When setting up at a new campsite, the worst-case scenario for most grey nomads is the prospect of rowdy or disrespectful campers coming in late and causing issues.
Well, for those at the normally serene Cotter Campground about 20 minutes from the Canberra CBD, their worst fears were realised … and then some!
Canberra local, Tom Jones, had been enjoying the peace and quiet at the campground when he found himself in the thick of the action as protesters began arriving ahead of anti-vaccination rallies over the weekend.
He said people started turning up in big numbers on Friday afternoon and that, while the early arrivals had been respectful, things changed dramatically on Sunday when protesters were ordered to leave Exhibition Park.
“The first thing they did was assemble three or four of them and move a rock so they could put all their four-wheel drives in there, which meant people that paid to set a tent up couldn’t access it,” he told the Singleton Argus. “And then one individual very proudly told me that he was responsible for 200 people camping on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.”
Mr Jones said he then asked the man how that had happened.
There were some lively protests in Canberra. PIC: ABC
“He said ‘oh, I’ve got an angle grinder, the gate was locked so I cut the lock’,” said Mr Jones. “That to me was a total disregard for the law.”
Mr Jones told the Singleton Argus that on Sunday night someone had fired a high-powered rifle, while another individual had done burnouts up and down the road.
Three people were arrested during the police operation at Exhibition Park on Monday. Another four were arrested at the Cotter Campground later that day for failing to comply with police directions to leave.
Quiet peaceful camping spot near Split Rock Dam, three young blokes turned up, got drunk then proceeded to trash the whe place. Drove round and round in circles most of the night digging up grass. Tied ropes to shelter areas, BBQs and seating and tried to pull them over. When we reported to police in morning, not remotely interested until I said they were drunk!
many years ago two small families camped on a football oval a little out of town (it was the time of the Stawell Gift.) there were quite a number of campers, but one group in particular were trail bike riders of the motorised variety, they were away most of the day but we all knew when they were back, noise all night. Now the best part they went out the next morn for a few hours then returned, the bikes roared into camp and the back up ute followed, drove straight into their camp, promptly drove over their camp fire, whereupon he stalled, he was loudly applauded by the campers, but not finished yet he managed to start the ute and promptly reversed into the parked bikes. needless to say they departed very shortly after, to great applause.
We were camping at Haddon’s Corner and had gone to bed. It was very hot and windy. Our friends got a bit freaked out and said we were running around playing ‘silly buggers!’ They insisted that a two legged creature was prowling. As we were the only two camps there we told them they were imaging things. Next morning as we were looking for tracks we found they were correct. It was a two legged creature-an emu. They haven’t forgiven us for our tour to Haddon’s Corner.
We were camped in The Lakes National Park VIC at Point Wilson, a very tranquil place.
There was only us & one other elderly gentleman camped there.
Late one dark night we saw lights coming across the water towards us.
Boat loads of loud excited people arrived, some of them running through our campsite tripping over guy ropes & overturning our gear.
For the next 3 hours until well after midnight they had a huge loud evangelist religious gathering.
Loud amplifiers, singing & chanting over & over.
They then boarded the boats & disappeared into the distance of the night.
Peace resumed.
Speaking to the elderly gentleman next morning he had his whole camp/tent trampled down by them.