Travellers in Australia have been leaving their mark on the landscape for decades with grey nomads commonly coming across everything from rusted metal sculptures to ‘thong trees’ as they traverse the highways and byways of the bush.
There is also no shortage of graffiti, clothed termite mounds, litter, and much, much more. While a few may argue some of this behaviour is just quirky Aussie humour and ‘a bit of fun’, there is also a growing awareness of the potential environmental impact of Outback travellers.
The negative aspects of littering, graffiti, and nailing footwear to trees are pretty self-evident but there are fears that some tourists are also causing environmental harm without really realising it. For example, as in other parts of the world, travellers in Australia are increasingly engaging in the practice of stone stacking … that is piling rocks on top of each other. In some areas, these artistic creations have themselves become tourist attractions.
But there is now a growing backlash against the practice, with critics arguing it spoils pristine environments and could be a threat to wildlife.
“People are doing it with no education of the environment so they don’t know what site they’re in – whether the site has any wildlife significance or historic significance,” said John Hourston, founder of the Blue Planet Society. “The first rule of the environment is to leave no trace, and if we educated people to understand that philosophy I think they would have second thoughts about making a personal statement with a rock stack.”
The problem it seems is that – as more and more people head Outback – what was once a quirky bit of fun, becomes a serious issue as everybody starts to do the same thing. Some liken it to collecting sea shells. While the sheer volume of shells on beaches seems overwhelming, research in Europe has shown that within a few years, as tourism has increased, there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of shells on many beaches.
Researchers warn the removal of shells from beaches could damage ecosystems and endanger organisms that rely on them for survival. While it is legal to collect seashells from Australian beaches provided they are not occupied by living creatures, there are restrictions for certain geographical areas and places like national parks.
And so, grey nomads must continue to tread the very fine line between having fun and enjoying their travels, and doing the right thing by the land they love. Traveller Adrian Paul admits that his attitude has changed.
“I used to have a chuckle at the odd decorated termite mound, especially if it’s done with a bit of humour,” he said. “But it’s got too much now … they are everywhere and, in such a beautiful country, it seems wrong.”
For goodness sake let’s lighten up. I would rather see a bra on a termite mound than crappy graffiti all over everything. As long as it’s not on sacred ground or radically destroying country, let’s get a bit of fun and harmless mischief back in our lives.
Scary Kitty, I think, agrees with the associated comments re: enviro vandalism. I worked in natural areas protection for many decades, pre-retirement & still continue to do so. Motto was “all we leave are our footprints”. However, there is a place to lighten up, as Kitty suggests.
I have come across persons whom left beautiful environmental art, such as someone anonymous who left intricate works displayed from sticks & stones & soil around our work site each morning. Turned out, this person was homeless & highly creative, and camped near an environmental park I was working on near Caloundra Q. The team agreed we would respect the passive expression as being poignant. Nothing other than natural material, with minimal impact to the environment.
A bloke I admire in NZ, whom does environmental art & sculpture, on a large scale, is Chris Booth. I’m an Aussie, but his vision is worth consideration in this forum. https://www.chrisbooth.co.nz/
Personally I feel stacking rocks and putting clothes on trees or termite mounds is not in tune with the environment, it is meaningless. Quite often the clothes become unsightly as they wear, they area becomes a mess. Not something I want to see or take pictures of.
100% agree
There’s hardly a termite mound left in the Top End from Daly Waters to Pine Creek that someone has dressed up…
It started off a bit of a joke here and there…but now its gone rampent..and its an eyesore on our beautiful outback country landscape.
Its really got out of hand…leave the bush alone…!
Have you ever seen an animal caught in nylon thread? I have and managed to save some, while others died.
All those pieces of clothing left on the Termite mounds won’t bio-degrade. They’ll fall apart and leave deadly traps for birds and small animals.
It should be treated like what it is… littering and vandalism.
I used to have a chuckle at these antics. But now I definitely agree with “LEAVE NO TRACE”
Their are a lot of people who can`t smile or have a laugh. All done in good old fashion fun.
It’s not “good old fashioned fun” when the material degrades & litters the countryside. It may have been amusing as a one of but now it’s become so prevalent it’s just an eyesore & a blight on the natural landscape.
So, a niche enterprise opportunity emerges. Biodegradable bras and nickers for termite mounds, cardboard thongs for the thong trees, drop bears made of straw for gumtrees. Sell them at tourist spots in the NT. It could go somewhere, you know…
It is environmental vandalism and littering. All good points raised regarding the danger to the wildlife. When I see stacks of rocks created by morons I knock them over. I’m out in the bush to experience the bush, not view senseless vandalism by disrespectful humans.
Should we knock over every cairn that is located on top of some of our mountains. Those that are built loosely from dry stacked rock?
Whatever happened to ‘leave no trace and take only memories’ as a good motto for all who travel in our wilderness. I can understand that some may find it humorous but it is has now become so rampant that it is a blight on the environment. I want to see our environment in as pristine condition as possible and i think that I am not alone in this.
I think it should be viewed as littering. The people who do this may as well have thrown a bag of clothes out their car window as they are driving along.
Just please don’t. The scenery does not need your input to make it more attractive does it?