A new online booking system for campsites along Western Australia’s World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast will undergo review after it repeatedly crashed within moments of going live, drawing widespread criticism from users who struggled to secure reservations.
The updated system was introduced to create fairer access to some of the region’s most sought-after campsites, but many campers reported significant technical issues as the website buckled under heavy traffic, according to an article by ABC News.
The previous system released bookings daily at midnight for a rolling six-month period. Under the new trial, campsites are instead released at 10am on the first Tuesday of each month for the same six-month window.
The changes apply to sites managed by the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) across Cape Range National Park, Nyinggulara National Park and the Nyinggulu Coastal Reserves, all located along the iconic Ningaloo Coast.
Tourists from across Australia travel to the region each year to camp near its turquoise waters and renowned coral reef.
Long-time camper Greg Murphy said the system failed on both of his attempts to book, including once while entering his credit card details.
He described the system as “a nightmare” and said sites were only available on non-consecutive nights, prompting him to consider booking through commercial operators instead.
Mr Murphy added that the new approach did not address the persistent issue of campers failing to show up for their bookings. “It costs you $10 per person per day, so if they don’t front up, what does it matter?” he said.
Busselton retiree David Wall eventually secured a booking after multiple attempts on the first day of the trial but described the experience as frustrating.
“There was a day here or a day there, but there was certainly nothing for a period of a week, so it certainly was a bit diabolical,” he said.
“The old system certainly had flaws because people don’t like sitting up at midnight … but you can plan your holiday,” he said.
He also questioned the 10am release time, suggesting it disadvantaged working people. “For the people who are working, why not make it 7pm?”
DBCA assistant director of visitor services Rod Annear said the changes were designed to give campers a fairer opportunity during peak demand periods.
Parks and Wildlife Visitors Services’ Danielle Ayres explained the shift from midnight to 10am was intended to align with industry standards and provide a more accessible time for Australians. She acknowledged a payment-stage “glitch” and said, “Some did have to attempt the payment process a couple of times so we appreciate that was inconvenient and we apologise and thank them for their patience,” she told ABC Regional Drive.
“Our aim is to make it as fair and equitable as we can for everyone and we knew that there was going to be long wait times for this release.”
Of the 5,500 people who entered the queue, 2,000 bookings were made in the first 24 hours for 550 campsites, with officials suspecting many others were blocked by website capacity limits.
The department said it would continue refining the system before the next release, with bookings for stays through September set to open March 3.
The outcome of this review is critical for the outdoor recreation sector, as reliable access to high-demand coastal campsites directly influences travel planning, regional tourism flow and camper confidence in Western Australia’s premier outdoor destinations.