The newly implemented booking system for campsites along Western Australia's Ningaloo coast has encountered significant technical issues just after its launch, causing frustration for many campers who were unable to secure reservations. Parks and Wildlife Visitors Services acknowledged these issues, notably a critical 'glitch' occurring during the payment process, which hindered users from completing their bookings. This has raised concerns over the ability of the system to manage the expected traffic effectively.

The revamped system was designed to provide a fairer allocation of camping spots, in contrast to the previous method that opened spot reservations daily moving forward for six months at midnight. Instead, the new system aimed to open bookings at 10 am on the first Tuesday of each month, hoping to streamline access to popular campsites in this World Heritage-listed area. However, the rapid crash of the system has sparked criticism from users who felt that the upgrades did not improve usability.

As a response to these complications, the West Australian government has announced a review of the booking system, which will be under trial for two months before reassessment. The outcome of this review will be crucial, as the Ningaloo coast is a significant tourist destination, and effective management of campsite reservations is vital for both visitor satisfaction and environmental conservation efforts.