NPWS camping facilities

Yes I know there are some but for a large part you are still all crammed together in copper log apartments

Motherhen I have no issue with paying, happy to pay if I get what I want
We camped on a number of private stations and paid at least the same or usually more per night and were happy to do so
My beef is with the basic model in which these parks are set up on, they should look at the Likes of Trilby station etc to see what a quality setup looks like. They have not gone to anymore expense just exercised some common sense to provide an ideal campsite location

I don't want to drive thousands of kilometres to our remote desert locations only to be expected to camp shoulder to shoulder with fellow travellers

Alby

I think it is difficult to compare National Parks to places like Trilby.

Liz has set-up a (wonderful) tourism business, which is quite different to the reasons they set-up National Parks. National Parks are usually acquired and established to protect something in the area, whether it be flora and fauna, aboriginal heritage, water catchment, and perhaps many other things.

They aren’t a tourism enterprise and tourism is not the main game in National Parks. But they seem to integrate tourism in a minimalistic way to enable people to visit and enjoy the area.

And whilst I am hearing your concerns I’m sure there will be many that prefer it the way it currently is. Many who access these parks do so on foot and see vehicles as an imposition, not a view I share as for many this is the only way some people can escape to the bush. Although I spend a lot of time on foot in National Parks, most weekends in fact.

On deserts, I’ve found that in remote desert locations there are plenty of places to camp that are not cheek to jowl. Not long ago we spent 5-weeks across the Western Deserts and didn’t see anyone for days…

Cheers, Baz – The Landy

I agree with you Baz and Liz has done a wonderful job at Trilby and that is my point
I don't think anyone could accuse them of any form of environmental vandalism of any kind but a perfect example of how the parks could be run, they have not invested any more money in their camping area infrastructure than what NPWS do but are certainly a much more inviting place to be.
I suspect it is because of the hardcore environmentalists on the political side if the area a as to why it is what it is
Speaking with aTibooburra local last week about this and she said the local National parks office tried to change things in the local area for the better but it was all squashed by head office in Sydney

Maybe if we could have a form (complaints / good ideas) on line with a bunch of contact points for each state.
We could each then fill it in and send it off.
Im sure after some time someone will start recognising that there is a problem, once they start getting inundated with complaints.
The form could also be sent to our respective members for them to respond back to us.
If we all complain on this site only we will not get heard.
Just a thought.

Aby

I don’t think it is about environmental vandalism. Many parks are designed to protect eco-systems and the like for a variety of reason, mind you I don’t want to debate the merit for or against, but to highlight the aim isn’t necessarily tourism.

Trilby is a great example of what can be achieved, if that is the aim. But it can’t be compared to National Parks.

But talking about environmental vandalism, perhaps we can be our own worst enemy at times. On our recent tour we stopped off at the Minkie WH in the Innamincka Regional Reserve, a lovely spot by the Cooper River. Unfortunately it was littered with toilet paper and other rubbish; this will eventually find its way into the creek and downstream polluting this wonderful eco-system.

Despite it being a harsh environment, it is also fragile, so with access there is a responsibility, and unfortunately those who do not do the right thing provide basis for arguing against allowing people access to these areas.

Mind you, I don’t want to turn this into another “confetti in the outback” thread, but highlight issues that give rise to locking gates.

Cheers, Baz

Without leaning one way or the other, as this is a complex issue, we also recently visited Innamincka and were horrified to find toilet paper everywhere, even though long-drop toilets were provided. Campers had also hacked down branches of trees for firewood and the debris was everywhere around the site. I do think the authorities sometimes overstep the mark but we really don't do ourselves any favours with this ratbag behaviour. Awful.

I agree with you in theory but let's get this in perspective. I am not talking above clearing vast areas of land I am saying rather than the camp spots being huddled up together there is perhaps 20 odd metres of natural bush land between smaller camping spaces. Sure have a policy of no burning of park firewood (bring your own firewood) and I am not saying either to make more camping areas to accommodate more people just manage the designated camping numbers in a better way

I hear the argument about toilet paper litter etc and agree we don't do ourselves any favours with this bad behaviour but that is a separate issue all together