official NPWS camping and accommodation pages for the campground you want. For the policy itself, see the NSW Government's Improving camping in NSW national parks page.
What NPWS proposed#
The 2025 consultation proposed moving from campground-by-campground pricing to a standardised six-tier system based on facilities and seasonal demand.
The consultation paper proposed the following rates:
| Tier | Facilities | Proposed low season | Proposed high season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vehicle or walk-in access | Free | Free |
| 2 | Pit toilet | $13 | $22 |
| 3 | Tables and barbecue | $20 | $36 |
| 4 | Shelters | $28 | $54 |
| 5 | Flush toilet and cold shower | $38 | $65 |
| 6 | Hot shower | $54 | $89 |
The facilities are cumulative: each tier adds to the facilities listed for the previous tier. These figures are useful for understanding the proposal, not as a current statewide fee schedule.
The proposal also included removing booking and extra-person fees and providing refunds of up to 80% in some cancellation windows. Those changes should likewise not be described as current policy unless NPWS confirms implementation.
Did the new system start on 1 July 2026?#
No official source we checked confirms that it did.
The NSW Government's current project page says NPWS is developing a submissions report, that feedback will be considered before next steps are made, and that updates on any changes to camping fees will be provided on that page.
Live NPWS campground pages also continue to show arrangements inconsistent with a completed statewide rollout. For example, the current Benerembah campgrounds page says there are no camping fees but a $6 booking fee applies, and bookings are required — directly contradicting the idea that booking fees were universally removed from 1 July.
The safest approach is therefore to treat the six-tier structure as a proposal until NPWS publishes an implementation announcement or updated statewide fee schedule.
How much will your favourite campground cost?#
Check the individual campground's NPWS page or booking flow. Current fees can differ between locations and may change over time.
Do not infer a campground's price tier from its facilities. The earlier version of this article estimated likely tiers for campgrounds including Trial Bay Gaol, Depot Beach, Woody Head, Diamond Head, Point Plomer and others; those estimates have been removed because NPWS has not published a final tier assignment confirming them.
What the proposed cancellation changes were trying to fix#
NPWS's consultation specifically highlighted persistent problems such as people booking campsites and then not cancelling or turning up — often called ghost bookings.
The proposed changes included simpler bookings and refunds of up to 80% in some circumstances, intended to make it more worthwhile for campers to release sites they no longer need.
That policy rationale remains useful context, but travellers should check the cancellation terms shown during their actual booking rather than relying on the proposed refund table.
What applies now#
Because there has not been a confirmed statewide rollout announcement, use the live NPWS information for each booking:
- Camping fee: check the specific campground page and booking flow.
- Booking fee: do not assume it has been abolished statewide; some current campground pages still show one.
- Extra-person fees: check the booking terms for the campground rather than assuming they have disappeared.
- Cancellation refunds: use the current cancellation policy presented by NPWS when booking.
- Park entry fees: these remain separate where applicable; check the NSW Parks passes and fees page.
How to camp smart while the policy is unresolved#
Use the live price, not the proposal. The amount shown in the NPWS booking flow is what matters for your trip.
Check cancellation terms before paying. Don't assume the consultation's proposed refund percentages apply to your booking.
Watch for cancellations at popular campgrounds. Regardless of the final fee policy, released bookings can create new availability at sold-out campgrounds.
CampWatch monitors supported campgrounds and can notify you when matching availability appears.
The bottom line on NSW national parks camping fees 2026#
The six-tier NSW national parks camping fee system was a proposal, not a confirmed 1 July 2026 rollout. As of 22 September 2026, the NSW Government still says consultation feedback is being considered and that future changes will be announced on the official project page.
Until NPWS publishes a confirmed implementation, disregard claims that all NSW national park campgrounds now use the proposed free-to-$89 tier system, that booking fees have universally disappeared, or that the proposed refund policy applies statewide.
Check the NPWS camping and accommodation page for current campground pricing and the official consultation/project page for any future policy announcement.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to camp in NSW national parks?
There is no single statewide 2026 rate. Fees vary by campground and the live NPWS booking page is the source of truth. A six-tier system ranging from free to $89 per night was proposed in the 2025 consultation, but as of 22 September 2026 the NSW Government has not announced that proposal as implemented.
When do the new NSW camping fees start?
No implementation date is currently confirmed on the NSW Government's official consultation page. The six-tier system was a proposal; the page says feedback is being considered and updates on any changes will be published there.
Will any NSW campgrounds get cheaper?
That was one possible outcome under the 2025 proposal, particularly for basic campgrounds, but it should not be treated as current pricing. Check the relevant campground's NPWS page for the fee that applies now.
What is a ghost booking?
A ghost booking is a campsite reservation that is held but not used. NPWS cited ghost bookings as one reason for consulting on changes to booking, cancellation and refund arrangements.