Aussies face $322 fine after rise in 'annoying' camping trend

Ghost camping is now a finable offence in Queensland and rangers will be monitoring campsites to enforce the new rule.

A busy camp site overlooking the water (left) and a woman and man standing beside a tent and campsite setup (right).
Ghost camping is now a finable offence in Queensland. Source: Getty/Parks Queensland

With more and more Aussies going on camping trips, there is mounting pressure on campsites around the country to provide accommodation and find solutions to 'ghost camping' — the act of booking up valuable campsite space without the intention of actually using it.

One state is leading the charge in its attempt to manage the issue, with Queensland's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) now making it a finable offence for those campers caught doing it.

"It is now an offence to not attend a booked campsite or to put up tents and leave them unattended for more than 24 hours without a reasonable excuse, such as in an emergency," a DESI spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.

The DESI has rolled out the change as the ongoing issue has been "depriving genuine campers the opportunity to enjoy" national parks within the state. Since it was introduced last month, rangers have been monitoring campsites and ensuring campers are complying with it.

"Queensland's national parks are home to some of the most iconic and unique campsites in the world which all campers should be able to enjoy," the spokesperson said.

After the DESI amended its regulations on the management of recreational areas, campers in Queensland will now cop on-the-spot fine of $322.60 and a maximum fine of $3,226 as well as possible court proceedings.

Campsite space is often booked this way to deter tourists from coming to a specific area or in attempt to stop over-crowded, overly busy campsites. Some simply do it to stop others from getting the space then don't turn up themselves.

One Aussie family travelling around the country told Yahoo News previously ghost camping "impacted our whole trip" and were forced to book campsites months in advance to simply secure accommodation. Another avid camper called the growing trend of ghost camping "annoying".

"This regulation means people booking campsites and setting up equipment to exclude other campers will now run the risk of being fined and having their camping permits cancelled," the DESI spokesperson said.

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