A new online booking system for entry, camping and accommodation is being rolled out in South Australia’s national parks.
Families wishing to visit Innes National Park or Mount Remarkable National Park can go to the Parks SA website (www.parks.sa.gov.au) to pay park entry fees, choose a campsite, book and pay for camping or accommodation.
The system is currently being tested in these parks and will be rolled out across the state to other parks for entry, camping, accommodation, and park facilities such as tennis courts, dive permits and tours. The new system brings South Australian parks booking facilities in line with interstate and international parks to cater for visitors who want to book online.
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Director Regional Coordination Grant Pelton said that the system would make visiting parks easier and fairer.
“Many of our visitors want to plan and book ahead of their parks visit and not worry about carrying the right cash for park entry,” Mr Pelton said. “The new system makes it possible for visitors to pay for park entry and choose their own campsite. This is particularly important for campers as we’ve had issues with some visitors setting up camp well before long weekends to stake their claim, leaving their tents in the park and then returning for the weekend. Online booking is fairer as it allows one person only to legitimately book each camping spot.”
Mr Pelton said the system would also stop vandalism and theft at on-site cash payment stands.
Cash payments are no longer available at Innes National Park and Mount Remarkable National Park. Visitors who don’t have access to a credit card, computer or smart phone will soon be able to visit agents in towns surrounding parks to make payment.
Several local businesses in Minlaton, Marion Bay, Wilmington, Melrose, Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Augusta are willing to be agents. These businesses will be identified by a sign and will take cash payments and make bookings for visitors
“We understand that it will take some time for people to learn about the changes,” Mr Pelton said. “To that end we’re not going to be heavy handed with compliance as we continue to get information to the community about the system. “If there is a genuine reason why someone can’t pay online then we would ask them to remember for next time, rather than issue a fine.
Like all new systems, some issues may arise as this new booking system is rolled out. Patience of park visitors using the system is appreciated as National Parks SA work to develop and improve it.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the National Parks SA website here.
Please send any feedback via email to DEWNR.OnlineBookings@sa.gov.au.
What: National Parks SA – New Online Booking System
When: from 1 August 2014
Where: Currently for Innes National Park or Mount Remarkable National Park
Who: All Visitors
All Images of Innes National Park supplied by DEWNR
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Online Camping Booking Only…..seriously…..who comes up with these ideas ???
On the way home from Port Broughton, S.A. I decided to spend a night at Mt Remarkable/Mambray Creek until I seen this sign asking payment via online service only. This is becoming the norm It seems, having unplanned short notice access to many of our Parks for the travelling tourist is now becoming a thing of the past. The pre-book online system effectively puts a stop to the road weary and opportunistic camping traveller using the Park/s. Without internet coverage the nearest place to obtain a Park Pass at Mt Remarkable/Mambray Creek was over an hour return trip to Pt Germein. Pre-booking online means you have to use your online booking even if the weather turns adverse or some other unforeseen events makes it difficult.
Myself and other campers/photographer/tourists from interstate I communicate with are also greatly dismayed with this style of system enforced in their regions as well. In my wide experience of visiting various National Parks in S.A. and elsewhere I can see no sense or genuine reason for this odd ruling. Surely it has an effect in terms of numbers of people turning away from potential camping stays on the fly simply because they are unable to pay, despite usually many vacant sites available. Many elderly tourists/Grey Nomads have either no internet devices or limited understanding of its use, or in the case of Mt Remarkable/Mambray Creek no internet coverage nearby in order to purchase a pass online.
The system as is sees a lot of empty sites because not many book online. Surely it would raise more revenue if more sites are full most of the time. Whatever happened to convenient pay stations on site, they work fine, fees are paid instantly, it’s easy, select a site, first in first served………everyone’s happy. And/Or a Friendly Ranger passing through on their usual rounds ,and as part of that normal round be able to issue Passes if necessary, and good PR as well. There is a Ranger depot next to the Mt Remarkable/Mambray Creek, surely it takes very little to keep tabs on who has paid or not in the area ? But as is, myself and others turn away unable to pay and lots of site stay empty…..really silly !