The issue of campsite etiquette has once again been thrust into the spotlight following a violent incident at a remote campsite off the Great Ocean Road.
Malcolm Woodford, 45, was struck on the back of the head with a shovel after he got into a dispute with a camping couple on Easter Sunday. Mr Woodford needed stitches for the wound, while the couple have since disappeared.
While this is clearly an extreme case, it appears that campgrounds are places where conflict and confrontations can – and do – occur.
Andrew McDougall, a Parks Victoria senior ranger, told the Age newspaper that there has too often had to intervene in disputes or call police.
‘‘I’ve seen or had to manage disputes between campers over access to camping areas, access to boat ramps, people unhappy about noise, unhappy about dogs, people blocking other people’s views,’’ he said. “‘Over the years I’ve seen all sorts of silly things.”
Mr McDougall is the area chief ranger for Northern Hume, taking in 500 kilometres of Murray riverbank from Wodonga to Echuca. He told the Age he had seen people angered when they secure an idyllic river view, only for another group to ruin it by setting up in front of them.
‘‘Dogs also start a lot of fights,” he said. “Some people are happy to have dogs on leads, other people let their dogs run wild because they’re in the bush … dogs urinate on tents and defecate in people’s camps and that causes huge conflicts.’’
He says often offenders ‘turn their brains off’ and are blind to other people’s rights and enjoyment. Other common flashpoints include generators, jetskis and music.
“For campers to coexist peacefully the camper code needs to be observed,” said Mr McDougall. “Respect, personal space, courtesy, self-awareness and treating others how you like to be treated.”’
He was eager to acknowledge that most veteran campers understood ‘the etiquette of being nice and polite and thinking about your fellow campers’.
The Age reports that other etiquette advice given by Mr McDougall included: giving fellow campers space; observing rules about dogs; respecting other campers; and throwing rubbish in bins or taking it with you.
My biggest problem is people who let their dogs run loose. Recently at Waruma dam, I had dogs rush at me on two occasions. One occasion three small dags rushed out under caravan snapping and snarling at my ankles. The idiot owner said they wouldn’t bite, they would just lick me. As if I want to be licked by some animal that has just been licking its rear end. Why cant these people just keep their dogs on a leash, what part of “dogs must be kept on a leash at all times” do they think does not apply to them. On both occasions both owners seem to think I was the problem, I was only walking the track to the toilet. JUST KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH AS PER THE RULES!.
Yes, had plenty of disputes with morons who think that loud music at 7am is acceptable, morons who think that playing guitars loudly at 11pm is acceptable, morons who allow their kids to scream while running up and down everyone else’s campsite and morons who think that everyone in the campsite wants to listen to their choice of loud music. Unfortunately those morons are not the types that would ever read this forum.
Yep I am with Greg. Had backpackers pull in early evening and turned up the music while they set up their tent. The car was that close to my van that they had trouble opening the car door. The music was that loud we were unable to here our tv. When asked if they could here my tv they replied no. I advised them neither could I could they turn the music down to which I was told to F OFF. I explained about fire and tents, and well the music was turned down. Following morning it was me that had the problem and that I should show more respect to other campers????
Total agree
Music is definately one of my main bug bears. When you go to a caravan park or camp site to relax i certainly dont want to hear music all over the park. Unfortunately i did have to ask a couple who had the back of the wagon opened with a sterio playing music. I was half way down the other end of the park and still heard it. I waited for a couple of hours and it went on and on. I was just getting over breast cancer and my nerves were already stretched. All i wanted was a nice quiet and peaceful place to relax. Even the manager of the park did nothing and after telling hhim i asked them to turn it down he commented “i was wondering if anyone would complain.” Wouldnt you think if he could hear it he should have went straight to them and asked them to turn it down. Not happy Jan!!!!!
It’s all about selfishness and total lack of awareness. Early morning radio. (Usually the ABC) Older gents carrying on a conversation when they are 40 metres apart. Then there are the usuals. Generators, loud music, barking dogs and slamming doors etc. I am 65 and find some of the worst offenders are around my vintage, both male and female gender. Camping/caravaning is a great way of life, however perhaps we should consider others. Not likely to happen in this day and age.
What do you do when next door step out of their van to smoke which stinks up your van? Prett y sure if asked to walk further away they would object.
Ok I have a few questions question mark why is it that I have seen probably 75% of people Park as close to each other as possible if the idea is to go camping would you not want some space privacy why do you need pull up fly feet from the next van and park on someone else’s ass it’s the same like pulling up to my tent or next to my tent and then bitching at me because your Pekingese Shih Tzus whatever else you’ve got that’s got small dog syndrome what’s to pick on my Roddy’s and my Rottweilers are only doing their job by barking they’re not being aggressive they’re not being nasty there just saying what are you doing on my spot and they soon stop question 2 I honestly have to ask why is it that’s some people feeling need to buy BS caravans off-roaders are these literally the bigger the better like look at me but they have absolutely no idea how to park the vehicle because literally I’ve seen so many blokes have 6789 goes at reversing a caravan then the wife had a few goes and then it’s taken three or four people to actually get them to back in and it’s still taking an extra few goes on that one like seriously if you buy it at least be able to drive it at least be able to park it question 3 why is it that nobody will stand up to these arsehole backpackers literally I have encountered a few and I have had absolutely no problem in telling them to shut the bloody how up turn the music off clean up the camp otherwise I would happily be the biggest b**** in the world and knock them the hell out if they are rude and can’t follow can’t rules they don’t need to be there and we as a group if we literally proud Australians should stand forth and say no not going to happen get out if you literally have a few people that is not likely to be an outside Rubble cause they’re going to s*** themselves
I have an issue with selfish grey nomads who think it’s ok to walk through someone else’s campsite, generally in van parks. Now most nomads have caravans which afford plenty of privacy. When you’re in a small van, you open the door to your BEDROOM! Nomads have no respect and walk right past the open door, have a good look in and walk away. This is RUDE and disrespectful. Who do you think you are FFS? We encountered this every day during our 5 months on the road.
Another issue is those who empty PEE BUCKETS in the toilets. Why oh why can’t you use the dump point. This is disgusting and unhygienic.