Hooray, the State Government is finally going to reopen the Bear Gully Campground in beautiful South Gippsland in time for Christmas.
In fact, bookings for the ultimate in cost-of-living holidays, at $16.50-a-night, open on the Parks Vic website this Thursday, December 7.
They’ll say it has nothing to do with the pressure applied by our local MPs Danny O’Brien and Melina Bath last week, but the government left its run pretty late to announce that the campsite will reopen on Friday, December 22.
Here’s what Parks Vic has just posted on its website:
“Bear Gully Campground, including beach access through the site, is currently closed to campers and day visitors.
“Parks Victoria has been granted a permit to reopen the Bear Gully Campground on Friday 22 December. Bookings will open on our website from Thursday 7 December.
“We’ve completed some work at the site to make sure the facilities are clean, safe and ready to reopen and we’re looking forward to welcoming campers back in the next few weeks. Please check the Parks Victoria website for more information over the coming weeks for more information.”
After waiting 10 months for an update, and several representations to Minister, Melina Bath put Bear Gully back on the agenda in Parliament on Tuesday, November 28,
“My question is to the Minister for Environment. The Bear Gully Campground has been used for decades by nature-loving tourists and locals as a place to enjoy walkable coastline on the beautiful Waratah Bay. The campground, including pedestrian access to the beach, is closed for campers and day visitors. Noting that Parks Victoria is working with First Peoples to assess the area for cultural heritage sites, my South Gippsland constituents are justifiably frustrated… will you inform my constituents when the Bear Gully Campground in Cape Liptrap Coastal Park will be open to public access and campers?”
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, followed up on Thursday last week seeking answers “as frustration mounts among would-be campers over the continued closure of Bear Gully campground”.
The popular campground, located at Walkerville near Cape Liptrap and overlooking Wilsons Prom, has been closed since February 2023, he said.
Mr O’Brien said he had written to the Minister for Environment in June and again in October asking for more information on why the campground is closed and when it can be expected to reopen.
Mr O’Brien said he had been contacted by a number of frustrated constituents who are keen to get back to their beloved campsite.
“These people are understandably frustrated that they are being locked out of their favorite camping spot without proper explanation.
“Nobody wants to damage or harm Aboriginal artefacts or anything of cultural significance, but we do want answers.”
We contacted the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, neither of whom have responsibility for Bear Gully under their Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP) area.
So, if it’s not GLaWAC land or Bunurong country, Parks Vic appeared to be in a position to provide its own update, we said, which they have now done.
All’s well that ends well, although many former visitors to Bear Gully may have long since made their Christmas-New Year holiday plans. If you are still open to offers, however (and maybe missed out on the nearby Wilsons Prom, then hit this link for the ideal 'cost-of-living-holiday' when bookings open on Thursday, December 7 http://Bookings will open on our website from Thursday 7 December.