Its reputation as a backpacker magnet – not to mention its high cost and perceived unfriendliness – mean many grey nomads choose to bypass Byron Bay in northern New South Wales.
And that probably isn’t going to change any time soon.
The local council has just installed boom gates at the Butler Street Reserve which will be locked at 9pm each evening and not opened again until 6am the following day. The Byron Shire News reports that the measure has been taken to address community concerns including illegal camping, partying and dumping of rubbish.
Fines will also be imposed on anyone parking in the Reserve after 9pm.
From July 2019 the Butler Street Reserve will be closed completely when work starts on the Byron Bay bypass.
However, the Byron Shire Council will be all too aware that the introduction of a barrier to prevent free camping is not always the end of the matter.
Last week, the authority installed a barrier to help prevent unauthorised use of Crown land south of Brunswick Surf Lifesaving Club, including Tyagarah Nature Reserve, in Brunswick Heads.
It was destroyed the same day.
The cost of the bollards, cable and gate was approximately $10,000. The damage has been reported to the police and the Department of Industry – Lands and Water is also working with Byron Shire Council to prevent future vandalism at the site.
“This is in response to long-standing issues and community concern related to issues such as unauthorised camping and vehicular access, environmental damage, bushfire risks and illegal rubbish dumping,” a Department spokesman said. “Anyone with information regarding who may be responsible for the damage should contact the police in the first instance.”
YES ;;; Stevo.
It might has beautiful scenery but as far as Byron bay is concerned it’s a dump. We went there once and now the layabouts have taken over we will never go back. I suggest the problem is not from grey nomads but from back packers and the great unwashed.
Yes. I have been bypassing Byron since the mid-1990s. There were already signs everywhere with a long list of “Do Not”s. It was most off-putting. Nothing has changed. Probably never will.
I have no idea how they can solve their backpacker issues. Has any country or city managed?
Yes we have been there as well found them to be very unfriendly.
Went there last year, first and last time. 4 bucks an hour to park and look at shops. Carpark full at the lighthouse. Just overrated surfie town but had nothing other coastal towns dont have. Overrated.
We have a population in Byron Shire of 34,000.
Not sure how many ratepayers.
We have 2 million visitors. ( don’t think that includes day trippers from Qld either)
I thought the comments on the article were disgusting.
We cannot cater for free camping. There are plenty of caravan parks,football grounds etc that accept campers.
Our roads are full of potholes from excessive traffic.
We get campers with no toilets who even park in people’s driveways and put their waste in owners garbage bins! It gets worse when festivals are on.
Any constructive advice is appreciated.
Constructive advise. Stop the festivals that bring in the time wasters. True Greynomads will spend money in town if made to feel welcome. Not looking for FREE, looking for a welcome sign. Sorry, wont be back, despite being a local for many years previously.
A good start would be stop the drugs and festivals that bring bad crowds. Sweep out the dole bludgers too, they don’t do anything for the town.
Too many hippies and extremist greenies. Move them on too.
Yes, l understand it’s a huge problem, but the big picture, is overpopulation. I have fitted out my mini-van into a weekender, and divide my time between my home and a couple of days on the coast. I would suggest, that only a very few campers actually leave there waste (including bodily waste) and they give all of ‘us’ a bad name. We all, contribute to the local economy by purchasing fuel, groceries etc. Ergo, locals could be more tolerant, even though they have spent so much for they little bit of paradise. ‘How can we change out thinking/attitudes’???
We planned to visit Byron July last year. Had a booking at a CP and arrived in town.
OMG. cancelled the booking and continued north.
Will not be back.
I personally give BB a great big MISS. Clarkes Beach Caravan Park wanted to charged us $25.00 just to park our van for an hour so we could go up to the lighthouse. You have got to be joking.. We went elsewhere
Yes been to Byron for a wedding. No van or motorhome rented a car rented house with friends family
Will never ever go back.
Unfriendly town and expensive.
Totally overrated.
There are hundreds of coastal towns in Australia many far far better than silly Byron.
Can’t see what all the hype about silly Byron is.
Absolutely nothing special there
Byron is like a shopping centre. But with smelly toilets, 2x public type is so ridiculous, actually. From bad to worst, actually (the old dirty ones at the surf club and at the end of the town near bus stop were better, even though really smelly). Lost interest, good restaurants are around BB. To be honest…
Would not waste my time going into Byron anymore. A once beautiful place spoilt by the great unwashed centre link bludgers
It was really nice part of the coast, but this is what happens to ‘nice’ spots with too many people visiting… I know you’re angry, but let’s try to change society for the better, and not economically, but morally….
Being a Gold Coaster have always disliked B. Bay…..can remember going to the Blues Festival years ago (20) and it was great…now they treat outsiders especially G.C outright bloody rude…
Have a van and wouldntTHINK OF GOING THERE…by past all the time..
They should put barriers around the whole town, was a great place in the 70s but know Centrelink has significant holdings in the area, great place to avoid.
Please, I know you’ll be incensed by ‘freeeeee’ camping. After all, our ‘CAPITALIST’ society precludes such people from camping for free. All, have to pay….