With the holiday season upon us, a spotlight will once again be shone on the issue of camper behaviour and general respect for others and the environment.
Sadly, a lack of consideration and commonsense is still an all-too-common theme, especially when people get out into more remote areas like national parks and state forests.
In Queensland, rangers will conduct a compliance crackdown over the Christmas break and are appealing for visitors to show courtesy to other campers and day visitors.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation says that issues are ongoing.
Camping outside of camping areas is very much frowned upon. PIC : DETSI
National parks are not places for camping cats! PIC: DETSI
It says that, for example, since the middle of July in 2023, rangers have issued 216 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) with a value of $63,363 to visitors at Conondale National Park, Imbil State Forest and Jimna State Forest alone.
Remote cameras have captured footage showing antisocial behaviour including excessive drinking, loud music, inappropriate use of fire, and littering in and around camping areas. People have also been filmed illegally clearing roadblocks to take their vehicles into restricted access areas and driving with unrestrained passengers.
There have been fines issued for camping without a permit, camping outside designated camping areas, and bringing domestic cats and dogs into camping areas.
Other penalties have been issued for illegal campfires and using bush timber for illegal campfires.
This camper set up outside of a designated camping area and then started a campfire next to grass! PIC: DETSI
Senior Ranger Aaron Jensen said although most visitors to the beautiful Kenilworth region treated camping areas with respect, rangers were disappointed by some of the behaviour.
“The ongoing popularity of camping areas at Teewah Beach, K’gari and Bribie Island has boosted visitation to the Kenilworth region,” he said. “Rangers are providing ongoing education to visitors, cleaning up rubbish they leave behind and repairing camping areas and other infrastructure.”
Mr Jensen said the roads were closed in protected areas to keep people safe, and the worry was that someone will get hurt if they continue to ignore safety signs.
“Our protected areas attract national and international tourists, and people need to respect these areas and other visitors,” he said.
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Most people do the right thing.
Over the past 15 years that we’ve been retired & travelling the worst offenders would by far be stealth campers in motor homes camping illegally.
Camera’s a bit creepy. When you are in the bush and you think that you are alone so you don’t bother with closing the blinds before you get undressed or hubby takes a leak outside. Don’t do any of the other things mentioned but never thought our privacy would be invaded in the bush.