There will be rolling closures of a number of popular camping areas at Inskip Point, north of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
The Department of Environment and Science (DES) closed the Sarawak and Sarawak West camping areas on November 17, and those sites are due to re-open on December 3.
On the same date, the MV Beagle and MV Natone camping areas will close until December 17, at which point the SS Dorrigo camping area will then close until Christmas Eve.
Camper numbers will also be capped to existing bookings only in the remaining camping areas up until December 24.
The toilet facilities at the MV Beagle camping area are being cleaned regularly. PIC: Parks Queensland
The DES says reducing camper numbers and temporarily closing camping areas is part of its ongoing strategy to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis.
The moves were sparked by a gastro out break at the popular spot a few weeks ago, in which an elderly man nearly died after becoming infected and the bug somehow got into his bloodstream. Many other campers also reportedly suffered symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea
Facilities at Inskip Point are currently being cleaned twice each day as per Queensland Health guidelines.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers continue to conduct daily patrols at Inskip Point camping areas to monitor the mitigation measures.
Rangers also provide advice about the need for good personal hygiene to help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis. This includes thoroughly washing hands with soap and running water after using bathroom facilities and before preparing food.
People preparing to camp at Inskip Point are reminded to pack plenty of soap and fresh water in their camping kit.
An interdepartmental Taskforce consisting of representatives from DES, Queensland Health and Gympie Shire council meet daily to review the situation and mitigate the spread of gastroenteritis at the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area.
At the end of last year, two camping sites at Inskip were temporarily closed to allow a deep clean of facilities following a gastro outbreak.
And, of course, the problem isn’t restricted to Inskip point. Back in 2018, a number of camping sites along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road were affected by a nasty tummy bug.
This has been an ongoing problem since the new toilets were built. Why were they not built with flushing toilets. 4 meters down is all the water needed and 12 v pump recharged by solar. It’s not that hard.
Loved our holidays in Inskip Point.I would not return now.
We are now in WA and staying at many National Parks.
Qld needs to send a team over here to see their sanitary park systems.
They are excellent,cleaned regularly at all places.