Track rangers and campground hosts welcome visitors to national parks

PARKS Victoria has welcomed a number of new volunteer participants who will soon be testing their newly developed skills as Volunteer Track Rangers and Campground Hosts for the coming Easter holiday period.

The Volunteer Track Ranger program enables participants to walk and camp along tracks within National Parks in peak visitor periods, while also offering a more personal service to park visitors by equipping them with the latest track information and educating them on unique environmental values of the park.

The Campground Host program allows volunteers to camp in some of Victoria’s most stunning parks during peak periods.

They are a welcoming face for visitors upon arrival, providing orientation information about campground facilities and ensuring visitors experience everything our parks have to offer.

Parks Victoria is looking to expand the Volunteer Track Ranger and Campground Host program to more parks across the state, including at Baw Baw National Park, Cape Conran Coastal Park and Point Hicks Lighthouse Reserve for the first time.

These volunteer-led programs are incredibly popular and very well received by hikers and campers alike, and according to a recent report from Volunteering Victoria, 96 per cent of those that volunteer say doing so enriches their sense of purpose in life, while 78 per cent say it lowers their stress levels.

“Parks Victoria currently has more than 100 Volunteer Track Rangers that provide their expertise and time during peak holiday periods,” Parks Victoria volunteer officer Drue Schulz said.

“Participating in the Volunteer Track Ranger program is a great way to meet fellow hikers and visitors, as well as promote awareness of low impact techniques and our parks environmental values.”

For those wanting to know more or want to apply to be a Volunteer Track Ranger or Campground Host, head to parkconnect.vic.gov.au.