Bob replied:

Probably good value if you use it several times a year, but if you only transit a park once you still pay full freight. Like a lot a lot of monopolies they charge it because they can. It is not as if there are several park areas competing for your custom. Monopolies do this and governments do this. The people who set the fee don't pay of course.

Mike replied:

Sandy, for once I must come to the defence of the SA parks. I also only visit the desert parks once a year, although for a week in the actual park, at a time. However, afterseeing the work done by the rangers at Innamincka, especially after the floods 2 years ago, I believe it's good value for money. As for flash buildings, the facts are, the former Australian inland Mission building was restored by the national tr

Mike replied:

Sandy, for once I must come to the defence of the SA parks. I also only visit the desert parks once a year, although for a week in the actual park, at a time. However, after seeing the work done by the rangers at Innamincka, especially after the floods 2 years ago, I believe it's good value for money. As for flash buildings, the facts are, the former Australian inland Mission building was restored by the national trust some years back, as a major historic building. I could not think of a better use for it than to house the park rangers, who do this great job under otherwise tough conditions. By the way, if you are too miserable to support this great work, then it is free to camp on the town common, or to just drive through. Keep up the brilliant work, SA Desert Parks Rangers!
Happy trails, Mike.

Steve replied:

Sandy: the $80 is the best value in Australia.. a set of maps for all the Parks, info to boggle the mind and a standard of preparation unmatched in any other State that we have visited... have a look at the set up at Dalhousie and check out the attention that this camping area gets from its local Ranger... it is outstanding and the man is a credit to the Tourist Industry... as previously mentioned miserable people probably won't enjoy visiting these areas and as fuel and beer prices are generally at least 50% higher than in the cities, you will save a fortune by staying at home

Steve

Robert replied:

Sandy, I agree, this is just a absolute rip off, what are we paying our taxes for? its a system where we pay and then
pay again and again, as to those who think the charges are okay how about sparing some thought to those who are not as
financially well off as you, for a lot of families camping is a means to actually afford a holiday not just a cheap holiday, I mean to
say $36 to camp per night, definately a money making scam.
In a lot of cases these area's are only being over developed by the govt anyway, which I'm sure they do as an excuse to say
they have to charge the public, to those of us who prefer bush camping these govt developed area's have about as much
attraction as camping at a caravan park, and unfortunately the govt as well as do most of the public these days can't see the
value in area's unless there are developed. I'm not saying that these area's don't need managing to protect them but they don't
all need to be developed to such an extent.
I think what the bottom line is - that the govt want's to prevent people camping unless they can't make revenue out it.

Kev replied:

Hi guys,it seems we've opened another hornets nest. I have a parks pass and would not complain for a second about the price as a few years ago they were $120 now only $80 and $50 for a renewal BUT CAMPING FEES are frig'en rediculous!!!! I think these fees are to keep people out to try and minimise human impact on our enviroment. in some places this is a good idea but in other places there is absolutely no need for excessive management by overeducated greenies. we already fund NPW with our tax why should we have to pay again???

Robyn replied:

Good on you Mike at least there is someone who appreciates the true bush.
Firstly if you haven't been to Innamincka maybe you shouldn't get on the band wagon. It is ALL bush camping (no over development) - long drop toilets (due to demand and to save the environment from the scurge of the toilet paper that some campers find too difficult to burn and bury).
Secondly, the restoration of the AIM building was instigated by Dick Smith with donations from Australian Geographic subscribers and other donations. Until that time the Reserve was run from VERY humble accommodation Sandy - the "Skid" shacks out the back of the AIM was where I lived for ten years and for seven of those years my partner and I voluntered for the Department, it was also the "office".
The buying of the Desert Park Pass entitles you to camping in any of the designated camping areas including Coongie but it also covers you for any of the other Desert Parks in SA and like some have said it has a wealth of information included.

John R. replied:

No argument. It's great value. It's not a license to make money as some would have us believe - it costs money just to maintain such areas. If we want these areas to be accessible for future generations we must be prepared to pay the price today. So get out there, get a life and stop bitching. As someone suggested earlier, you can save money by staying at home....

Michelle - ExplorOz replied:

Thanks Sandy for raising this one and wow what interesting responses we are getting. I must admit I've toyed with all the same thoughts at various time but the facts are that things have changed in the outback... those who have been travelling for many years/decades will appreciate this. There is no doubt that access to many areas has become easier. You no longer have to be a 'outback legend" like the Leylands or Troy Dan to get into the bush/desert/outback. This is due to the popularity of 4WD vehicles, the availability of equip and info, and therefore the ease of access to the "outback" to a broader crosssection of the community. Unfortunately this includes people who just have no idea (they're the ones on a mission, the ones who leave the toilet paper strewn about, and piss in the same place every day for 3 weeks so it stinks for the next camper etc. They are also the ones who steal the trail markers on the Simpson Desert for souvenirs. They are also the ones who insist on dragging their trailers through the mud with no care to the ruts and the traffic load that will then crush it down into bulldust and cause mayhem for others etc and the reason that road grading is required)etc. Unfortunately, everyone now pays the price of someone having to clean up after us because we aren't doing a good enough job ...enter the government. $36 is a lot to pay for one night regardless of the reasons and maybe its done for a reason. Is it thought that those that would ruin the area wouldn't pay, so setting a high price would keep them out? I think not. But lets see what response I can get from the DEH for you on this.

Michelle - ExplorOz replied:

OK everyone - the facts are that up until a few years ago you had to have a DPP pass ($80) even just to visit Coongie Lakes for a day. This created a lot of complaints and so a reduced permit was created for people that wanted to visit Coongie but didn't need to visit anywhere else. You do not need a DPP to visit Coongie but you can either pay a day permit to visit at $18 or purchase a Coongie Pass that will give you 2 days and 1 night for $36 and a pass containing a wetlands bird guide, a WestPrint Innamincka and Coongie Lakes map and other info. This pass is only sold in Innamincka. Has there been some misunderstanding on this?