Camping in the Pines 2025 Applications

School holiday summertime fun down at Emily Bay in the camping area under the pines. During the past few weeks, the Norfolk Island residents were invited to apply for a permit for summer camping from early December 2025 to late January 2026. The applications close 14 November 2025.

The camping in the pines is a great annual tradition here on Norfolk Island and just before Christmas the area will start filling with tents and wind breaks. The pine needles will be cleared, and families will enjoy the warm evenings in the great outdoors under the Norfolk Island stars. Hopefully the December and January weather will be settled for the campers, so they have an enjoyable holiday period.

I read a Norfolk Island Regional Council, NIRC, public notice advising the area within the Point Hunter Reserve and Government House grounds Reserve marked on the map which was also published is the areas available for overnight camping from 13 December 2025 until 27 January 2026.

The Point Hunter (Emily Bay) camping site applications for the upcoming holiday season are now open! Designated areas on the below map have been approved for camping from December 13, 2025, until January 27, 2026.

Residents wishing to camp at Kingston should apply in writing to Norfolk Island Regional Council, Customer Care before Friday 14th November 2025.

Applications should be lodged at Customer Care, Bicentennial Complex, Taylors Road. Please include the desired camping period, the names of campers, and the number of tents intended to be set up.

Please note that applications will only be approved for tents erected on designated campsites within the approved camping area. Camping permits will be granted for up to three (3) weeks. Where there are a high number of applicants, permits may be restricted to 3 weeks to ensure that campsites are shared among applicants. Permits may be extended beyond the 3-week period only where campsites are available and the conditions applying to the original camping permit have been complied with.

Applicants should also be aware that:

• No dogs or other domestic animals will be permitted in the areas approved for camping.

• No attachments to trees, other than by rope will be permitted.

• No solid construction: for instance, utilising timber rails, timber or metal posts, pallets, iron sheets or the like, will be permitted.

• No political signage to be erected.

• Vehicles may enter campsites for the purposes of setting up and packing down and are to remain outside of the camping area at all other times.

More information is available in Norfolk Island Government Gazette No. 41. Access using the link below:

https://www.nirc.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/your-council/documents/nirc-gazettes/2025/2025-10-24-gazette-no-41.pdf

During past years these were some of the requirements for the camping permits: See the details above.

Applicants should also be aware that the Public Reserves Act 1997 prohibits:

• depositing litter, refuse and garbage.

• lighting fires, other than in an approved fireplace or a portable gas barbecue or stove;

• interfering with a natural feature.

• picking or removing plants; and

• leaving or using motor vehicles in the area approved for camping, or on other parts of a public reserve not

approved for that purpose (including the golf course).

Residents who wish to camp at Kingston needed to apply in writing to the Norfolk Island Regional Council, stating “Care of Registry”.

Email to customercare@nirc.gov.nf or to hand deliver the applications in person, these need to be lodged at the Registry Office, before 17 November 2023.

Application Should include:

The period during which it is desired to camp.

The number and names of campers proposed to use the site, and

The number of tents intended to be erected.

Applicants can only be approved for tents erected on designated campsites within the approved camping areas.

Camping permits will only be granted for up to three (3) weeks. Where there is a high number of applicants, permits maybe restricted to 3 weeks to ensure that campsites are shared amongst applicants. Permits may be extended beyond the 3 weeks period only where campsites are available and the conditions applying to the original camping permit have been complied with.

Good luck with you camping site applications, I hope there is enough space for everyone down under the pine trees. It is time to organise your camping area under the pines or brush off the BBQ and summertime camping and picnic equipment.

Betty Matthews

7 November 2025