Bittangabee campground in the Green Cape area of soon-to-be-renamed Ben Boyd National Park will not be available for bookings from April 26 - June 30, 2022.
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A spokesperson from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said planning and design is currently underway to upgrade the camping area with works intended to "improve visitor access, upgrade existing campground facilities and create additional walk-in camping opportunities for Light to Light Walk walkers".
The campground is a stop on the renowned multi-day Light to Light walk and attracts high numbers of visitors.
NPWS stated the work had been scheduled to make sure the campground was open during the peak summer holiday and Easter school holiday periods.
"Other popular NPWS camping sites on the coast will remain open during this period including Saltwater Creek and Hobart Beach campground in Bournda National Park," the spokesperson said.
NPWS was experiencing high demand for camping and accommodation bookings since COVID restrictions eased.
Co-owner of Sapphire Coast Guiding Co, Cam Read is a tourism operator within the national park and said he hadn't received any official word about Bittangabee campground being closed to bookings for that period, despite NPWS being able to see his booking schedule.
"It's disappointing we weren't advised as an eco-pass holder and an operator within the park, obviously it does affect our planning," Mr Read said,
According to Mr Read, a similar incident occurred last year when NPWS was undertaking feral animal management and his bookings needed to be cancelled.
He said he believed NPWS may be working on setting up a tour operator bookings portal, but he doesn't know who is being consulted.
"In the past communication has been poor. We are still trying to claw our way back from COVID losses," he said.
Some of the most popular camping sites in Ben Boyd National Park such as Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay are booked out through December and January, but there is still some availability in February and visitors should check availability to book via the NPWS website.
NPWS said there was also accommodation available at Green Cape Lighthouse if visitors prefer not to camp but would like to stay overnight in a historic building.
The NPWS spokesperson said it was anticipated construction at Bittangabee campground will commence in late April 2022.
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Leah Szanto
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
