I'm in a few frames of mind on this.
For a few years now we go camping down at the Coorong over Christmas. In 2014 we rocked up, found a spot we liked, filled in the paperwork and deposited our cash in the box provided, and that was that. In 2015 we attempted to replicate our experience, only this time we were confronted at the gate by signs telling us that we had to book online? This was news to me. I didn't bother visiting the website as I knew where I wanted to go, how to get there, and what to expect. Or so I thought. We drove around Parnka Point, earmarked a few choice spots, and then had to head back to the main drag to pick up a signal to book on the phone. Sure enough, the National Parks website doesn't perform very well on an iPhone with patchy coverage but we got there in the end. Later that day a German couple arrives in their campervan, keen to pay for the privilege too. They have cash but no mobile data.
On neither occasion did I see a ranger.
I think it can take the joy out of rocking up someplace at the end of the day and setting up camp. My collague, Ben,
wrote of his experiences and thoughts too, and it resulted in quite a bit of debate on the blog.
That all said, it's about managing the assets, isn't it? Knowing how many people are going to be in any one place at one time? This allows them to make decisions on when the rangers should patrol, clean the toilets, etc. Also, eliminating people rocking up to find the campground full. (Though, that's part of camping in my eyes.)
In New Zealand they only have a
book first policy for the Great Walks - the most popular hikes that have limited facilities and need to control the number of visitors at any one time. All the other tracks and huts operate on a first come, first serve basis. Twenty people rock up at a 10 bunk hut? You make it a cosy night. That said, you don't pay for these facilities with cash on the day. You buy tickets ahead of time and deposit them at the hut (or with the warden should there be one) or you buy a 6- or 12-monthly pass.
My main gripe with the current situation in SA is the fact that
the technology doesn't work very well and there is no redundancy, apart from just rocking up and not paying I suppose.
Crazy keen tramper / trekker / hiker. Former South Australian. Now, exploring the tracks around Melbourne and Victoria.