Christmas is coming … and so too is a flurry of warnings to would-be illegal campers looking for places to park up for a night or two.
MidCoast Council on the NSW Mid North Coast has been quick off the mark this year, cautioning any visitors that rangers will be out in force during the holiday period, with a focus on illegal camping, illegal parking, driving on beaches without a permit, and rubbish dumping.
“While we want to welcome visitors, we also have a responsibility to our local communities and our environment,” said Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell. “We’ve increased the size of our ranger team and will be collaborating with NSW Police and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on enforcement activities …. the rules around parking, camping and beach use are there to make the holidays safer and easier for all.”
Council rangers will be out in force over the festive period. PIC; MidCoast Council
The council said rangers will be targeting illegal overnight camping, especially in Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens, Seal Rocks, Crowdy Head and Harrington areas. It is encouraging visitors to book their accommodation well ahead of time, and says failure to find accommodation is not an acceptable reason for illegal camping.
It says the introduction of number plate recognition technology since the last Christmas period has resulted in council rangers being able to be more effective when undertaking proactive parking patrols.
“Our vehicles fitted with this technology will be used to maximise coverage of high traffic tourist areas such as Forster and Seal Rocks and our rangers will be out and about at all times of the day, all days of the week, so those parking or camping illegally will be caught out,” said Mr De Szell.
The council says visitors should also check parking and beach signage and comply with local regulations. In past years, illegal parking has created traffic chaos, including roadblocks that compromise access for emergency services and waste collection.
Mr De Szell explained that Seal Rocks is surrounded by the Myall Lakes National Park, so Council does not have the land to increase parking and road capacity.
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We stay home over the summer and avoid the overpriced tourist traps all year long.
That is the way to go
Same here, being retired, we go for three months up North for the winter.
Living in a coastal town that doubles in size over Christmas holiday period, I have seen about 50 free campers at our surf club over 2025. Only one of those left a mess. (Toilet paper & food scraps, there is a toilet block 30 metres away & bins everywhere so no excuse!). When we free camp we usually leave the place cleaner than when we arrived, but avoid the coast in summer.
Spontaneity is a large part of the fun of travelling this wonderful country of us. We leave no trace, but remain very spontaneous and will continue to do so.
Drive South = Drive inland… simple