Displacing Independent Access and Creating Inequality
Luxury tourism developments in national parks are fundamentally reshaping who can access and enjoy Australia’s natural heritage. A striking example is the new 42km, four-day hiking trail in the Tweed Byron Hinterland, where it costs approximately $173 just to camp along the route. While parks authorities justify these fees as necessary for operational costs, many hikers have expressed shock at what they describe as “bloody expensive” rates for basic camping facilities.
This reflects a broader shift in how we treat access to protected areas—from a public right to a commodified experience. When traditional campsites are replaced with private lodges charging over $1,000 per night, those unable to afford luxury pricing are effectively shut out. Our national parks risk becoming gated retreats for the affluent, rather than inclusive spaces for all Australians.
Eroding the Wilderness Experience
Luxury developments don’t just exclude—they also transform. The essence of wilderness experiences—solitude, challenge, self-reliance, and deep connection with the natural world—is fundamentally diminished by high-end infrastructure. As one critic noted of the Falls to Hotham development, these projects cater to “a demographic unable to escape into nature without electricity, hot showers, warm beds, wine, and someone to rub their feet at night.”
To appeal to this market, backcountry trails must be reengineered: technical terrain is softened, natural challenges removed, and ruggedness replaced with comfort. The result is a curated version of nature that prioritises convenience over authenticity—yet it’s precisely the unfiltered, immersive experiences that foster the greatest connection to place and a true sense of personal achievement.
Environmental Degradation Under a “Green” Banner
All of this comes at a time when Australia’s ecosystems are already under severe strain. The 2022 State of the Environment Report offers a grim assessment: climate change is amplifying pressures on every Australian ecosystem, the number of threatened species has increased by 8% since 2016, and further extinctions are projected in the coming decades.
Against this backdrop, introducing additional development into protected areas runs counter to the very principles of conservation. Construction of permanent infrastructure in remote locations demands clearing of native vegetation, earthworks, and transport of building materials—activities that fragment habitat and disrupt wildlife. Yet many of these projects are cloaked in the language of sustainability, with “eco-lodges” and “green tourism” used to mask their real ecological footprint.
LUXURY LODGES = WILDERNESS LOST
James McCormack, editor of WILD Magazine, explores what’s really going on in this two-part piece.
It only takes one spark to ignite change
Be the spark!
“We are a plague on the Earth. It’s coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so. It’s not just climate change; it’s sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde. Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.”
“As an outdoor enthusiast, I believe it’s my duty to take an active stance on issues affecting our natural world.”
“The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.”
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”
“We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.”
“If you’re an enthusiast of the outdoors, you need to be an activist to protect the outdoors, because otherwise you’re just a self-involved hypocrite.”