CARAVANNERS and other travellers are being provided with new and
affordable short-term camping on Perth's doorstep.
They will be able to stay for up to seven nights in the city's most
popular national park when the one-year trial gets underway next month.
A solar-powered boom gate has already been installed near the Henry White
Oval in the Department of Parks and Wildlife-managed Yanchep National
Park.
The toilet block has been upgraded and will now offer hot water showers
and flushing toilets, with plans for camp kitchens, BBQs and extra toilet
facilities if the trial is successful.
There will be 20 campsites, 10 on bitumen for caravans or campervans and
the same number on the oval for tents.
Environment Minister Albert Jacob said more than 320,000 people visited
the park each year to enjoy its natural environment and recreational
opportunities.
"This trial will help to determine the demand and the type of camping
facilities that campers expect in an area like Yanchep," he said.
"There is already one small walk-in campsite in the north-western section
of the park and now that option will be expanded to accommodate caravans,
campervans, camper trailers and tents.
"I hope many people who want to experience camping will try it at Yanchep,
and be encouraged through camping to explore more of Western Australia's
wonderful environment."
The Minister said the trial was part of the Parks for People initiative
aimed at increasing the number of affordable camping options within the
State's spectacular natural areas.
Visitors will be able to book campsites online and receive a code for the
campsite entry gate for when they arrive. It will activate automatically
when they leave.
Camping fees during the trial will be $10 a night for adults, $6.60 for
concession holders and $2.20 for children aged six to 15 years.
Children under six will be free.
All fees collected will be invested back into the park.