While many grey nomads argue the rules about taking dogs into national parks are too overarching, they pretty much universally behave responsibly.
And it pays to do so.
The penalties for breaking the rules have been highlighted by the case of a Cairns couple who have just been ordered to pay $1,501.40 for taking their kelpie onto Michaelmas Cay.
Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) said the couple took their dog to the remote islet in a small vessel before letting it ashore, posing a risk to one of the most important sea bird breeding areas on the Great Barrier Reef.
Back in 2022, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) marine park rangers were patrolling Michaelmas Reef off the coast of Cairns when they spotted the couple and their dog in the restricted area of Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park.
Michaelmas Cay provides critical habitat and breeding grounds for sea birds. PIC: DESI
The pair were charged with one count each of entering a restricted access area and bringing a domestic animal into a national park.
They have just appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court, where they both pleaded guilty to the offences.
The man was fined $300 and ordered to pay $551.40 for court proceedings. The woman was fined $200 and ordered to pay $450 for court proceedings.
QPWS Principal Ranger Dan Schaper said the court outcome was a strong reminder for visitors to be aware of the rules around where they can and cannot go, especially with pets.
“In general, if part of a national park is closed, it is closed for good reason, either to keep people safe or to protect the environment,” Mr Schaper said. “We also don’t allow pets into national parks because they can carry diseases or injure protected wildlife.
He said, in this case, Michaelmas Cay provides critical habitat and breeding grounds for sea birds, which nest all year round on the coastal outcrops and can be easily disturbed by people and especially by domestic animals.
“If disturbed, adult birds could abandon their chicks and eggs, leaving them vulnerable to predatory birds and sun exposure,” Mr Schaper said.
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No
No, give rhe wildlife priority.
Absolutely… NO…
No, National Parks are reserved for native wildlife, dogs don’t belong in them.
There are plenty of State Parks & Forests to stay in if you have a dog.
About time folk were fined for that sort of selfish behaviour & news of it spread far & wide. I love dogs, but national parks are not the place for them for good reason.
No, national parks are for our native wildlife.
Absolutely not. Keeping feral animals out (including pet ones) is the whole point of a national park! The message is if you are a dunce to the law stay home.
Very selfish, should have been fined more.
Well said
Agreed. Why is it that so many irresponsible people seem to believe that rules apply only to others? Doubling the fines and doubling the number of reports about the results of this behaviour may have an effect on members of the the the “not me” brigade that seems to prevail.
If there is reason, eg to protect a sensitive environment or species then yes, otherwise State Forest rules should apply.
Oops should have said No if sensitive otherwise yes
No. There are plenty of responsible dog owners but there are so many that are idiots like these people & deliberately ignore the rules.
National Parks need to permit animals to travel thru the park as long as they stay in the vehicle or chained to the vehicle. National parks are not the exclusive playground that many national parks staff treat them as. They are owned by the Australian citizens and managed by national parks authorities on our behalf.
I am sick of heavy handed rules that are created by pencil pushers in an office or in Canberra who don’t live in the real world, don’t think or act as regular citizens and adopt an elitist attitude when talking to other agencies and the public.
I have had many run ins with these fools and carry no respect for many of them!
They act as owners, not managers in my opinion.
i totally agree with you, driving through the park and staying in the vehicle.
I’m sick of people thinking the rules should not apply to them because they disagree. No dogs.
I agree, a lot of people think they and their dog are special and will not cause any damage, they’re unaware and unable to relate to anything else
Well said, I agree that these arbitrary rules are bureaucratic overreach.
Well said Rob
… and judging by the tone of your comment one can see why you’ve had so many confrontations with park rangers and managers ..
Disagree Robert, as leaving dogs alone in vehicles or caravans can attract fines from the RSPCA too. If travellers want to take their pets then leave them with pet sitters outside the parks, many caravan parks can arrange that service.
Really asking that question, ridiculous
Considering the number of feral criters roaming the parks (and for example the NSW bs protecting wild horses in Kosciusko NP) I think most people with family pets can control their mutts (leads minimum) and are no more of a threat to our wildlife. Most of the time they are just looking.
Funniest thing I,ve read all day.
Many cant even control their kids (or themselves)
The dogs off leash aren’t “just looking “ they will chase, possibly catch and kill. N P’s are for wildlife to live and breed in, not fun for animals and senseless people who will sanction the chasing,killing.
Dogs and cats stay out. Any off leash dogs could be considered “wild dogs” and be captured and put down. Same for cats.
In that particular case I definitely agree but generally I don’t see what’s wrong with taking a well behaved domestic dog on a lead into some national parks. After all there are all sorts of service/therapy dogs who are allowed so how come they also don’t pose a risk to wildlife. I know there are always the idiots who think rules don’t apply to them but that happens everywhere.
