‘The Great Outdoors Package’. To some this phrase may conjure an immensely dashing outdoorsman, wearing a neatly trimmed beard, an uncreased flannelette (made of natural fibres) and a methodically-organised hiking pack.
But what it actually refers to is a $107.2 million investment by the Victorian Government, with the aim of helping Victorians and visitors alike to better enjoy the outdoor world.
The really eye-catching part of it is that, since July 1, camping fees in state and national parks have been reduced by 50 per cent. On top of this there will be upgrades to 30 existing campsites and the introduction of 30 new ones, as well as improvements to walking trails.
PICTURE CREDIT: Holger Mette/Getty Images.
While ‘permanently fixed, roofed accommodation including cabins, lodges or huts’ do not benefit from the reduced fee, that matters not for our tent-based community.
Parks Victoria says that anyone who has paid full price for an advanced booking of a campsite for after July 1 will be refunded manually.