If you've tried booking a popular NSW campground lately — The Basin over a long weekend, Depot Beach during school holidays, Euroka on a sunny Saturday — you already know how competitive it is. Sites sell out fast, cancellations vanish in minutes, and planning a camping trip can feel like a second job.
Now there's a new factor in the mix. The NSW Government is trialling "supported camping" at 23 campgrounds across 16 national parks, allowing private operators to set up pre-pitched tents, hire out gear, and sell food packages at some of the state's most in-demand campsites. The idea is to make camping accessible to people who've never done it before. But for campers who already compete for every available site, there are real questions about what this means for availability.
Here's what you need to know.
What is supported camping?#
Supported camping is an NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) trial that would let licensed commercial operators offer camping services inside national park campgrounds. Think pre-pitched tents with bedding, cooking equipment hire, and optional meal packages — essentially a turnkey camping experience for people who don't own gear or aren't confident setting up themselves.
NPWS says the trial responds to genuine demand. Research published by Instinct and Reason in 2023 found that 10% of adults in NSW have never camped but want to try, 15% say having gear set up for them is essential, and 49% would be more likely to choose a campground that offers equipment hire.
Operators would receive licences under the Parks Eco Pass programme for up to six years (three years plus a three-year extension). No permanent structures — no glamping pods or safari tents. Everything is temporary and removable.
Which campgrounds are on the supported camping list?#
The trial covers 23 campgrounds across 16 national parks and reserves. That's roughly 6% of the 365-plus campgrounds in the NSW national parks system.
The parks confirmed so far include:
- Blue Mountains National Park — Euroka campground
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park — The Basin campground
- Murramarang National Park — Depot Beach campground
- Wollemi National Park — Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp campground
- Bouddi National Park — Putty Beach campground, Little Beach campground
- Kosciuszko National Park
- Killalea State Park — Killalea campground
- Mimosa Rocks National Park
- Booti Booti National Park
- Dharug National Park
- Warrumbungle National Park
NPWS has not published the full list of all 23 campgrounds, but reporting from multiple outlets confirms the parks above. Several of these — Euroka, The Basin, Depot Beach, Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, Putty Beach, Little Beach, and Killalea — are among the most popular campgrounds in NSW and are monitored by CampWatch for cancellation alerts.
At Putty Beach, two of the 20 campsites would become supported camping sites. At Ruins campground on the mid-north coast, up to five of 98 sites would be allocated. NPWS says each campground would have a limit of two to five supported camping sites, and no campground would be exclusively used by an operator.
What changes for regular campers?#
This is where it gets complicated.
Operators can book 12 months ahead. You get six. Under the current system, public bookings for NSW campgrounds open roughly six months in advance. Licensed supported camping operators would be able to reserve their allocated sites up to 12 months ahead — double the lead time regular campers get.
At campgrounds that already sell out within hours of bookings opening, that six-month head start is significant. Those two sites at Putty Beach, for example, would be locked in before regular campers even have access to the booking calendar.
No price cap on what operators charge. Operators set their own pricing for the supported camping experience. NPWS has not confirmed whether prices will be capped. During a NSW Budget Estimates hearing, Coalition environment spokeswoman Jacqui Munro repeatedly asked Environment Minister Penny Sharpe whether pricing would be limited — and didn't get a clear answer.
Licence fees for operators are modest: $830 to $1,245 per year, plus a 5–10% turnover contribution depending on park popularity.
Operators are exempt from park entry fees. Regular campers pay vehicle entry fees at parks like Ku-ring-gai Chase and Kosciuszko. Operators providing supported camping services would be exempt.
The case for and against#
The accessibility argument has merit. Camping equipment is expensive. A decent tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, and a camp setup can easily cost $500–$1,000 for a family. For someone curious about camping but uncertain, that's a steep barrier. Supported camping could bring genuine first-timers into national parks — and the flow-on spending in regional towns is a real economic benefit.
The availability concern is also real. NSW national parks recorded 1.8 million overnight stays across 365 campgrounds in 2023–24, with visitation growing 49% over the past decade. Popular campgrounds are under pressure. At The Basin, Depot Beach, and Euroka, weekend bookings regularly sell out within hours.
Critics have been blunt. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called the plan "gobsmacking hypocrisy from a government that said it was opposed to privatisation." Greens environment spokesperson Sue Higginson branded it "flawed and dreadfully misleading," arguing that the real solution is building more campgrounds rather than carving up existing ones. Wilderness advocate Michael Atkinson warned that advance booking access could "encourage these commercial operators to ghost book our campsites."
Where it stands right now#
Expressions of interest closed on 28 October 2025. NPWS originally expected to announce decisions in February 2026, with operators beginning services from March 2026.
As of March 2026, no decisions have been made. A Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokesperson confirmed the EOIs are "currently being assessed." The timeline appears to have slipped, though NPWS hasn't announced a revised date.
What you can do#
Whether you're for or against supported camping, the practical reality is that booking competition at popular campgrounds isn't going away.
Book early. If your target campground is on the supported camping list, book as soon as the six-month window opens. Don't assume sites will be available later.
Set up a CampWatch alert. Several of the campgrounds on the supported camping list — including The Basin, Euroka, Depot Beach, Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, Putty Beach, and Killalea — are monitored by CampWatch. If someone cancels, you'll get a text with a direct booking link. Set up a free alert here.
Watch for updates. NPWS will announce outcomes on the NSW National Parks website. When decisions are made, we'll update this article.
Seen a campground you want but the dates are gone?
CampWatch monitors popular campgrounds across Australia around the clock and texts you when the dates you want reopen.
No app. No account. Just your phone number.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Will supported camping reduce the number of available campsites?
NPWS says total campground capacity won't change — the same number of sites will exist. However, two to five sites per campground would be bookable only through operators during peak periods, reducing the pool available through the standard public booking system.
Can private operators charge whatever they want?
As of March 2026, NPWS has not confirmed a price cap on supported camping services. Operators set their own rates. Licence fees paid to NPWS are modest ($830–$1,245 per year), so the pricing pressure on operators is minimal.
How far in advance can operators book compared to regular campers?
Operators can book their allocated sites up to 12 months in advance. Regular campers can book approximately six months ahead through the standard NSW Parks booking system.
Is this happening at all NSW national park campgrounds?
No. The trial covers 23 campgrounds across 16 parks — about 6% of the 365-plus campgrounds in the NSW system. The remaining 94% of campgrounds are unaffected.