I agree 100%
Thank you. This is a common sense approach, as other countries do this, and it’s time to open the debate on responsible pet ownership in public places.
No why did they think it would be ok. Or they just didn’t they care.
That fine should be even greater. They are not above the law.
No They know the rules about dogs
Definitely NO. It’s bad enough having them in caravan parks without having to put up with them in any NP. Many people with dogs are considerate but like most things there are a few who think they are entitled to do whatever they want
Domestic animals should not be in national parks
No, no way should pets be allowed under any circumstances into National Parks.
It would be great if you could drive into a National Park and go for a walk so long as the dog never left the car, obviously not leaving the car in the hot sun, etc. All of the objections about dogs would then be addressed. I nearly always travel with my mate.
Yes! Trouble with national parks is that they are expanding or given to the so called first nation to a point where eventually we won’t be able to travel into any damn forest! Bureaucratic takeover encouraged by the UN.
No, as volunteers with DCBA in WA we see people flouting this law regularly if anything it needs fully enforced. Some of the areas we “work at” contain endangered species that need protecting
No, should have been fined more. People with dogs and other animals need to abide by the rules, leave the animals at home or in care. Dogs are animals not humans.
No, people need to respect rules , they are for a reason,
If it says “no dogs allowed “ guess what ?
NO DOGS ALLOWED
Absolutely not. Wildlife, ecosystem & not having dogs run up to you where irresponsible owners do not keep them on a lead.
Totally believe dogs should be banned from these areas. Had incident with backpacker a few years back. Free camping at beach at Burnie was by permit only, had to be fully self contained & no dogs allowed. Camping area had a penguin rookie, hence the rules. This person had 2 dogs which she allowed to roam free. No permit & no waste water entrapment. Unfortunately it was after hours so couldn’t advise tourist info, but she was gone very early next day. Rules are in place for a reason!
Reading through the comments, its not hard to work out who the entitled dog owners are.
The fines should be heavier for these selfish people!
I would like to be able to drive into the car parks of some Parks with the dog in the car so one of us could stay with the dog while the other goes for a look…then swap over. Otherwise, the rules are clear and fine by me.
Keeping the dog in the vehicle or on a short leash while you get to experience the environment would enable vulnerable people to see more of this great land. As an older single female my dog is my protector from potential human threats. Sticking to the white line is not my idea of seeing Australia.
So yes. Fully vaccinated dogs in vehicles passing through, fully restrained for day visits does not pose a threat to the environment.
Not for overnight camping though.
The wildlife needs protection from any predators that may be introduced into those national parks areas. No pet should be allowed to roam off or on leash that’s for sure. however at the time of us travelling I didn’t see the harm in driving through these areas if the pet is contained in a vehicle and the occupants do not stop within the National Park perimeter. We did make a mistake once when just sight seeing in our motor home driving around a small road that meandered through a ocean side area , we did not see the sign and we both thought the flora and fauna was quite beautiful to see. We didn’t stop at any point just went slowly the wild flowers were pretty to see and we managed to see a few lizards and a rather big dark looking snake slither across the road in front of us. We watched it go into the stubble beside the road. Bird life was busy with some beautiful small birds and some parrots that I’d never seen before. Anyway on the way out we spotted a sign saying no pets allowed . At that point I felt bad as we had our cat with us. She was in her Travel
Cage safely locked up So after our misdemeanour , it got me thinking about the sign and thought really we were safe driving through. But then some people won’t do the right thing will they …
Yes my first thought was if they were on a boat were there signs that said it was not allowed? Did they actually know? I guess it is buyer beware -if you don’t know -you should or you pay up.I am all for National Parks being for native animals not domestic pets but a place to leave your pet in many cases would be a good thing although not in this case of course as it seems it was both isolated and no people allowed at all….I guess the dog needed a pit stop though.(trying to look at it from both sides).
No. There are very good reasons for the restriction of domestic animals in National Parks. Wildlife should be given absolute priority. Even if you disagree with the rules no-one should believe they are above the law.
We have a friend with an assistance dog who won’t take her into a National Park, because after all she is a dog and also a pet.
I like dogs, have always had one until my last mate passed away. I didn’t get another for this very reason. Now I’m retired and travelling more. I do think a dog, if it remains in the vehicle with the occupants while they drive through the park to have a look is doing no harm. unfortunately there are those who would not comply with the rules and those are the people who ruin so much for so many.
It’s nice that we all want to protect the forrest and national parks, pity we let so many disease caring immigrants into our country and now our bees are at risk with diseases from around the world, now we have bird flu that threatens our egg and chicken. and apparently that has come from wild birds.Just saying.
Dogs No but Horses, okay? Go Figure!
