NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Instead of promoting staying outdoor and enjoying the nature, they render it inaccessible... Excessive camping booking fees. Only 50% refund with 30 days notice, no refund with 14 days notice. No possibility to use the annual pass you own on a rental vehicle (for example we have the pass but for one holiday we rented a campervan) or to move it between two cars. Trails closed for maintenance for over a year...

My husband, my adult daughter and granddaughter had a delightful time at the Nature Reserve doing two walks. The wildflowers were beautiful as were the views over the Hawkesbury. We have lived in the area for several years and this was our first visit and we were thrilled. There were several friendly helpful attendants around to talk with you and to guide you.The only negative was the cost ($35) which we thought was excessive, particularly with local national parks nearby costing $11 with several walks, etc.

The Eurobodalla area Narooma Parks and Batemans Bay Marine Park offices are struggling with low staff levels caused by Covid and other reasons. It is very difficult to make telephone contact.The Marine park line is not answered and has no message facility. The Narooma NSW Parks Office do get back to voice messages but there’s a bit of a delay - When they do though they’re really helpful.

Drop booking system unless you not only refund but punish people that book but don't turn up and don't cancel. Look at Ningaloo NP in WA for the frustration, anger and dysfunction it creates. If forced to book, people book months and often years ahead but never cancel. So you end up with campgrounds that are constantly fully booked on paper but if you check on the day lots of spots are not taken and campgrounds are totally underutilized while lots of travellers who can't book months ahead, especially in Covid times, don't get a spot. IT DOES NOT WORK UNLESS YOU CHARGE A HIGH BOOKING FEE THAT IS FULLY REFUNDED UNTIL A DAY PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. ONLY THEN PEOPLE WILL HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO CANCEL. IT IS A NO - BRAINER.

The worst State National Park Service in Australia - and I have visited National Parks in every state so that's not just a wild unfounded statement. They charge an arm and a leg for entry fees and annual passes but it would appear the majority of that money goes to installing ticket booths and paying rangers to fine non compliant people. The money doesn't go to maintaining the parks unless you count closing it, parking a bobcat at the entrance then leaving it for 6-9 months. The more parks that are closed, the less money they need to allocate for upkeep and so long as the money keeps rolling in from the annual passes why would they bother reopening them. Queensland probably has the best National Park Service in Australia, the other states are all fairly comparable but NSW is so far below them it's not funny. I've seen better Park management in rural Africa than I have in NSW.

Parks are awesome. Getting help from anyone in the office regarding their flawed online system for annual passes is another story. The sheer arrogance, rudeness along with their inability to understand their own system is breathtaking. I guess they live in a world knowing that the customer cannot buy a pass elsewhere. What a rabble.

I had a great stay on all the national park I've stayed last week (Myalls Lake, Limbeburners, Crowdy Head). However, I'm definitely not happy about the price I've paid in all the parks. Because I am a solo traveller, I think it is totally unfair to pay a minimum price of two person per night. I don't understand why this rule is in place. So basically If you are a single traveler, you are completely disadvantaged. It is like saying don't come to sleep here because you are alone. I would even call it discriminatory. The NSW National park should definitely change this rule.

Truly disappointing treatment from NPWS - Accidentally stayed past the closing time at Rouse Regional Park. The new automatic gates closed and locked me in. Totally my fault, I didn't noticed time had changed from 8pm to 5pm winter times. Yes there's signage - mistakes happen. However this is where it went pear shaped.I called NPWS, was told we can let you out but there will be a fine, how much is the fine? they couldn't tell me. I searched online and found no official information on these fines, however there was information on multiple sites from campers in NSW that the fine for trepassing in NSW parks ranges from $3300 to $5500, also many complaining how hard it is get this information. After 4 calls to the after-hours line they couldn't confirm or deny the fine amount when told it may be up to $5,500, you'll just have to wait for the letter"

Untouched and picturesque place to visit, highly recommended. Only open six weekends a year in spring for a donation to the NPWS

I'm a long term fan with an all parks pass. The parks - amazing. Camping - delightful. Trying to obtain a seniors' annual pass for my dad who also loves national parks and camping? Literally impossible.Service NSW no longer provide physical rego papers (just the reminder letter) but these guys require the physical papers to register a seniors' annual pass. Kafkaesque. I called the service" centre and the deeply unhelpful staff member told me "too bad"