The controversy surrounding illegal camping in popular beachside areas shows no sign of abating … even in the off season!
In Queensland’s Far North, social media images of motorhomes and tents in a public car park at Four Mile Beach near Port Douglas sparked quite an online reaction.
They also spurred law officers from the Douglas Shire Council to attend the scene.
And Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr told the Cairns Post that the enforcement team was regularly inspecting beaches, council and reserves across Port Douglas and the surrounding region.
“Illegal camping may result in a friendly warning or a fine by council’s local laws officers who regularly inspect beaches, parks and council reserves,” he told the newspaper. “Camping includes sleeping overnight in cars, caravans and mobile homes.”
The 'problem' of car park camping is a nationwide one. In 2020, a series of complaints about anti-social behaviour on the foreshore of the Adelaide seaside suburb of Semaphore (above) led to Port Adelaide Enfield Council bringing in strict parking controls.
The council reportedly issued one $287 fine for illegal camping for the June to September period, and 83 written warnings.
The Cairns Post quoted the online reaction from a number of people in its report.
One local resident said the area was ‘a car park not a campground’, while another said Port Douglas wouldn’t ‘be beautiful any more’ if a lack of enforcement occurred. According to a different poster, ‘the public toilets and shower just a few steps away makes this area very inviting for free campers’.
The Post reports that illegal camping is an ongoing issue throughout the Far North and it identifies Ellis Beach near Cairns as another long-time popular spot.
Have you noticed more illegal camping in car parks and public streets? Is it an ‘issue’ that can ever be solved? Comment below.
Firstly, the Semaphore story is a load of rubbish. There were only a few complaints, but the majority of residents and visitors liked the international flavor of backpackers and campers that frequented Semaphore. NEVER was there any aniti-social behavior. Fact is that the semaphore area has since gone downhill since the parking restrictions were installed and even locals have complained about the parking issues. Crime has also increased since the ban. Not forgetting the financial strain, the decision was on the local businesses. $500,000 was the estimate the council ban on campers cost the traders annually. How do i know. I was one of the campers and a Semaphore local and rate payer.
I also had the pleasure of visiting Pt Douglas. The stories of campers are highly exaggerated. Yes, they are there but not in the large numbers that are stated. I was approached by council inspectors just because i was parked within the area. The inspectors actually stated they were LOCAL POLICE a definite No No. Highly illegal impersonating a police officer. They were quickly reminded of their wrongdoing and quickly left. But i was mad unwelcome just because of the vehicle i drove.
QLD especially FNQ have been screaming out for tourism to return. Knowing full well, they have targeted the young international tourists, BACKPACKERS. But once they get here the local councils want to drive them out. This is an ongoing issue not just in FNQ but all over Australia. Flood overseas markets with the free spirit life of travelling Australia then when they get here show them it’s not what is on offer then show them the door
I just became a Member today, and the first post I read was (people camping in council carparks & anti-social behaviour . (The People causing anti-social behaviour) . The Grey nomades that I have met in the past are the most wonderful & interesting people I have ever met and cant see them being anti-social But if people decide to be anti-social then will pay the price. If your traveling I cant see the problem staying overnight or having a powernap on rout to your destination in a council carpark. After all they advertise (To Stop Revive & Survive).
If you are in a motor home and it is registered you can park there for I believe 8 hours. Most town and cities have a sign on the out skirts that says maximum 8 hours parking. So you need to move ever 8 hours. As long as you are within the allocated parking spot.
A limit to self contained motor homes and caravans should be allowed in certain areas, the problem is campers in small rental vans camper vans tents and alike spoiling it for the responsible ones that are FULLY self contained and leave no trace.
I beg to differ Ron. I am a small van (toyota hiace lwb) traveller and I am fully self contained. You need to get your facts right before pointing the finger. Not everyone wants a big rig.
We live near the beach on Port Phillip Bay near Melbourne.
There’s a boat launching ramp along with a large bitumen carpark & toilet block nearby.
We get the occasional motorhome staying overnight.
There’s also a lookout near the harbour where people stay overnight sometimes.
It does no harm in my opinion as long as the numbers of overnighters are small.
If there were more low cost camping options for fully self contained vehicles then the problem would be greatly diminished
There is a difference between ‘camping’ and pulling up for a night as you’re tired. It’s not possible to get a camp site most of the time and $120 just to sleep is unaffordable so if you pull up and sleep in your van for the night it’s not setting up camp. It’s safety, most of us travelling have got tired and it’s a big risk to keep driving or pull up and sleep, but if councils are going to in-force fines for pulling over and sleeping then you’re going to see many many more accidents causing death on the roads thanks to them.