When travelling North a Ranger told us ‘You can travers through a National Park with a dog as long as you are on a Designate public road. The public road is designated as One chain each side of the made surface.”
100% NO,
Absolutely not the rules are there for a reason if you ignore them suffer the consequences
Australia is out of step with other countries that do allow dogs on leashes in their national parks. Canada allows leashed dogs in all 46 of their national parks. The US National Park Service allows pets “in developed areas, on many trails and campgrounds, and in some lodging facilities”. The UK’s 15 national parks allow responsible dog-walkers to exercise their dog on a leash. And even South Africa permits dogs in a few selected national parks with restrictions to limited places. National parks in Australia have mostly been established to protect native vegetation or special landscape and geological features – not animal species. The statement that national parks are to protect wildlife is somewhat of a red herring – an excuse for government to control people’s recreational activities. The bottom line is “responsible pet ownership”, and it is time that Australia’s draconian rules for a blanket ban on pets in all national parks is overturned, in favour of common sense and personal responsibility.
Couldn’t agree more. Certain sensitive NP should be off limits and maybe not every campground. Thousands of tourists traipsing around, leaving their scent, toilet paper, cigarette butts, beer cans and general rubbish do a lot more damage,
Dogs in caravan parks need responsible owners, they let dogs bark at others and say “only saying hello” very annoying. Then they wait till dusk a take the dogs behind a tree or gazebo for its last for the day and don’t pick it up. Don’t like it when challenged.
Put up a dog bait warning and none will let a dog off a lead, Queensland has the biggest wild pig population I’ve ever seen in their national park along with the foxes’ wild cats unbelievable
On the Tanami track when leaving our camp at Wolff Creek Crater we saw a Ferral black cat the size of a small Panther.
Absolutely Not.
No. If we don’t protect the environment we won’t have one worth living in!
Tell that to the government destroying the land with temporary solar and wind ‘farms’. They do and will do far more damage than any dogs will!…but hey, their mates can make mega bucks from them so its OK!
The only pity I have for this couple was that they were not fined more. They obviously have the ‘I can do what I want and when and how I want to do it’ attitude. Sadly that impacts on the rest of us travellers, who by and large do the right thing.
National Parks are for native animals, not domesticated animals. Plenty of places for people with their animals to go.
No dogs means no dogs , we experienced a d/Head who did not contain his dog. Caught it having its morning poo and D/Head just stood there. Didn’t,t pick it up just keep walking so some little feet could stand in it and spoil their day. Got his rego number and date ,time ,place, and reported them. We travel with our cats . We have a 22,6″ caravan and a fold up baby cot with a secure net on top so they can have a look at around outside while being contained. It’s not rocket science.
Definitely NOT allow dogs in National Parks.
Some dog owners are responsible but we need to guard against the irresponsible ones.
It’s no good shutting the gate after the dog has got out.
Absolutely no dogs in National Parks. We spent 7 weeks in Tasmania earlier this year and met travellers with dogs in their motor homes who said they took their dogs into NPs and kept them on a lead – still NOT OK! In Lime Bay NP were two dogs in the shallow bay chasing swans for over an hour – no owners in sight. Just the scent of a dog can cause native animals to abandon their young. Agree with Rob above – go elsewhere with your dog. And increase the fines for those who transgress.
quick answer.NO.
They should have known the rules first place
I read a lot of people saying yes as long as dog is leashed, and there in lies the problem. Not everyone will leash their dog, or even control their dog. I have seen this on many occasions while camping, dogs allowed on leash, the signs say, but many don’t follow that one rule. They are the people you can thank for the universal rule of “no dogs allowed” in NP.
NO!!!!…far too many owners breaking laws that we all KNOW exist…off- leash dog walking in public places…NOT LAWFUL…taking dogs INTO public food service/prep areas…NOT LAWFUL…not picking up…NOT LAWFUL etcetc.
Our Council are going to start fining the recalcitrants…they don’t care what they can in the UKKK
I am fully supportive of our need to protect our wildlife and flora. However it needs to be said that the real owners of our National Parks are those who contribute financially to the upkeep and development of them, namely the Australian tax payer. So here’s the deal. Provide a forum for these ‘owners’ to be a part of the regulatory system that determines access. This includes dog owners. No reasonable thinking person is against the need to protect our vulnerable biodiversity but to put a blanket ban on dog owners in every square inch of ‘our’ NP’s without any form of bilateral negotiation is ludicrous. America and Canada are miles in front on this issue.
It pleases me to see QNPWS is cracking down on pets in National Parks. Dog owners seem to put their dogs and cats higher in importance than NATIVE WILDLIFE. Our Australian environment is indeed fragile and the dogs and cats can do irreparable damage, simply by their presence.