Visitors to Kunanyi/Mt Wellington should be charged, report finds

A tourism consultancy firm has recommended visitors to Hobart's Kunanyi/Mt Wellington be charged for access, in a bid to raise more funds for park maintenance.

Documents obtained by the Tasmanian Greens and seen by the ABC reveal the report delivered to the Wellington Park Management Trust Board said charging people who visit would likely dis-incentivise visitors and "help the natural environment".

A business case from March 2026 said that by introducing vehicle fees, shuttle and commercial licences, a potential $8.6 million in revenue could be generated.

"The Park relies heavily on local government funding, particularly Hobart City Council to maintain roads, manage safety risks, respond to snow and bushfire events, and protect sensitive natural and water catchment values," the report, by Evolve Tourism, said.

"This funding model has remained largely unchanged for decades and is not sufficient to meet current or forecast levels of demand."

The report recommended an "automated licence plate recognition system" to be installed "just uphill of the Pinnacle Track Rd and Pinnacle Rd junction gate, above The Springs".

"Research indicated that adopting a user pays model could reduce visitation by 183,000 or 29 per cent [fewer] people per annum," the report said.

"This will reduce congestion, improve safety and relieve pressure on the natural environment.

"This reduction in demand is a deliberate and positive outcome, acknowledging that pricing is a supportive mechanism for managing visitor load at key sites, aligned with the Park's capacity to safely accommodate visitors."

Evolve Tourism, the author of the report, lists the recently unveiled Cadbury Chocolate Experience alongside other projects it has been involved in.

How much could be charged?

The price that each car could be charged and shuttle prices have been redacted from the report.

But, according to the ABC's calculations based on the model generating $8.6m in revenue each year, and there being approximately 500,000 vehicles annually, it could work out to be around $16 per private vehicle.

This calculation is also based on an expected 29 per cent drop in visitation, which the report said could happen because of a reluctance of people to pay.

Those accessing the park on foot would not be charged, the report recommended.

"The $8.6m revenue is generated 87 per cent from interstate and international visitors and 13 per cent from Tasmanians, so for every $1 contributed by Tasmanians, around $6.80 is contributed by interstate and international visitors," the report said.

Not 'legally viable' to charge locals less, report says

The report noted it would not be possible to charge locals and tourists a different price.

"Importantly, Australian constitutional requirements under Section 117 mean that any charging model must apply universally, as differentiating between residents and interstate visitors is not legally viable," it said.

"While international visitors can be charged at different rates, the small international numbers and admin costs make this approach not viable.

Wellington Park is Tasmania's second most visited tourist attraction and the most visited natural site, with around half a million people visiting each year.

"Around 450,000 individuals visited in 2024, making a total of 1.5 million visits,"

the report said.

"Based on forecasts and without any management interventions, this is expected to double over the next 25 years, reaching 910,000 visitors and 3.3 million visits."

Revenue collected from the user pays model would be reinvested into safety upgrades, improved visitor experiences and amenities, asset and infrastructure maintenance, environmental protection, and cultural engagement.

Final decision not yet made

A spokesperson for The Wellington Park Management Trust said the report was still being considered.

"The Wellington Park Business Case remains a draft until such time as the Trust has all information at hand to finalise its position," they said.

The spokesperson said the Trust "awaits the release of the government's Our Mountain's Future review as the final resource to be considered" before it "resolves a position".

The government's Our Mountain's Future action plan was due to be released in late 2025, but has still not been published.