Send us a textA packed week in the outdoor industry leads to a pivotal conversation: how do we open nature to more people without building on it? We start with energy—whitewater slalom championships in Penrith, powerful voices from a women in sport summit, and a weekend of campfire learning capped by Saturn’s rings—and channel that momentum into the decision that could shape access for years: NSW National Parks’ supported camping EOI.We lay out what supported camping really means—service, not structures—and why the research points to a big opportunity. Instinct and Reason’s findings show the majority of prospective and lapsed campers are willing but stuck on basics: gear, setup, confidence, and time. The EOI targets 26 campgrounds across 16 parks, chosen for facilities and proximity to townships, with clear criteria for safety, environmental care, and guest experience. Think pre‑pitched tents, simple comforts, optional catering, and, where permitted, caravan or campervan setups—always pack‑in, pack‑out, never semi‑permanent. We explain the timeline to October 28 for submissions, March license commencement, and how Parks will support promotion once operators are onboard.The conversation doesn’t dodge the hard questions about commercialisation. Most operators are small, local businesses; their success depends on healthy places and satisfied guests. Curated access protects capacity, reduces unmanaged impacts, and delivers consistency, while still leaving room for self‑sufficient walkers. We contrast models like the open Snowies Alpine Walk and tightly guided new tracks to show how context drives approach. Along the way, we share sector intel you can use now: AAAS review and VET qualification consultations, e‑bike legislation briefings, new Ecopass walks in the Gardens of Stone Conservation Area, inbound‑ready training with Destination NSW and ATEC, free AED grants for clubs and not for profits, environmental education awards, career pathways webinars, and on‑demand Risk and Resilience Symposium recordings.If you care about getting families, newcomers, and time‑poor adults into nature—safely, lightly, and often in NSW and the ACT—this is a roadmap. Listen for the research, the criteria, and the guardrails. Stay for the practical steps that help operators grow, communities benefit, and parks keep their character. Subscribe, share this with a teammate who needs the EOI details, and leave a review with your take on supported camping—should comfort have a place outdoors?Support the showTo stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube ChannelOur members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

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