2026/2027 Booking Information

Ballot Draw Results available here

General Information

  • This ballot application covers all bookings of 3 weeks (21 nights) or more, for the entire season from Cup Day Weekend through to the end of April. A minimum stay of 21 nights applies - shorter bookings are not included in this ballot and will be available for booking online on July 22nd at 7pm.

  • The summer peak periods are available as two 3-week blocks:

    • Block 1: 19th December - 9th January

    • Block 2: 9th January - 30th January

  • You are welcome to apply for the full 6-week period or longer.

Before submitting your application, please ensure you have read the following:

Key Dates

Key Date Activity
May 8, 2026 Ballot Opens
May 25, 5pm Ballot Closes
May 26 – Jun 2 Application Processing
June 3 Ballot Draw
June 3–17 Booking Confirmations Sent
July 1 Deposit Invoices Issued
July 14 Deposits Due
July 22, 7pm Online Bookings Open
November 6 Balance Payments Due
December 5 Summer Camping Season Opens

2026/2027 Per night camping rates

Site Type Peak Shoulder Off-Peak
Premium Powered $80 $58 $49
Standard Powered $70 $50 $41
Premium Unpowered $56 $40
Standard Unpowered $49 $34

26/27 Campground Open Dates and Rate Periods

Sep 26 Oct Nov Dec Jan 27 Feb Mar Apr

Campground status

Camerons Bight
Powered
GF day school hols Cup cl. 25 Apr
Camerons Bight
Unpowered
30 Oct–3 Nov opens 4 Dec cl. 15 Mar 25–28 Mar cl. 30 Mar
Whitecliffs
Powered
opens 4 Dec closes 25 Apr

Rate period

Off-Peak GF Cup Off-Peak Peak Peak wknds / Shoulder midweek LD Off-Pk Peak Off-Peak GF wknd Cup wknd 19 Dec – 30 Jan Labour Day wknd Easter: 25–28 Mar (Peak)
Open
Partial open / Peak rate period
Closed
Off-Peak rates
Peak wknds / Shoulder midweek
Camerons Bight — Powered sites
18 Sep – 4 Oct
Open — school holidays
★ Grand Final weekend: peak rate
5 Oct – 31 Oct
Closed
Cup weekend
Reopens — peak rate
After Cup – 25 Apr
Open — closes 25 Apr
Open
Peak rate
Closed
Camerons Bight — Unpowered sites
Sep – 29 Oct
Closed
30 Oct – 3 Nov
Partial open
4 Nov – 3 Dec
Closed
4 Dec – 15 Mar
Open
16 Mar – 24 Mar
Closed
25 Mar – 28 Mar
Open — Easter peak rate
29 Mar – 30 Mar
Open — off-peak rate
Closes 30 Mar
Closed
Whitecliffs — Powered sites
Sep – 3 Dec
Closed
4 Dec – 25 Apr
Open — closes 25 Apr
Rate periods 2026/27
Off-Peak
Sep – GF wknd
Peak
GF weekend (school hols)
Off-Peak
GF wknd – Cup wknd
Peak
Cup weekend
Off-Peak
Cup wknd – 18 Dec
Peak
19 Dec – 30 Jan
Peak wknds / Shoulder
31 Jan – Labour Day wknd
Off-Peak
After Labour Day – 24 Mar
Peak
Easter: 25 Mar – 28 Mar
Off-Peak
29 Mar – end of season

Frequently Asked Questions

2026/2027 Ballot

Understanding the Ballot Process

Q: What dates does the ballot cover?

A: The ballot applies to all bookings of 21 nights or more for the full season, from Cup Day Weekend through to the end of April. Shorter stays are not part of the ballot process and will be available to book online from 22 July at 7:00 pm.

Q: What are the peak summer booking periods?

A: The peak summer period is divided into two three-week blocks: Block 1 runs from 19 December to 9 January, and Block 2 runs from 9 January to 30 January. Applicants were able to apply for either block, or for the full six-week period or longer.

Q: How was the ballot draw conducted?

A: The ballot was independently overseen by a Justice of the Peace to verify that the draw was conducted at random. All confirmed duplicate applications were voided before the draw commenced. Entries were assigned numbers starting from 1, and sites were allocated sequentially.

Q: I could see my unique code on the draw results page. Does that mean I was successful?

A: Not necessarily. Your unique code appearing on the results page confirms your entry was received and processed, but it does not indicate whether you were allocated a site. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a separate email notification. If you are unsure of your outcome, please refer to your notification email.

Site Allocation

Q: Why was I unsuccessful if I entered the ballot?

A: Entering the ballot does not guarantee a campsite. Allocation is subject to the availability of sites that match your application details, including your van or setup size, preferred dates, and site preferences. Where demand exceeds supply, not all applicants can be accommodated. The draw is entirely random, and all applications are treated equally.

