Grey nomads hoping to take a trip to ‘the Tip’ on Queensland’s Cape York are being urged to re-think their plans.
In a surprise move, traditional owners have effectively denied access to Australia’s most northern point.
Signs will now be erected at the Jardine River ferry crossing and visitors will be permitted access as far as the Croc Tent on Pajinka Road, but no further.
The move comes after increasing reports of disrespectful visitors covering cliffs in graffiti, littering, defecating in the bush, and even used unregistered guns in the area.
Elders have also called for public toilet upgrades after some tourists used nearby scrub due to a lack of facilities.
Traditional owner and Gudang/Yadhaykenu Aboriginal Corporation chairman Michael Solomon told the Cairns Post he was insulted that pleas for toilet upgrades from the state had allegedly been ignored and people called the Tip a ‘rubbish tip’.
“They make their own tracks and drive down the beach, they come with quad bikes and pig dogs,” he said. “We have had enough.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister, Craig Crawford, told the Cairns Post that there had been a precedent set in Central Australia when traditional owners exercised land rights granted under federal native title law.
“Certainly what you are seeing here is no different to what you are seeing in Uluru and stopping people from climbing the rock,” he said. “We do need to respect that they are the traditional owners of that land and it gives them certain rights.”
Mr Crawford said the traditional owners do have a point.
“I probably do agree with them, they probably do need some upgrades, no one should be defecating in the scrub,” he said. “I don’t think this is them saying they don’t want tourists, but at the same time they are traditional owners and they deserve respect.”
The biggest eyesore at the tip is the run down Ansett resort which was run by the community.
Hasn’t that been sold to the Chinese ?
Pretty much par for the course in anything the local indigenous are given to manage
Not surprising. Some travellers are absolutely disgusting. I feel sad for the respectful ones.
So many disgusting people have ruined it for us good guys that travel our beautiful country and you wouldn’t know we where there. We take our whatever with us…very sad indeed.
Cape York, Kakadu. Ayres Rock – all going the same way……downhill. Tourists will continue to avoid these places and we ask ourselves why????
It would make sense to have guided tours run by the title owners. They could then control the tourists and make a dollar for themselves too.
That’s really sad I climbed Ayres rock before it was closed would love to see the cape no point if it’s closed and access restricted will go south instead. Very disappointing
Having been there a few years ago I have to say this was not the case. It was amazing, clean and believe me we would have found this unacceptable so I don’t know what’s happened since then or is it another ‘we’re in control now ‘ ???
In many media reports on this matter you can see images of graffiti covering rocks in the area so, for mine, it’s been closed for the right reasons.
Why do people feel the need to desecrate all of these beautiful places and spoil it for those of us who just want to visit & leave no mark. The traditional owners could maybe screen potential visitors and ban the idiots with 4 wheelers & their hunting dogs who are intent on destruction
Maybe a permit system where intending travellers pay an entry fee plus a refundable monetary amount (similar to hire vehicles, some accommodation places and etc).
Maybe training in hospitality, management, resource management, repair and maintenance training and so on could be given to all working in these areas raised in this response to a sad demise for the “good” travellers who take pictures and only leave their tyre tracks/footprints behind.
Self contained vehicles and proper disposal points should be mandatory to keep the areas (doesn’t matter whether the Cape, Outback Aus. or coastal areas), pristine for future generations.
Gee, hasn’t man made a mess? Pick up trash and dispose properly.
Why don’t the custodians have a permit system in place and only allow do many that can be tracked etc and fined if they do wrong? Sad to ban the good people that are finally able to travel to see things they’ve worked entire lives to see due to the disrespect of the minority! It might just be enough to deter the fools and at the same time raise revenue for the communities that will surely suffer without tourism as a means to survive
Ther is already a permit system in place.
You pay for a camping permit when you pay to cross the Jardine river on the ferry.
If there is to be a new permit then the old one must be dropped or they would be double dipping.
I dont consider it fair to be aloud to double dip.
DAYLIGHT ROBBERY.
Sadly it comes down to a lack of respect.