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15 December, 2022

Parks Pass: NT to make tourists pay to visit swimming spots and parks

Visitors to the Northern Territory will have to prepare to fork over some cash as the NT Government plans to introduce fees for select swimming spots and parks.

Locals will be exempt from the pay-to-visit scheme, which will be implemented on 3 April 2023.

But international and interstate travellers will have to fork over $25 if they want to check out some of the Northern Territory’s most popular swimming spots, including Edith Falls, Litchfield and Mataranka hot springs.

This new scheme is called a Parks Pass, and will offer day passes, two-week passes and an open pass with prices varying for individuals and families. The fees will be reinvested into the “protection, maintenance and safety of our parks and the creation of new visitor experiences,” according to parks and wildlife executive director Sally Egan.

Travellers will still have to pay camping and walking fees in addition to the Parks Pass.

“Nothing at the moment that we are hearing or seeing is suggesting that people will have a real problem and it would stop them coming to the Northern Territory,” Egan told the ABC.

Manuel Pamkal, a tourism operator in the Katherine region and Dalabon man, said he worries that asking tourists to pay extra could deter them.

“It’s not fair … when families come it costs them lots of money,” he said.

“We all know that fuel prices have gone up, food, and they are already paying money for camping … I think swimming should be free.”

However, Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford said the Pass could benefit the Northern Territory, if the revenue was spent correctly.

The government expects the scheme to bring in $7 million when combined with camping and hiking fees, which Rochford said would be significant for national parks.

“No-one likes to see an increase in charges,” Rochford said.

“But as we invest in our national parks, and these monies flow through to more rangers, better infrastructure and more services, that can only make the proposition to visit the Northern Territory, a better one.”

You can find the full list of government-managed parks and reserves across the NT HERE.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Edith Falls Litchfield Manuel Pamkal Mataranka hot springs northern territory Parks Pass Sally Egan Tourism Central Australia