Q: I applied for an extended stay, including dates outside the peak period. Did this disadvantage my entry?

A: No. Applications requesting dates outside the peak period were not disadvantaged. Where applications were unsuccessful, this was due to site availability being exhausted for configurations matching the applicant's setup, dates, and preferences — not because of the length of stay requested.

Q: Our van is large, and we are limited in which sites we can use. How were large van applications handled?

A: Sites were assigned in draw order without discrimination. However, due to the high volume of large van applications this season, available sites capable of accommodating larger setups were exhausted before all such applications could be fulfilled. Smaller sites with difficult access were not considered a suitable alternative.

Q: We requested specific sites near friends. Why were they allocated to our friends but not to us?

A: Site allocations are made in draw order. Sites listed as preferences on your application are allocated if they remain available at the time your entry is processed. If preferred sites have already been allocated to earlier draw numbers by the time your entry is reached, we look at the next best alternative site. We do consider friend and neighbour requests where possible, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

Q: Sites we requested appeared to be unused for much of the season last year. Why are they not available?

A: Sites listed as preferences on your application are assessed at the time of allocation. Where sites appeared in previous seasons but were noted as unavailable, this reflects their status at the time of processing. They may have been allocated to other applicants or held for operational reasons. All allocation decisions are made in good faith based on the information available at the time of the draw.

The waitlist

Q: Is there a waitlist for unsuccessful ballot applicants?

A: Yes. All unsuccessful applicants have been automatically added to the waitlist. You do not need to take any further action to be included. A second waitlist will be opened for those who would like to adjust sites or missed communication about the ballot opening. This will be looked at once the ballot waitlist is completed, with applicants who were unsuccessful in obtaining a site getting first priority. We cannot guarantee a spot will open up, as this is subject to cancellation.

Q: How is the waitlist managed?

A: The waitlist is managed in ballot draw order, with priority given to applicants who have not yet been allocated any site. A separate waitlist also operates for general bookings, but ballot waitlist applicants receive priority over that list.

Q: Can I adjust my dates or site preferences to improve my chances on the waitlist?

A: Yes, adjustments to dates and site preferences are acceptable and may improve your chances of being matched with an available site. Please contact us to update your preferences via email. We also recommend visiting our website from 22 July at 7:00 pm, where you can review current availability. 

Q: Can I be placed on the waitlist for specific sites, such as Cameron's Bight or Whitecliffs?

A: Yes. If you have specific site preferences, please ensure these are noted on your waitlist entry. We will do our best to match cancellations to waitlist applicants according to their stated preferences and draw order.

Booking Outside the Ballot

Q: I missed the opportunity to fill out a ballot entry. How can I book?

A: Online bookings open on 22 July at 7:00 pm. We recommend visiting the site promptly, as popular dates and sites fill quickly.

Ballot Eligibility and Entry Rules

Q: Can multiple members of our household submit separate applications?

A: No. The ballot conditions permit only one entry per household per ballot period. Submitting multiple entries, whether under different names, email addresses, or contact details constitutes an attempt to manipulate the ballot and will result in disqualification. Household members who choose not to submit a separate application in accordance with these rules have complied correctly with the conditions of entry.

Q: What happens if a duplicate entry is identified?

A: The Foreshore Manager reserves the right to remove any entry identified as a duplicate without notice, disqualify the applicant from the ballot, and cancel any booking made as a result of a duplicate or fraudulent entry. Any deposit paid would be refunded less any applicable administration fee. Where disqualification or cancellation is proposed, the applicant will be notified in writing and given a reasonable opportunity to respond before any decision is confirmed.

Communication and Process Concerns

Q: I did not receive an email about the ballot. How can I stay informed?

A: Ballot communications are sent to applicants who are registered and opted in to receive marketing updates. We recommend ensuring your details are current and that you are signed up to receive communications from us. Updates are also published on our website and across our social media channels, including announcements when ballots open and close.

Q: Can we discuss ballot results before a final decision is made?

A: We understand that being unsuccessful in the ballot is frustrating. However, where all suitable sites for a given configuration, date range, and campground have been exhausted, there is no allocation available to review or reassign at that point. Unsuccessful applicants are automatically placed on the waitlist and will be contacted if a suitable site becomes available. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Q: The draw results appeared to indicate I was successful, but I have now been told there is no site available. What happened?

A: Your unique code appearing on the draw results page confirms your entry was received and processed, but it does not indicate whether you were allocated a site. If you received a notification confirming you were unsuccessful, that notification reflects the final outcome. We are reviewing our online communications to ensure results are displayed clearly and consistently.

Q: Why not return to an instant online queue system?

A: We appreciate the feedback regarding the previous online queue system. The ballot process was introduced to provide a fairer and more equitable allocation of sites, removing the advantage held by those who are available at a specific time to queue online. We continue to review our processes and welcome all feedback as we look to improve the experience for all applicants.